How Does the Quota System Work in Golf? An Exciting Way To Level the Playing Field and Maximize Enjoyment

The quota system is a format that differs from the standard stroke play format of golf. It can give golfers a new way to play the game and make the game more enjoyable and level the playing field for golfers competing against one another. So, how does the quota system work in golf? Let’s discuss.

What Is the Quota System?

The quota system is used as an alternative to stroke play for tournaments, team events, and just by weekend golfers to have more fun with their playing group. The quota system is a fun way to change up golf for those interested and can level the playing field between players of different skill levels.

Instead of golf terms like bogey, par, birdie, and eagle representing their usual scores of +1, even, -1, or -2 during a round of golf, they can be assigned a point value instead. The better the score on a hole, the more points a player receives, thus adding to their overall point total for the round.

Example Point System:

• Bogey – 1 point
• Par – 2 points
• Birdie – 4 points
• Eagle – 8 points

How Does the Quota System Work in Golf?

A golfer’s quota can be determined in a couple of different ways; however, usually, a golfer’s quota is figured by subtracting their official course handicap from 36 and making this number the point quota they must meet before gaining any plus points on the round. In other words, the lower a golfer’s handicap, the higher their point quota will be, which levels the playing field for a higher handicap golfer to compete against even a scratch golfer. 

Example:

For instance, a golfer with a 16 handicap would have a point quota of 20 (36 – 16 = 20); from here, the point total will be used as a benchmark for determining how well they played. If the golfer scores 28 points during their round they will be +8 for the round. In the standard stroke play version of golf, a positive score is considered inferior to a negative or under-par score. However, the more points a player earns above their pre-round point quota, the better in the quota system. 

Alternative Version

There is another version of the quota system that is sometimes used for individual groups or in tournaments. In this version, every player’s handicap is the starting pre-round point total, and all players are trying to beat 36 points.

Player A

Player A has a handicap of 12, so they will begin their round with 12 points. During the match, Player A scored 26 points, making their post score point total 38 points (12 + 26 = 38), so Player A is +2 for their round because they beat 36 by 2 points.

Player B

Player B has a handicap of 16, so they begin their round with 16 points. During the match, Player B scores 26 points, giving them a post-round point total of 42 points. Player B’s point total of 42 means they are +6 on their round since they beat 36 by six points.

Player A vs Player B

If Player A and Player B were playing a match against one another, Player B would beat Player A by 4 points, making Player B the winner. In this example, we can see how a player with a higher handicap (Player B) can still compete and potentially beat a player with a lower handicap (Player A), which is why the quota system is a popular alternative to stroke or match play in golf. 

Team Quota Golf

If used in a golf tournament, the quota system is determined the same way for each golfer; however, at the end of the tournament or event, the point total from each player on a team is added together to get the total team point score. The team with the most points wins. 

Stableford Format

The Stableford format uses the point quota system; however, in a Stableford, strokes are allocated to players before the round. The number of strokes each player receives is based on their handicap; the strokes are given on a hole-to-hole basis based on the stroke index of a given hole. For instance, if a player has a 5 handicap, the player is given five strokes beginning on the hole with a handicap or stroke index of 1, then the hole with an index of 2, and so forward. Players with handicaps greater than 18 will be given more than one stroke on holes and players with plus handicaps will be penalized strokes on holes based on their handicaps. For example, a player with a plus 3 handicap will be deducted one point on the 16, 17, and 18 index holes (not to be confused with holes 16, 17, and 18), so they will begin with a negative number to make the game even against players with higher handicaps.

Once the strokes are allocated correctly for each player, the basic rules of the quota system in golf are used for scoring and determining a winner.

Chicago Format

The Chicago format is a another way to use the quota system for playing golf with one change: in the Chicago format players will start with a negative number of points. The best players (scratch players) begin their rounds with -40 points, then points are added based on the handicap of the player. For example, a golfer with a 15 handicap will begin their round with -25 in the Chicago format.

Once the points are allocated, golfers use the quota system to determine scoring and a winner.

Why Use The Quota System?

The quota system in golf is an easy, verifiable way for golfers of various skill levels to compete against one another in a fun way on the golf course.

For more information on different golf scoring forms, check out the article I wrote comparing stroke play and match play. Also, check out the many other articles on instruction and the game in general, so you can start improving your golf game.