Before you play golf at any golf course you will need to determine your Course Handicap based on your current Handicap Index. 

This is done by looking up your Handicap Index on the Course Handicap table for the tees that you will be playing from and the number of holes being played (18 or 9).   When only playing nine holes there is a separate Course Handicap table for each of the front and back nines so ensure that you chose the correct chart.

The Playing Handicap determines the number of strokes each player gives or receives in various competition formats, to ensure that all players can enjoy a fair and equal game when playing with or competing against one another.

The Playing Handicap is used to create the scores for the competition leader board. 

In a medal competion it is the playing handicap that is deducted from your gross score to give your nett score and determine the competition leader board. 

In a stableford competition the playing handicap determines where you receive strokes to determine your points score on a hole for the purposes of the competiton leader board

In a match play competition the difference between Playing Handicaps determines the number of shots given/received by competitors in the match.    

VERY IMPORTANT: In all stroke play competitons it is the Course Handicap which is used to determine your the Gross Adjusted score for any hole. 

In a stableford competion you should only pick up when you have run out of shots based on your Course Handicap.