What Is a Handicap in Golf? (How It Works)
A golf handicap is a number measuring a player's ability so golfers of different levels compete fairly. Here is how the World Handicap System works.
Author
Jack Beatnik
Tennis Writer
Writing since 2020
72 articles
Jack Beatnik is a tennis writer who has spent more than five years covering the sport he loves most. He is drawn to longer, reflective pieces — the kind that give him room to explore the rivalries, ideas and personalities that shape the game — and his work ranges from ATP Tour power rankings and opinion essays on tennis culture to long-form “Story Behind the Player” profiles of figures such as Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Maria Sakkari and Hubert Hurkacz. Away from the court, Jack also writes regularly on basketball and football.
Areas of expertise
Tennis
ATP Tour
WTA Tour
Long-form Profiles
Basketball
Football
Also published at Last Word on Sports
Latest from Jack Beatnik
What Is LBW in Cricket? (Leg Before Wicket Explained)
LBW (leg before wicket) is a way to be out in cricket when the ball hits the batter's body and would have gone on to hit the stumps.
What Is an Eagle in Golf?
An eagle in golf is a score of two strokes under par on a single hole. Here is how an eagle compares to a birdie, an albatross, and par.
What Is a Touchback in Football?
A touchback in football is a dead-ball play worth no points; the receiving team takes over at a set yard line. Here is how it differs from a safety.
What Is a Pit Stop in F1?
A pit stop in F1 is when a driver enters the pit lane so the crew can change tires in seconds. Here are the tire-compound rule and pit-lane speed limit.
What Is a Hail Mary in Football?
A Hail Mary in football is a long, desperation forward pass thrown toward the end zone as time runs out, hoping for a last-second touchdown.
F1 Points System Explained (2026)
The F1 points system in 2026 awards 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 to the top ten, and the fastest-lap bonus point no longer exists. Here is how scoring works.
Yellow Card vs Red Card in Soccer: What's the Difference?
A yellow card is a caution; a red card ejects a player who cannot be replaced. Here is what each card means in soccer and how they differ.
What Is DRS in F1? (Drag Reduction System)
DRS (Drag Reduction System) opened an F1 car's rear wing to cut drag and help overtaking within one second of the car ahead. Here is how it worked.
What Is a Penalty Kick in Soccer?
A penalty kick in soccer is a direct free shot from 12 yards (11 m) with only the goalkeeper to beat. Here is exactly how Law 14 works.
What Is Esports? A Beginner's Guide
Esports is organized, competitive video gaming played by pro players and teams in leagues and tournaments. Here is how it works and the main game genres.
What Is a Derby in Soccer?
A derby in soccer is a match between local or historic rivals. Learn what makes a game a derby, the types of rivalry, and why derbies mean so much.