How to Calculate New Peoria Handicaps | The Formula, Choosing Hidden Holes, a Handicap Chart, a Worked Example, Double Peoria vs Peoria, Double Par Cap, Limit 36 and Tie-Breaks
The New Peoria system is the most common way to score a Japanese golf competition. The handicap formula is usually written as "(total of the 12 hidden holes × 1.5 − course par) × 0.8", but once you are the organiser the details get tricky: how do you pick the hidden holes, when do the double par cap and the handicap limit of 36 kick in, and who wins when two net scores are equal? This guide covers the steps for working out handicaps and net scores, how to choose the hidden holes, what the × 1.5 and × 0.8 actually do, a chart of handicaps for each hidden-hole total, a worked leaderboard for a four-player competition, local rules such as the double par cap, handicap limit, rounding and negative handicaps, how New Peoria differs from Double Peoria and 6-hole Peoria, and tie-breaks and prizes such as skip prizes, the booby prize and best gross, all with numbers we actually calculated.
The short answer: New Peoria handicap = (hidden-hole total × 1.5 − par) × 0.8
The New Peoria system lets players without official handicaps compete fairly by setting each player's handicap from that day's scores. Twelve of the 18 holes are chosen as "hidden holes" and kept secret until play is over. Then they are announced, and each player's handicap is worked out from their scores on those 12 holes. There are four steps.
- 1
Add up the scores on the 12 hidden holes
A disaster hole is usually counted as no more than double par (the double par cap). A 9 on a par 4 counts as 8.
- 2
Multiply the total by 1.5
This stretches 12 holes' worth of scores to 18 holes (18 ÷ 12 = 1.5).
- 3
Subtract the course par and multiply by 0.8
On a par-72 course, subtract 72 and multiply what is left by 0.8. The result is the handicap. If it is over the limit (36 is common), it stops at the limit.
- 4
Subtract the handicap from the gross to get the net
Net = gross (actual strokes over 18 holes) − handicap. The lowest net score wins.
The formula is simple, but with 20 or 30 players, working out each one on a calculator takes time and invites copying mistakes. The New Peoria Handicap Calculator handles everything from drawing the hidden holes to handicaps, net scores and the leaderboard, and it can also show every step of the formula for a single player.
What × 1.5 and × 0.8 do: the system gives better players a slight edge
The "× 1.5 − par" part uses the 12 hidden holes to estimate how many strokes over par this player shoots over 18 holes. Without the final × 0.8, everyone who played the hidden holes at their own average pace would end up with a net of 72, and skill would make no difference at all. So only 80% of the estimated gap becomes the handicap, and the other 20% is left in as a reward for skill.
Here are the handicap and net for players who played the hidden holes at exactly their average pace for the day (hidden-hole total = gross × 48 ÷ 72).
| Gross | Hidden-hole total (at average pace) | Handicap | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 48 | 0 | 72.0 |
| 80 | about 53.3 | 6.4 | 73.6 |
| 90 | 60 | 14.4 | 75.6 |
| 100 | about 66.7 | 22.4 | 77.6 |
| 110 | about 73.3 | 30.4 | 79.6 |
| 120 | 80 | 36 (limit) | 84.0 |
At average pace, 10 strokes of gross become 2 strokes of net (net ≈ 72 + (gross − 72) × 0.2). In other words, New Peoria closes about 80% of the skill gap and leaves the rest to luck with the hidden holes and form on the day. A player who shoots 100 wins when they happened to struggle on the hidden holes (and so got a big handicap) or scored well on the other six.
Handicap chart by hidden-hole total (par 72)
This chart gives the handicap for each hidden-hole total on a par-72 course. Two strokes of a New Peoria (12-hole) total give the same handicap as one stroke of a Peoria (6-hole) total, so both are in one table. It uses a handicap limit of 36 and one decimal place.
| New Peoria total (12 holes) | Peoria total (6 holes) | Handicap |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | 24 | 0 |
| 50 | 25 | 2.4 |
| 52 | 26 | 4.8 |
| 54 | 27 | 7.2 |
| 56 | 28 | 9.6 |
| 58 | 29 | 12.0 |
| 60 | 30 | 14.4 |
| 62 | 31 | 16.8 |
| 64 | 32 | 19.2 |
| 66 | 33 | 21.6 |
| 68 | 34 | 24.0 |
| 70 | 35 | 26.4 |
| 72 | 36 | 28.8 |
| 74 | 37 | 31.2 |
| 76 | 38 | 33.6 |
| 78 | 39 | 36.0 |
| 80 or more | 40 or more | 36 (limit; calculated 38.4 and up) |
In New Peoria each extra stroke adds 1.2, so an odd total not in the chart sits halfway between its neighbours (61 gives 15.6, 65 gives 20.4). A 12-hole total of 78, an average of 6.5 strokes a hole, is exactly where the handicap reaches the limit of 36. With a limit of 40 the cap starts at a total of 82 (calculated 40.8 → 40), and with a limit of 48 it starts at 88.
On courses other than par 72 the number you subtract changes, so the handicaps shift. On a par-71 course the same total of 64 gives (96 − 71) × 0.8 = 20.0, 0.8 more than on par 72. A handy rule: one less par on the course means everyone's handicap goes up by 0.8.
Worked example: a leaderboard for a four-player competition
This uses the par-72 course from the earlier section, with hidden holes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16 and 18. The settings are a handicap limit of 36, the double par cap, one decimal place, and lower handicap first when net scores tie.
| Rank | Player | Out / In | Gross | Hidden-hole total | Handicap | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 51 / 51 | 102 | 72 | 28.8 | 73.2 |
| 2 | C | 38 / 38 | 76 | 50 | 2.4 | 73.6 |
| 3 | A | 45 / 45 | 90 | 60 | 14.4 | 75.6 |
| 4 | D | 60 / 58 | 118 | 81 (actually 82) | 36 (calculated 39.6) | 82.0 |
- B: hidden total 72 → 72 × 1.5 = 108 → 108 − 72 = 36 → 36 × 0.8 = 28.8. Gross 102 − 28.8 = 73.2. B was 24 over the hidden par of 48 but took only 30 on the other six holes (par 24), so the handicap came out larger than B's real level and B won from behind
- C: hidden total 50 → 75 − 72 = 3 → 2.4. A gross of 76 is the best of the four, so C takes best gross. But the net of 73.6 is 0.4 behind B, so C is second
- A: 45 out and 45 in, and an exactly average hidden total of 60 → handicap 14.4, net 75.6. These are the same numbers as the gross-90 row in the earlier table
- D: took 9 on the par-4 5th, but the double par cap counts it as 8, so the hidden total is 81, not 82. 81 × 1.5 = 121.5 → 49.5 × 0.8 = 39.6, but the limit stops it at 36, giving a net of 82.0
As this shows, the gross order (C → A → B → D) and the net order (B → C → A → D) often differ under New Peoria. Whether C gets both the winner's prize and the best gross prize, or the prizes don't double up and pass to the next player, is something to decide before the competition.
Local rules: double par cap, handicap limit, rounding and negative handicaps
The basic formula is the same everywhere, but the details vary between competitions and course scoring services. These four make the biggest difference to results, so settle them in the invitation or the pre-round briefing.
| Rule | Most common | Alternatives | Example numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cap per hidden hole | Up to double par (double par cap) | Up to par + 3 (triple bogey), no cap | 6 on a par 3, 8 on a par 4, 10 on a par 5 |
| Handicap limit | 36 | 40, 48, no limit | 36 from a total of 78, 40 from 82, 48 from 88 |
| Rounding | One decimal place | Round to a whole number, round down | Total 61 → 15.6 / 16 / 15 |
| Negative handicaps | Set to 0 | Keep negative (net is higher than gross) | Total 46 → −2.4 → 0 |
The double par cap applies only to the handicap calculation. The gross (actual strokes over 18 holes) still counts every stroke on a disaster hole. With a cap of par + 3 (triple bogey), the limit on a par 4 drops from 8 to 7, so a disaster hole adds less to the handicap.
Keeping one decimal place means fewer ties on net. Rounding to whole numbers is easier to work out but produces more ties, so the tie-break in the next section matters more. Negative handicaps go to strong players who beat par on the hidden holes. Setting them to 0 is usual, but competitions that want to separate strong players properly sometimes keep them negative.
New Peoria vs Double Peoria vs 6-hole Peoria
The Peoria system goes by several names. The original "Peoria" uses 6 hidden holes. "New Peoria" and "Double Peoria" increase that to 12 to reduce the luck involved.
| System | Hidden holes | Handicap formula (par 72) | Handicap per hidden-hole stroke |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria | 6 holes (one par 3, one par 5, four par 4s; par 24) | (total × 3 − 72) × 0.8 | 2.4 |
| New Peoria | 12 holes (total par 48) | (total × 1.5 − 72) × 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Double Peoria | 12 holes (6 from each nine, each with one par 3, one par 5 and four par 4s) | (total × 1.5 − 72) × 0.8 | 1.2 |
New Peoria and Double Peoria use the same formula and are treated as the same thing at most competitions. Strictly, Double Peoria specifies the "6 from each nine" selection, while New Peoria is often described as "12 holes with a total par of 48". That is the only difference, and New Peoria competitions today normally pick 6 from each nine anyway.
With fewer hidden holes, 6-hole Peoria lets one hole swing the handicap a lot. We simulated a player averaging par + 1.35 strokes a hole (an average gross of about 96), drawing new hidden holes and new random scores 20,000 times. The spread of net scores (standard deviation) was about 2.2 strokes under New Peoria and about 4.2 under Peoria, roughly double. Peoria suits a small, fun competition where luck is part of the appeal, and New Peoria suits one where skill should count too.
Tie-breaks and prizes: skip prizes, the booby prize and best gross
How to rank players with the same net score should be decided before the competition. The three most common methods are:
- Lower handicap first: the player with the lower handicap (that is, the better gross) ranks higher. This is the one you see most often
- Older player first: common at company and social competitions
- Same rank: split the prize or settle it with rock, paper, scissors
Other methods include ranking by the better back nine, or comparing scores hole by hole backwards from the 18th (a countback). Whichever you choose, one line in the invitation saves arguments on the day.
| Prize | Who gets it | Common points to settle |
|---|---|---|
| Winner, runner-up, 3rd | 1st to 3rd on net | Whether the best gross player can also take one |
| Skip prizes | Chosen places, such as 5th, 10th or lucky 7th | How many, depending on the number of players |
| Booby prize | Second from last | What happens if the last-placed player withdraws |
| Last place prize | Last place | Often given alongside the booby prize |
| Best gross | The fewest actual strokes | Sometimes not combined with net prizes |
| Nearest the pin, longest drive | Closest to the pin on a chosen par 3, longest drive on a chosen hole | Decided on the course, regardless of score |
With only a few players, the booby and last place prizes overlap with the top prizes. The tool gives the booby and last place prizes only when there are 5 or more players, and gives skip prizes to the places you choose (4th or lower and above the booby prize). For the same kind of handicap ranking at a bowling event, see how to set handicaps for a bowling tournament.
The organiser's workflow: from the draw to the results
If you are scoring New Peoria yourself instead of using the course's scoring service, the New Peoria Handicap Calculator lets you work through it like this.
- 1
Set the par of all 18 holes
The default is a common par-72 layout. Check the scorecard and change only the holes that differ.
- 2
Choose the system and draw the hidden holes
Choose New Peoria / Double Peoria (12 holes) or Peoria (6 holes) and press "Draw hidden holes". Switch on "Hide the hidden holes" during play.
- 3
Choose the local rules
Match the double par cap, handicap limit, rounding, negative handicaps, tie-break and skip prize places to the rules in the invitation.
- 4
Enter the scores
Enter strokes hole by hole, or use "Paste from Excel or a spreadsheet" to load a whole table at once. As long as each line has a name and 18 hole scores, columns for out, in and total subtotals are skipped.
- 5
Check the leaderboard and announce the results
Handicaps, net scores, ranks and prizes are filled in automatically. Copy the results to share in a group chat, or save them as CSV for the prize-giving.
The most common scoring mistakes are copying a hidden-hole score wrongly and forgetting the double par cap. If someone asks whether their handicap is right, enter their hidden-hole total and gross in the tool's "One-player handicap" tab to show every step of the formula.
FAQ
- How do you calculate a New Peoria handicap?
- Multiply the total of the 12 hidden holes by 1.5 to stretch it to 18 holes, subtract the course par (usually 72) and multiply by 0.8. For a total of 64: 64 × 1.5 = 96, 96 − 72 = 24, 24 × 0.8 = 19.2, so the handicap is 19.2. With a gross of 95, the net is 95 − 19.2 = 75.8.
- How are the hidden holes chosen?
- The standard is 6 holes from each nine, each set with one par 3, one par 5 and four par 4s, giving a hidden par of 48 over 12 holes. Keep them secret from the players until play is over, and draw them before seeing any scores.
- What is the difference between New Peoria and Double Peoria?
- Both use 12 hidden holes and the same formula, (total × 1.5 − par) × 0.8. Double Peoria specifies 6 holes from each nine, while New Peoria is often described as 12 holes with a total par of 48, but competitions treat them as practically the same.
- How is 6-hole Peoria calculated?
- Multiply the total of the 6 hidden holes (par 24) by 3, subtract par and multiply by 0.8. For a total of 30: 30 × 3 = 90, 90 − 72 = 18, 18 × 0.8 = 14.4, so the handicap is 14.4. Each hidden-hole stroke moves the handicap by 2.4, so luck plays a bigger part than in New Peoria.
- At what hidden-hole total does the handicap reach the limit of 36?
- In New Peoria on a par-72 course, a 12-hole total of 78 (6.5 strokes a hole on average) gives exactly 36, and anything higher still stops at 36. In 6-hole Peoria it is a total of 39. With a limit of 40 the cap starts at a New Peoria total of 82, and with 48 at 88.
- What is the double par cap?
- It limits the score counted on each hidden hole to double par: 6 on a par 3, 8 on a par 4 and 10 on a par 5. It is used only for the handicap calculation. The gross still counts actual strokes.
- Does New Peoria favour weaker players?
- No. Because of the × 0.8, players who play the hidden holes at their average pace close only 2 strokes of net for every 10 strokes of gross, so better players have a slight edge. A high scorer finishes on top when they struggled on the hidden holes and got a big handicap, or scored well on the other holes.
- How are ties on net score broken?
- The most common methods are lower handicap first (better gross) and older player first. Some competitions compare the back nine or count back from the 18th hole. Decide before the competition and write it in the invitation.
- How do you calculate it on a course that isn't par 72?
- Replace 72 in the formula with the course's par. On a par-71 course it is (total × 1.5 − 71) × 0.8, so a total of 64 gives a handicap of 20.0. One less par means everyone's handicap goes up by 0.8.
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