Formulas
Reference for the Riccio models used by this calculator. Baseline and Advanced tabs show the answer only — the maths lives here.
Baseline (Eq. 1) (GIR only)
Score = 95 − 2 × GIR
Riccio’s Rule. Greens in regulation are the strongest single predictor of score. Used on the Baseline tab.
Advanced (Eq. 9) (GIR + putts)
Score = 58 + Putts − (4/3) × GIR
Combines GIR with actual putts. Used on the Advanced tab when putts are entered.
Expected putts (Eq. 7)
Expected Putts = 37 − (2/3) × GIR
Expected putts given your GIR. On Advanced, the Putts diff bubble shows whether you are even with, above (+), or below (−) that expectation.
Stableford path (under the hood)
pointsDelta = Stableford points − 36
Daily Course Handicap maps you to the nearest skill bracket (~20 / ~10 / 0 HCP). Decimals are allowed (e.g. 16.7); calculations round up. Stableford points are compared to ~36 — the usual “played to handicap” benchmark (AU/UK rule of thumb). That delta colours the day (ahead / to HCP / behind) and weights pickup insights for your level of player. It does not rebuild hole-by-hole Stableford from stroke indexes.
Assumed putts = Eq. 7 × (18 − pickups)/18 + pickups ×
(bracket putts/18 + 0.5)
When pickup holes leave putts untallied, finished holes inherit a scaled Expected putts (Eq. 7) share; each pickup adds a skill-aware putt rate plus a short-game “tax”. Those assumed putts feed Advanced (Eq. 9) so you still get a predicted score and Putts diff — clearly marked as assumed, not measured. Enter real putts whenever you have them.
Driving categories and driver carry inform practice insights and skill brackets only; they do not change these score equations. Stableford points and daily handicap shape pickup analysis and assumed putts — they do not invent a gross score from points alone.