Score to Lower

My Score to Lower seems far too low. Is that possible?

Yes, it is possible and is dependent upon how we calculate the score to lower. We define the score to lower as the score needed to lower your handicap to the next lower integer (rounded). So, if your handicap is a 20.6 (rounded to 21) your "lower handicap" is defined as 20.4. Similarly, if your handicap is 21.4 (also rounded to 21) your "lower handicap" is also defined as 20.4.

If your handicap is 12.4 (rounded to 12), that means the score is the score you need to lower your handicap to 11.4 (rounded to 11), which also means you need to lower each of your best 10 scores (used to calculate your handicap) by 1 stroke each - which is the same to say you need to add 1 score that is 10 strokes less than your average. Thus, is the average of your best 10 scores is 86 or 87, then you need to shoot a 76 or 77 to lower your handicap to the next lower integer.

In addition, if one of the scores that is used to calculate your handicap (marked with a star) is the 20th score, then you need to make up for the difference between that score and the average. Or, if you have less than 20 scores, fewer than 10 (marked with a star) are used to calculate your handicap - and when you add a score you will take into account a greater number of scores. That additional score will most likely be higher than your average, and so you will need to make up for that increase as well. Together these can further reduce the score you need to shoot.

Be reassured, however, that you do not need to lower your handicap to the next lower integer in one round - a good score can serve to lower your handicap slightly and at the same time raise the "score to lower" for future rounds.