The Formula
Each player's HDP = INT((avg of best N rounds − 36) × 0.96). Rounds come from both 2025 history and 2026 play, combined into one pool. The best N are the lowest gross scores — your worst rounds don't count against you. A minimum of 7 total rounds is required before the live formula kicks in; players below that threshold carry their prior-season HDP.
Best-N Scale
| Total rounds | Best N used |
|---|---|
| 7–9 | 2 |
| 10–11 | 3 |
| 12–13 | 4 |
| 14–15 | 5 |
| 16–17 | 6 |
| 18+ | 7 |
Why 2025 rounds count
Early in a season, using only a handful of 2026 rounds gives an unstable HDP based on a tiny sample. By pooling last year's scores, players start 2026 with a statistically grounded baseline that improves as new rounds come in. 2025 rounds gradually dilute as the season progresses.
vs. USGA
The USGA Handicap Index uses best 8 of last 20 score differentials, adjusted for Course Rating and Slope. Foxfire simplifies for a single-course league: we skip rating/slope and use par (36) as the flat baseline. The 0.96 "bonus for excellence" factor is identical to USGA. The best-N scaling mirrors the spirit of the USGA table that ramps up as more rounds accumulate.
★ = included in best-N average | shaded = 2025 rounds | gold = best-N selected | carry = using prior-season carryover (<7 rounds)