Your first Golf handicap

Earn your first official handicap with our Handicap 54 Course in Mallorca. Over five consecutive days you’ll train three hours daily on the driving range and the real golf course, learning full swing technique, short game, and on course strategy. Our PGA certified instructors, with 28 years of experience, guide you through rules instruction, mental game tips, and practice rounds that prepare you for the official Handicap 54 exam recognised across Europe. With personalised video feedback and fun, structured lessons, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to pass the test and start playing any golf course worldwide.

Proven Passion. Real Results. See the Latest Reviews.

(Because last year’s praise doesn’t hit this year’s fairway)

Golf Handicap Course summary

For many new golfers, getting a first handicap is the step that turns practice into real play on the golf course. In this intensive week, we prepare you for the key parts of the certification process: basic rules and etiquette, practical on course routines, and the playing ability assessment.

After completing the course, you can apply for a Spanish golf federation licence so your handicap can be officially registered and used for play.

Let’s dive into the week. It is usually a tough week. Many golfers arrive with too little preparation, which means they have to catch up fast and may risk missing the exam goal. That is why we want new golfers to understand that passing requires practice before you arrive.

This tuition course is not a beginners course. You should already be able to strike golf balls reliably. Ideally, you have taken around 10 to 15 lessons with your local teaching professional before travelling.

Days 1 to 3 focus on practice. We work on weaknesses, build more consistency, and spend time on the course so you get familiar with real situations and the shots you will face during the assessments.

Days 4 and 5 are assessment days. We truly aim for everyone to pass, but sometimes it is not possible if the playing level is still too low.

Most golfers will also need to practise during the half days without lessons. This week asks for energy and focus. In many cases it is not a relaxed holiday week, but a training week with a clear goal.

Our tip: take about 15 lessons with a local PGA professional beforehand and practise the homework between lessons. As a guideline, you should be able to hit the ball around 100 yards as a woman and 120 yards as a man on a regular basis, not only occasionally.

For rules preparation, consider a rules course at your local golf club, which often takes 6 to 8 hours. You can also learn independently with our guidance. Please note: if you pass the playing ability test but fail the rules test, the rules test must still be passed before certification can be completed. Take the preparation seriously and avoid arriving without a plan.

We also offer a guided golf rules exam learning program to support your rules preparation through our Video Analysis Software. We send you clear steps on what to read and when, plus how to approach the learning process. You will still need to invest some time, but we can help you stay on track. Just ask us.

All our courses are led by Michel Monnard and Tobias Widmer, Swiss professionals with PGA qualification, who train, support and challenge you to play your best golf.

Why are golf course fees (range fees and green fees) not included?
Golf course fees are calculated individually, as they vary by season, course and travel dates. This way, you are not charged for unnecessary costs.

Real reviews from real golfers, because your game matters to us

The detailed structure of the First Handicap Course

On day 1 and day 2 of the first handicap course, we help golfers fine tune typical mistakes. This includes solid contact, direction and distance control, more precision in the short game, and also longer clubs such as hybrids and driver. After the training session, we play a few holes every day so you get to know the course, its specific challenges, and the on course routines, and feel comfortable in the flow of play.

We learn how to use simple course strategy to avoid penalty shots. We take a closer look at shots that repeatedly cause problems, for example a pitch over a bunker to a green with water or out of bounds behind it. Repeating these situations daily takes away the fear factor and builds confidence.

Golfers practise independently every day outside the coached sessions, focusing on their weak points. If you take the theory test during the week, you should plan around one additional hour per day for golf rules, unless you are already well prepared. This is an intensive course. We give our best, and the golfer gives their best.

On day 3, we decide whether the golfer continues with the exam rounds, or whether the playing level is not quite there yet. In that case, the remaining days are used as focused training time to make the most of the week.

For golfers aiming to take the exams, day 3 is also used to strengthen rules knowledge and build practical experience in key areas: controlling pace of play, applying Ready Golf, understanding on course procedures, and keeping a scorecard. We also prepare for the required tests on the driving range and in putting, chipping and bunker play.

The golfer prepares these tests independently during the first two days outside the coached sessions, so they can approach them with confidence.

On day 4, we play 9 holes with a strong focus on routines, pace of play, applying the rules and using Ready Golf. Golfers learn how to influence pace, first by simply playing faster, and also by switching from stroke play to a Texas Scramble format (best ball style) to practise efficient flow.

The golf rules exam (prepare yourself for it) takes place on day 4 or day 5, depending on what we agree between coach and golfer. To support your preparation, we can offer you online preparation for your theory exam and one to one FaceTime sessions to make sure you are prepared.

On day 5, we play a 9 hole tournament round within the club’s internal members competition. This round is used to test everything again, with special attention on counting correctly and handling the scorecard. Men play from the yellow tees, seniors from blue and women from the red tees.

Licensing, and what happens next?

With the modern international handicap system, national golf federations worldwide can create playing eligibility even more easily.

In today’s world of IBAN payments and app based services, new golfers do not necessarily need to become a member of their national federation in order to play golf in their home country. A handicap has always allowed golfers to play worldwide, regardless of where it is registered and maintained.

The annual membership fee in the Spanish Golf Federation is 114 EUR. This saving can even help offset part of the travel costs for a golf holiday in Mallorca.

If you take the course from September onwards, the annual fee can become even more attractive thanks to seasonal promotions by the Spanish Golf Federation. Course graduates may have the option to reduce the licence fee for the rest of the year to as little as 12 EUR.

We complete the Spanish Golf Federation application form together, and within 24 hours the licence is active.

With the international handicap system, after successfully completing your first handicap you can decide whether you want to remain a member of the Spanish Golf Federation or transfer your membership immediately or at the start of the new calendar year to your own national federation.

Our key advantage: you can start playing worldwide straight away.

A transfer only becomes relevant when a golfer wants to join a golf club at home. Until then, most golfers simply choose the option that fits their needs.

Our goal is to make your start in golf as direct and cost effective as possible.