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HansExcel's avatar
HansExcel
Copper Contributor
Jan 24, 2026

Excel "IF" function

I'm creating a spreadsheet for my golf club.

We have special rules. One of them is that if a player has fewer than 30 Stableford points after a round, their handicap increases by 1 point. Can I do this with an "IF" function? And what would that look like? I have separate columns for stableford points and handicaps.

6 Replies

  • JoseJ's avatar
    JoseJ
    Brass Contributor

    Hey Hans,

    Yes  that’s exactly what IF is for.

    Assuming:

    • Stableford points are in A2
    • Current handicap is in B2

    Put this in a new column (e.g., C2 = New Handicap):

    =IF(A2<30, B2+1, B2)

    What it does:

    • If Stableford points are < 30, return handicap + 1
    • Otherwise, return the same handicap

    If you want it to stay blank when there are no points entered yet (common in score sheets):

    =IF(A2="", "", IF(A2<30, B2+1, B2))

    spreadsheets generally shouldn’t “update the same cell” (i.e., you wouldn’t put this in the handicap cell itself unless you’re intentionally replacing the original). Best practice is to keep the original handicap column and calculate the adjusted handicap in a separate column.

    • HansExcel's avatar
      HansExcel
      Copper Contributor

      Hi Jose, thank you for your reaction, this really is helpful especially your additional remarks. Please allow me a few observations.

      1. When I entered the function, excel did not accept it as a function. Eventually I found out that where you put a kommas, I need to put semicolons. It works now.
      2. If there are no points entered it should not remain blank but show the last handicap. I tried to correct it, but couldn't. Can you help?
      3. Can we add to this same function that when a player has >40 points his handicap should go down with 1 point (actual hcp -/- 1.
      4. Can I add the spreadsheet in this forum?
      5.  Hope I am not abusing with all these questions
      • MercedesQueme's avatar
        MercedesQueme
        Copper Contributor

        Hi, I hope my answer helps you

        =IF(A2="";B2; IF(A2<30;B2+1;IF(A2>40;B2-1;B2)))