Buffer meaning? | Golf Monthly

Every course has a SSS. This is the score that a scratch golfer is expected to go round in. This may be lower than, equal to or higher than the Par.

For a Par of 70 and a SSS of 69, a 10 h'capper should shoot 79
For a par of 70 and a SSS of 70, they should shoot 80
For Par 70, SSS 71 they should shoot 81

Forgetting CSS for a minute, in a qualifying competition, the buffer zone means that the 10 h'capper, being in Category 2 gets an additional 2 shots above the numbers above before his handicap would increase.

The buffer is different for each category of player as Junior described.

Those are the basics, CSS and stableford adjustments to follow...