odd and even number handicap holes

[The Saint]

I was asked this weekend why on the score card the handicap for each hole is an odd number for the front nine and even numbers on the back. I didn't have an answer.
Does anyone know?

[powerlefty]

When you get strokes you start using them at HCP hole #1, then #2, etc. Not sure why they alternate between front and back nine but they do come in to play for a Nassau - i.e. front, back, total.

[Kilroy]

It is normally done that way. It's so a nine hole mach can be played with half your handicap.
Otherwise you may have holes 1-9 on the front and 10 to 18 on the back. Then how would you do a nine hole match?

I rarely play nine hole matches myself, and I always thought that was dumb. they should be purely hardest to easiest so strokes are given most accurately.

[faldo]

I rarely play nine hole matches myself, and I always thought that was dumb.

Yes, Team Black recently noticed your winning technique in 9-hole matches

[faldo]

Joke.......

[Kilroy]

Touché
It would be best to have both nines 1-9 and the 18 handicapped as a whole.