
Here is the process you need to follow to figure out your handicap:
- Calculate Your Score Differential The first step to learning your handicap requires you to subtract your Adjusted...
- Calculate Your Average Score Differential The next step in determining your golf handicap is discovering your average...
- Multiply Your Average By .96
How do I calculate a golf handicap?
· Here is the process you need to follow to figure out your handicap: 1. Calculate Your Score Differential The first step to learning your handicap requires you to subtract your Adjusted... 2. Calculate Your Average Score Differential The next step in determining your golf handicap is discovering your ...
How to determine your golf handicap calculator?
· Unless you were using the USGA's course handicap calculator, you could use the following formula to calculate your course handicap: Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating / 113 The course handicap was, and still is, really a handicap for a specific set of tees on a specific course or what someone used to call a "playing handicap."
How do you figure a golf handicap?
· The golf club then works out an average score and calculates your handicap accordingly. For example, on a par 72 golf course, you submit 3 cards with scores of 90, 98, and 94. This is equivalent to 18 over, 26 over, and 22 over par. Adding up all 3 scorecards over par comes to 66 ÷ 3 (rounds) = 22.
What is a good golf handicap?
· Add these differentials together, and divide that sum by the total number of differentials. Multiply this average by 0.96 to receive your handicap index. This figure can then be used to discover your course handicap as well (the total number of strokes that should be subtracted from your gross score to determine your net score).

How to find handicap score?
Your Handicap score, or Index, can be figured out by using three different variables. Two of these variables are fixed on where you are playing, while the other is dependent on your performance on the greens. To help you better understand how your handicap is formulated, here is a quick break down of the variables: 1.
How is handicap determined?
Your handicap is determined by a series of formulas and calculations that take several variables into account when assessing your potential ability at any given course. How closely you follow your handicap depends on how seriously you take your golf.
What information is needed to calculate handicap?
Your course scorecard should include some vital information you’ll need to calculate your handicap, such as the Course Rating, the Slope Rating, and your Adjusted Gross Score (AGS ). Calculating your handicap through an app will save you a lot of time, though variations exist in course handicap calculator formulas.
How to calculate handicap index?
After determining your Average Score Differential, the third and final step to calculating your actual handicap index is multiplying your average by .96. This fixed number is often used in statistical mathematics, which accounts for the frequency distribution of various outcomes.
What is adjusted gross score?
Your Adjusted Gross Score is the number of strokes it takes for you to complete any given course as interpreted by the World Handicap System. This procedure accounts for any unfinished or unplayed holes, conceded strokes, the maximum hole score, or the course’s net double bogey.
Why is handicap important?
Handicap lets you keep your game in check and keeps the game moving forward, and in that respect, it is an important mechanism of the sport.
Why do you play with your handicap?
Playing with your handicap can also open a new dimension to how you golf with friends, as it reintroduces a competitive spirit back into the game. A healthy bit of competition can spur you on to make those improvements in your game and become a better player.
What does handicap mean in golf?
What Does Your Handicap Mean? Most golfers assume that your handicap (or index) is your average score. It’s really a measure of your potential playing ability.
What is course handicap?
A course handicap is the USGA’s measurement of the number of handicap strokes a player receives based on the course they are playing and the tee markers they choose.
What is handicap index?
Your handicap index compares your scoring ability to that of a scratch golfer – a player who has an index of zero. The two primary components are the course rating and the slope rating. The course rating is a measure of difficulty calculated by the USGA. Essentially, it is what a scratch golfer would shoot under normal playing conditions.
What is slope rating?
Slope rating is a measurement of the relative difficulty of the course for players who are not scratch golfers. Taking these two numbers, and your score allows you to calculate your index.
How is handicap calculated?
The Playing Handicap calculation enables equity amongst players of all handicap levels within different formats of the game. A Playing Handicap is calculated by applying the appropriate handicap allowance to a player’s Course Handicap. For formats of play where a handicap allowance of 100% is adopted, the Playing Handicap will be the same as the Course Handicap. Course Handicap - For handicap purposes, a Course Handicap is used to determine the number of strokes that a player receives (or gives) on any golf course and for the correct application of net par and net double bogey adjustments. Playing Handicap - For equity purposes, the Playing Handicap calculation determines the number of strokes each player gives or receives, to ensure that all players can enjoy a fair and equal game when playing with or competing against one another.
What is a handicap on a golf course?
The course handicap is really a handicap for a specific set of tees on a specific course or what someone might call a "playing handicap.". The USGA defines a course handicap in its Handicap Manual as... A " Course Handicap" is the USGA's mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set ...
What is a course handicap?
A " Course Handicap" is the USGA's mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust the player's scoring ability to the level of scratch or zero- handicap golf .
What is the USGA index?
The USGA provides a formula with which you first can calculate a number that is the same no matter what course you play. This number is called the "Index.". Using this Index, you can calculate a second number - your golf "course handicap" - for any specific course.
When will the USGA add the playing handicap?
Note: Beginning on January 1, 2020, with the introduction of the World Handicap System, the USGA has added the Playing Handicap. It.
Is the math the same for the 2020 USGA?
As you can see from the formula above and below, the math is the same except for the addition in 2020 of the parenthetical statement where par is subtracted from the Course Rating. Unless you were using the USGA's course handicap calculator, you could use the following formula to calculate your course handicap:
What is a golf handicap?
What do the different handicaps mean? Golf handicaps for men range from 0 – 36 in most parts of the world. Women’s golf handicaps are usually from 0 – 45 in most parts of the world. The ‘0’ or scratch handicap is for highly skilled golfers that are able to play 18 holes in level par or sometimes lower.
What is the highest number in golf handicap?
The higher numbers from 18 – 36 are where most golfers fit into the golf handicap index.
What is the rating of an easy golf course?
For example, an easy golf course with a par of 72 might have a course rating of 70. This means that a golfer with a handicap of 18 needs to shoot 88 (70+18) to effectively play to his handicap and not 90 ...
What is the handicap for a 72?
You would then be given a handicap of 22 and be expected to shoot 94 or better when playing a golf course with a par of 72.
How many holes are in a par 3 golf course?
First understanding what par is. Most golf courses consist of 18 holes. Every hole is different in length, shape, and consists of different hazards. Each hole has what is called a ‘par’ for the hole. For example, a hole short in length of 140 metres (153-yards) would be classified a par 3. This means to make a par you would be expected to get ...
How many strokes does it take to make a par in 18 holes?
This means to make a par you would be expected to get the ball into the hole in 3 shots. The majority of 18 hole golf courses have a total par of around 72 strokes. Sometimes it’s slightly lower than this or even slighter higher. This is made up of par threes, fours, and fives.
How many strokes to shoot a par round?
To shoot a par round you would be expected to play the golf course in 72 strokes or less.
How to determine your handicap?
A handicap differential can be configured by subtracting your course rating (an average good score by a golfer with a 0 handicap; this figure can be found on your course’s scorecard) from your gross score.
How to calculate handicap differential?
A Beginner’s Guide to Calculating Your Handicap 1 A handicap differential can be configured by subtracting your course rating (an average good score by a golfer with a 0 handicap; this figure can be found on your course’s scorecard) from your gross score. 2 Then, multiply that figure by 113 (golf courses of average difficulty have this slope rating; a slope rating measures how difficult a course is for golfers who are not “scratch” (with 0 handicaps), when compared to “scratch” golfers). 3 This total figure should then be divided by the slope rating of your course to determine the handicap differential, which is then rounded to the nearest tenth. 4 Like the course rating, a slope rating can also be found on your course’s scorecard. 5 You will need to configure, at minimum, five handicap differentials; at most, you can compute 20 differentials.
What is handicap index?
A handicap, officially known as a “handicap index,” allows golfers to calculate a net score that can be used when they are playing against more experienced golfers. A handicap ensures less experienced golfers have lower net scores, resulting in fairer matches whenever they play with intermediate or advanced golfers.
Who is issued a handicap index?
Official handicap indexes are only issued to members of golf clubs that follow the procedures of the USGA’s Handicap System.
Where to find slope rating?
Like the course rating, a slope rating can also be found on your course’s scorecard.
How many holes are in a golf handicap calculator?
Use this calculator to compute the index of handicap for a golfer given data from at least 54 holes (3 rounds of 18-holes) of playing data. When filling the form, please provide either an 18-hole or 9-hole score. Do not provide both. The playing condition adjustment is an optional value between -1 and 3. If left blank, it will be treated as 0.
What is a golf handicap?
A golf handicap is intended as a measure of a golfer's potential playing ability. The higher the handicap of a golfer, the poorer the golfer's ability relative to that of a person with a lower handicap.
What is a scratch golfer?
"Scratch golfers" and "bogey golfers" are terms that are often used in relation to golf handicaps. A scratch golfer is a golfer whose handicap is zero, while a bogey golfer is one whose handicap is ...
What is a rating of slope?
A rating of slope in contrast, is a number (typically between 55 and 155) describing the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. A handicap of course indicates the number of strokes that a golfer receives at a particular golf course. It can be thought of as an adjustment to a golfer's handicap ...
What is a golf handicap adjustment?
It is the number of strokes that should be deducted from a golfer's gross score to determine net score.
How does weather affect golf scores?
Since golf is a game that is played outdoors, weather or other conditions can significantly affect a player's scores. As such, in an effort to more accurately represent a player's scores, an adjustment, referred to as the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC), based on playing conditions for the course is included. This involves factoring in a number, ranging from -1 (when conditions make the course easier) to 3 (when conditions make the course more difficult), into the score differential calculation, depending on the conditions of the course for the given day.
What is the rating of a golf course?
In the United States, officially rated golf courses are described by course and rating of slope. Rating of course is a number (typically between 67 and 77) that is used to measure the average "good" score that a scratch golfer may attain on the course.
Why is a handicap needed in golf?
What is a golf handicap and why is it needed? The USGA says the following: "The purpose of the USGA Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis.
When did the USGA switch to the World Handicap System?
Please note that this page calculates the Index using the formula that existed through December 31, 2019. On January 1, 2020, the USGA switched to the World Handicap System.
