
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 Gross Score from the Course Rating. ...
- Calculate Your Average Score Differential The next step in determining your golf handicap is discovering your average score differential. ...
- Multiply Your Average By .96
What is considered a mid to high handicap in golf?
What Is a High Golf Handicap?
- Definition. A handicap is a numerical calculation of a golfer's on-course ability. ...
- Calculations. A golf handicap is calculated by compiling a golfer's recent scores and comparing those scores against the difficulty of the courses that were played.
- High Handicap. ...
- Ratings. ...
- Handicap Calculators. ...
How many scores are needed to calculate a golf handicap?
You can establish a handicap by entering as few as five scores, but only the lowest differential would be used to determine you handicap. In the above example, your other four scores could all be more than 100, but you'd still carry a handicap index of 4.8. That's why, of course, you want to enter all your scores.
How do you estimate a golf handicap?
How to Calculate the Golf Handicap
- Change the original gross scores into the adjusted total score. ...
- Calculate your handicap differential for each score and select your lowest handicap differential. ...
- Calculate the average of the smallest value from the differentials. ...
- Multiply the average of handicap differentials by 96% or 0.96. ...
- Truncate, or Delete, Numbers to the Right of Tenths. ...
How to to calculate your golf handicap?
Let’s Calculate your Golf Handicap
- Begin with Converting Gross Scores to Adjusted Gross Scores. Use the Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) from USGA for getting the Adjusted Gross Score. ...
- Golf Handicap Differential Calculation for Each Score. The next step is to compute the Handicap Differential for each score that’s in the Handicap Index calculation.
- Select the Lowest Differentials. ...

What's my golf handicap if I shoot 100?
a 28What is your handicap if you shoot 100? If you shoot around 100 for 18 holes, your handicap is roughly a 28 (100-72 = 28).
How is golf handicap calculated 2022?
Use the following formula to compute the Handicap Differential: Handicap differential = (The Adjusted Gross Score -The Course Rating) X 113 / The Course slope ratings. The course rating refers to the score of a new golf player on a course under standard playing conditions.
What is a good golf handicap?
What Is A Good Golf Handicap? A good golf handicap is ten or less. With a handicap index of ten or less, you will generally shoot somewhere around 82. Shooing in the low 80s is better than average but certainly not good enough to be considered a scratch player.
How many strokes does a 30 handicap get?
Example 2: A player with a Course Handicap of 30 might play in a four-ball stroke play competition in which the handicap allowance is 90 percent, or 27 strokes.
How do I calculate my golf handicap for free?
Course Handicap = (Handicap Index) X (Slope Rating**) ÷ 113 You can also use the USGA's Course Handicap Calculator for performing the above calculation. With the help of our free golf handicap calculator above and a simple formula, you now have your Index® and Course Handicap.
Is a 13 golf handicap good?
While not quite a scratch player, you have plenty of experience and get around a course well. If you are in the 10 to 15 handicap range, you are well above average and would be considered good by most standards. For the rest of the golfers near the middle and above, it is all about practice and experience.
How does the Handicap Index work?
When less than 20 scores are in your scoring record, a fewer number of scores are used to calculate your Handicap Index. Once you have 20 scores in your scoring record, your Handicap Index is calculated by first averaging the best 8 Score Differentials™ out of your most recent 20 scores.
What is handicap in golf?
Your Course Handicap takes into account your ability and the course’s difficulty in order to show you your handicap for that particular course , or, in other words, how many strokes--based on your Handicap Index--you can deduct from your final score for this particular course.
How to calculate handicap index?
1. Find your adjusted gross score. To calculate your Handicap Index, you’ll first need a minimum of five golf scores (and no more than 20). Gather at least five scores 18-hole scores or ten 9-hole scores and use them to calculate your Adjusted Gross Score. To determine your Adjusted Gross Score ...
What is the handicap of a course with a slope rating of 117?
For example, if you have a handicap index of 10.0 and a slope rating of 117, you would use the following equation: (10.0 x 117) / 113, which results in a course handicap of 10.3.
How much handicap do you need for a scramble?
For a two-player scramble, add 35% of the lower handicap and 15% of the higher handicap. The total will be the team's handicap. For a four-player scramble, add 20% of the lowest handicap, 15% of the second-lowest handicap, 10% of the third-lowest handicap, and 5% of the highest handicap. The total will be the team's handicap. In both cases, handicaps are based on each player's course handicap.
Why is a low handicap good?
A lower handicap reflects a better player. When I started playing years ago I was amused to learn that very good amateurs actually play to a Positive Handicap! Imagine that - having to give strokes to the course! Sadly there are those who 'massage' their handicaps to have a higher handicap and then play to well below in tournaments to win handsomely. Totally betrays the ethics of golf. Personally I strive for a low handicap as it marks a personal achievement.
What is a course rating?
The Course Rating is the numerical value given by the UGSA to each set of tees on a course. It approximates the number of strokes it should take a scratch golfer to complete the course. Most courses make this information available via the course website or at the clubhouse.
How to average two differentials?
To average them, add them together, and then divide the resulting number by 2. Then multiply the result by 0.96, and drop any digits beyond the tenths place. The equation would look like this: 10 + 11 = 21; 21 / 2 = 10.5; 10.5 x 0.96 = 10.08. Dropping the digit beyond the tenths place gives you a handicap index of 10.0 (remember not to round up).
How to determine your handicap in golf?
When you're ready to determine your handicap, you need to start by tracking your 9- and 18-hole scores. Record them in a scorecard and sign it; your golf partner should sign it as well. The signatures are there in order to minimize corruption and ensure that your scores are real and valid.
What are the factors that determine a golf handicap?
But, if you're interested in doing it yourself, your golf handicap is based on several factors. Some of these factors include the slope rating, course handicap, and adjusted gross scores. Other factors to consider are the game's handicap index, the handicap differential linked with it, and the course rating.
What does Handicap mean in Golf?
Let's start off with something you might've already found out through Wikipedia, "A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities to compete against one another. Better players are those with the lowest handicaps.".
How to get adjusted gross score?
To get adjusted gross scores, use the USGA's equitable stroke control. Use the ESC downwards while adjusting the individual 18-hole scores to create a golf handicap. According to ESC, the maximum number of strokes you can enter in a specific hole is limited. The maximum value can be found in the table below.
What is the maximum handicap for women?
Any figures in the scores should not be rounded off. If a golf match is played on an 18-hole course, the default maximum number from any handicap index is 40.4 for women and 36.4 for men, according to the USGA. It's 18.2 for men and 20.2 for women on the 9-hole course. If the handicap differential average is 13.196 after being multiplied by 0.96, the shortened value is 13.1.
How many 18 hole scores do you need to get a handicap?
You're going to need three 18- hole scores in order to obtain a handicap index. This can be made from a combination of 9- hole and 18- hole rounds. The handicap index is revised at the beginning and middle of every month, the 1st and the 15th.
When do you update your handicap?
The revision to your handicap is done daily as long as you update your third 18- hole scores before midnight.
What is a Golf Handicap?
Put very simply, a handicap is a numerical representation of a golfer’s ability based upon previous golf scores that they have completed and posted, and its purpose is to give golfers a way to compare themselves to other golfers and to track their own progress.
Why is handicap important in golf?
It enhances the enjoyment of the game of golf and gives as many golfers as possible the opportunity to compete, or play a casual round with anyone else on a fair and equal basis.
How to get handicap index?
That is why the vast majority of golfers who carry a handicap index do so through one of three methods: 1 Subscribing to a handicapping network and then entering scores on the computerized systems that are available at most golf courses, or by entering them through your computer at home that is linked to this network. 2 Through the use of a free app that you can download to your smartphone 3 Utilizing one of the many online websites that offer a free handicap service.
What is the goal of handicapping golf?
But through all of its variations, the overall goal of golf handicapping has never changed from the 1600s to today: to level the playing field for golfers of different abilities so that they can compete on an equal footing.
What is a course rating?
It is a numerical assessment (expressed in strokes) of the overall difficulty of a particular golf course. You should be aware that the course rating is calculated based on how difficult the course is for scratch players . That rating is an estimate of the average scores of the best 50% of rounds played by scratch golfers at that course.
What happens to your golf score when you play in harsher conditions?
On those days where the golfers at your course played in harsher conditions, an automated adjustment will be made to your posted score, and to the posted scores of all the golfers who played that course on that day.
What does 113 mean in handicap?
The use of ‘113’ as a divisor: the number 113, as used in the handicap formula, represents the slope rating of a golf course of average difficulty, as set by the USGA.
How to calculate handicap on a golf course?
Calculate your course handicap by multiplying the Handicap Index by the Slope Rating and dividing it by 113.
What is handicap in golf?
Golf handicaps allow you to play competitive matches with players of different skill levels. Use this and try some stroke-play, match-play, or scramble competitions with your friends!
What is adjusted gross score?
The adjusted gross score is a player’s gross score adjusted under USGA Handicap System procedures for unfinished holes, conceded strokes, holes not played or not played under the Rules of Golf, or Equitable Stroke Control.
How to find average of handicap differential?
Almost done, hang in there! Determine the average of your net handicap differentials by multiplying them by 0.96.
What is handicap differential?
The handicap differential will tell you how well you’ve played that round. It accounts for the course’s difficulty, the tee box you’ve played from, and your total adjusted score. Use this formula to calculate yours.
What is a course rating?
Course Rating#N#USGA Course Rating is an evaluation of the difficulty of a golf course for scratch golfers. The number is an estimate of the average scores of the best 50-percent of rounds played by scratch golfers at that course.
Who owns My Golf Heaven?
Francesco is the owner of My Golf Heaven and manages the team of experts writers on the site. He currently plays off a 4 handicap.
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.
What is a good golf handicap?
A good golf handicap is usually below 10. This would mean that a player with a handicap of 10 typically shoots around 82 for 18-holes. The average golf handicap for men and women golfers is around 15. This would mean that this golfer shoots around 90.
How many rounds of golf are required to get a handicap?
The USGA Handicap System. The USGA dictates that in order to find the most accurate handicap of a golfer is to have a minimum of 12 established rounds of golf. The best and worst rounds are typically discarded to find the most adequate representation of your skills.
How to find a not so reliable handicap?
The more general way to find a not-so-reliable handicap is by simply counting the number of strokes you are over par on a course. If you shot a 100 on a course that was a par of 72, your handicap would be 28.
How many rounds are required to calculate handicap?
This allows you to consistently measure your handicap year-to-year with no more than 20 rounds being used to compute the formula.
What is a handicap of 0-9?
A handicap of 0-9 is a maximum score of double-bogey
What is the magic number for golf?
If this is the first time to establish your handicap, the magic number is 10. That means that for every shot you take over ten, you subtract from your final score.
What is a rating in golf?
The rating is a number telling how difficult the course is for a scratch golfer. The slope is based upon people who play bogey golf.
