
"Handicap differential" is a factor used in USGA
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the rules of golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system f…
How do you calculate a golf handicap differential?
The steps for calculating a Course Handicap are:
- Convert gross scores to Adjusted Gross Scores
- Calculate Handicap Differential for each score
- Select lowest Handicap Differentials
- Average lowest Handicap Differentials
- Multiply the average Handicap Differential by 96%
- Arrive at Handicap Index by truncating - deleting - the number (s) to the right of tenths
- Calculate Course Handicap
How to calculate your golf handicap?
- Calculate your standard score for each hole. For example, if you shoot two over par, your score would be +2. …
- Adjust your score for each hole based on your handicap. …
- Convert your score for each hole to the Stableford system. …
- Add up your total points for the course.
How do you calculate golf score differential?
- Use the table below to determine the number of handicap differentials to use; Number of Score Differentials in scoring record Score Differential (s) to be used in calculation of Handicap ...
- Determine handicap differentials;
- Average the handicap differentials being used;
- Delete all numbers after the tenths’ digit. ...
How to calculate golf handicap with 9 holes?
To post a general play score from any venue, a golfer is required to:
- Pre-register the round with the host club. ...
- Play and enjoy the round in accordance with the Rules of Golf
- Enter the score using the My England Golf App or ask the host club to enter the score on your behalf either onto the WHS platform or their club software

What is differential in golf scoring?
A Score Differential measures the performance of a round in relation to the relative difficulty of the course that was played, measured by the Course Rating™ and Slope Rating® .
What is handicap differential used for?
"Handicap differential" is a factor used in USGA handicaps. It is a term applied to the difference between your score and the course rating, adjusted for slope rating (we'll explain what that means below). The number that results is used in the calculations that determine a USGA handicap index.
How do you calculate handicap differential?
Handicap differential = (Adjusted Gross Score-rating of the course) X 113 / Course slope ratings. The course rating is simply the scores of a new golfer on a normal course under a normal playing condition. Slope rating is the rating of 113 for a course based on the standard difficulty.
What is the average golf score for seniors?
The average score for someone over the age of 60 is 92 on a par 72 golf course. These people have a lot of time to play golf but they're getting older and their body doesn't work quite as well as it used to. Obviously, you'll have some golfers shoot much better and some that shoot much worse.
What is my golf handicap if I shoot 85?
If you shoot a 85, you can say that your handicap is an 13. You are a mid handicap golfer, which is an average handicap (more golfers fall into this group than any other).
What is a good handicap for a beginner golfer?
What is a good golf handicap for beginners? Breaking 90 in golf is difficult for beginner's but a huge milestone. 90 would be 18 strokes over par so a handicap of 18 or lower would be a good handicap for a beginner. The average handicap for a beginner is probably above 30.
What is a good golf handicap?
ten or lessWhat 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.
Whats a scratch golfer?
A scratch player essentially is one who can manage every aspect of their game, consistently, and can plot their way around the golf course hitting the right shots at the right time. A Scratch golfer will very rarely hit two bad shots in a row and has the mindset to recover rapidly from setbacks in a positive way.
What is a score differential?
Score Differential is the numerical value attributed to a score ( Adjusted Gross Score) achieved during a round of golf. It is the value of Handicap Index that has been ‘ played to ’ for the round on a specific course on a specific day.
Can a 9 hole score be converted to an 18 hole score?
Therefore 9-hole scores have to be converted into their 18-hole equivalents. Two methods are used for this ( in EGA countries both options are used ): a 9-hole score is scaled up to an equivalent 18-hole Score Differential (an option for Great Britain, Ireland and South Africa ), or.
What Is a Handicap in Golf?
In golf, a handicap is simply the difference between the total golf course par and the average number of strokes a golfer plays in about 10 games. Par is the number of strokes a golfer should take to finish the course (or hole.)
Why Do We Need Golf Handicaps?
Golf handicaps can be useful for many reasons. First of all, they help us understand our game better. They also allow us to compare ourselves with others who play at our level. Also, knowing our handicap allows us to know what we can expect from our games. Knowing this helps us plan ahead and prepare well for future tournaments.
Handicap Index vs. Course Handicap
Sometimes, you may hear the two terms 'handicap' and 'handicap index' being used interchangeably. There are, however, differences between the two.
How to Calculate Golf Handicap (as of 2020 Onwards)
First of all, it is important to know that the latest adjustments made by the USGA to the handicap calculation methods have brought many changes over the old calculation methods.
World Handicap System Changes and History
Even though the first forms of handicapping systems started to be used during the 19th century (It was called the 'hands-on cap' and involved the referee and two players), it is believed that there were always thoughts of a similar system that would unify all golf players under one system.
Golf Handicap Categories
There are five main golf handicap categories (6 for the CONGU system). Each category provides a buffer zone (A score zone that the player can score within without seeing an increase in his/ her handicap) that equals the number of the category itself.
How Often Should You Calculate Golf Handicap?
Handicaps are used to gauge a golfer's ability on the golf course, so it's crucial to check them frequently to make sure they are accurate.
How to calculate handicap on golf course?
Determine a course handicap by multiplying the Handicap Index by the Slope Rating (from the course and tee you choose) and dividing by 113 (standard difficulty rating). Round the result to the nearest whole number.
How to calculate handicap?
The steps for calculating a Course Handicap are: 1 Convert gross scores to Adjusted Gross Scores 2 Calculate Handicap Differential for each score 3 Select lowest Handicap Differentials 4 Average lowest Handicap Differentials 5 Multiply the average Handicap Differential by 96% 6 Arrive at Handicap Index by truncating - deleting - the number (s) to the right of tenths 7 Calculate Course Handicap
What is handicap index?
Note that the Handicap Index is the USGA-defined "portable handicap" which you can take to any course. You use the Handicap Index to calculate your Course Handicap for any particular course. Again, remember that your Handicap Index is the same from course to course. Your Course handicap, a number for a specific course, ...
What is ESC in golf?
To arrive at an Adjusted Gross Score, you use the USGA's Equitable Stroke Control (ESC). ESC is used to downwardly adjust individual hole scores for handicapping purposes in order to create handicaps that better represent a golfer's playing ability.
World Handicap System explained: Our expert says
Clearly, plenty of you have been bugging your handicap committees and managers about this because it came up when the Golf Club Managers’ Association held a recent webinar with Gemma Hunter, England Golf’s head of handicapping and course rating.
Need more information on the World Handicap System?
Visit our dedicated WHS page where you will find everything you need to know and details of how to contact us if you have any more questions.
