To calculate your handicap, you need to input your scores for at least 5 rounds. The system will use the best differentials to determine your handicap index.
Your Handicap Index
Your Handicap Index:
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Understanding Your Golf Handicap
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential playing ability. It allows golfers of different skill levels to compete against each other on a more equal footing. The World Handicap System (WHS) is the standardized method used globally to calculate and maintain handicaps.
How the Handicap Index is Calculated (WHS Simplified)
The core of the WHS calculation involves determining your "Handicap Differential" for each round played. A Handicap Differential represents how well you played relative to the difficulty of the course on that day. The formula for a Handicap Differential is:
Adjusted Gross Score (AGS): This is your gross score for the hole, with adjustments made for playing conditions or if you exceed the maximum score allowed per hole (Net Double Bogey).
Course Rating: This is the rating of the course from the specific set of tees played, representing the average gross score a scratch golfer is expected to achieve.
Slope Rating: This indicates the relative difficulty of a course for a golfer with a handicap index above 20, compared to a scratch golfer. A higher slope rating means the course is more difficult for the average golfer.
113: This is a constant representing the average slope rating of a course.
Calculating Your Handicap Index
The WHS uses your most recent 20 Handicap Differentials to calculate your Handicap Index. However, a provisional handicap can be calculated with fewer scores:
5 to 14 scores: The system uses the best 4 differentials.
15 to 20 scores: The system uses the best 8 differentials.
The Handicap Index is calculated by averaging the best differentials and then multiplying by 0.96 (a "playing condition adjustment" factor, though this is handled automatically in many scoring applications). For simplicity in this calculator, we average the best score differentials.
Using the Calculator
Our calculator simplifies this process. You'll need to provide:
Adjusted Gross Score: Your score for the round, adjusted as per WHS rules (e.g., capping strokes per hole at Net Double Bogey).
Course Rating: The rating of the course from the tees you played. This is often found on the scorecard or course website.
Slope Rating: The slope rating for the course from the tees you played. Also found on scorecards or course websites.
By adding multiple rounds, the calculator will identify your best scores relative to the course difficulty and provide an estimated Handicap Index. A lower Handicap Index indicates a more skilled golfer.
When to Use This Calculator
This calculator is useful for:
New golfers wanting an estimate of their playing ability.
Casual golfers who want to track their progress.
Golfer seeking to understand the WHS calculation process.
Anyone needing a quick way to generate a handicap for friendly matches when a formal one isn't available.
Remember, for official handicaps used in tournaments, you'll need to register with a golf club or association that implements the WHS.
var scoreCount = 0;
var maxScores = 20; // WHS standard, though we'll calculate with fewer if necessary
function addScoreInput() {
if (scoreCount >= maxScores) {
alert("You can add up to " + maxScores + " scores for the most accurate calculation.");
return;
}
var scoresContainer = document.getElementById("scoresInputContainer");
scoreCount++;
var newScoreDiv = document.createElement("div");
newScoreDiv.className = "input-group";
newScoreDiv.id = "scoreGroup" + scoreCount;
newScoreDiv.innerHTML = `
Round ${scoreCount}
`;
scoresContainer.appendChild(newScoreDiv);
}
function removeScoreInput(idToRemove) {
var scoreDiv = document.getElementById("scoreGroup" + idToRemove);
if (scoreDiv) {
scoreDiv.remove();
scoreCount–;
// Re-number remaining inputs for clarity if needed, but not essential for calculation
}
}
function calculateHandicap() {
var differentials = [];
var validScores = 0;
for (var i = 1; i <= scoreCount; i++) {
var scoreDiv = document.getElementById("scoreGroup" + i);
if (!scoreDiv) continue; // Skip if this score group was removed
var adjustedGrossScore = parseFloat(document.getElementById("score_" + i).value);
var courseRating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("courseRating_" + i).value);
var slopeRating = parseFloat(document.getElementById("slopeRating_" + i).value);
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(adjustedGrossScore) || isNaN(courseRating) || isNaN(slopeRating) ||
adjustedGrossScore <= 0 || courseRating <= 0 || slopeRating 155) {
console.log("Skipping invalid input for round " + i);
continue; // Skip this round if any input is invalid
}
// Calculate Handicap Differential
var differential = (adjustedGrossScore – courseRating) * 113 / slopeRating;
differentials.push(differential);
validScores++;
}
var resultValueElement = document.getElementById("resultValue");
var resultLabelElement = document.getElementById("resultLabel");
if (differentials.length === 0) {
resultValueElement.textContent = "-";
resultLabelElement.textContent = "Please enter valid scores.";
return;
}
// Sort differentials in ascending order (best scores first)
differentials.sort(function(a, b) {
return a – b;
});
var numScoresToAverage;
if (differentials.length >= 5 && differentials.length = 15) {
numScoresToAverage = 8; // Best 8 for 15-20 scores
} else {
numScoresToAverage = differentials.length; // Use all available if less than 5
}
var scoresToAverage = differentials.slice(0, numScoresToAverage);
var sumOfBestDifferentials = 0;
for (var j = 0; j {
addScoreInput();
});