How to Calculate Golf Handicap

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Golf Handicap Differential Calculator

Calculate your round's handicap differential based on the World Handicap System (WHS).

Your total strokes after the "Net Double Bogey" limit.
Found on the course scorecard (difficulty for a scratch golfer).
Relative difficulty for a bogey golfer (typically between 55 and 155).

Your Result:

function calculateGolfHandicap() { var score = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossScore').value); var rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById('courseRating').value); var slope = parseFloat(document.getElementById('slopeRating').value); var resultArea = document.getElementById('golfResultWrapper'); var resultText = document.getElementById('handicapResult'); var explanation = document.getElementById('explanationText'); if (isNaN(score) || isNaN(rating) || isNaN(slope) || slope <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields."); return; } // Formula: (Score – Course Rating) x (113 / Slope Rating) var differential = (score – rating) * (113 / slope); var roundedDiff = differential.toFixed(1); resultArea.style.display = 'block'; resultText.innerHTML = "Round Handicap Differential: " + roundedDiff + ""; explanation.innerHTML = "This score indicates you played like a golfer with a " + roundedDiff + " handicap for this specific round. Under the WHS, your official Handicap Index is the average of your best 8 differentials from your last 20 recorded rounds."; }

Understanding How to Calculate Your Golf Handicap

The golf handicap system is designed to allow players of different skill levels to compete on an equal footing. In 2020, the golf world moved to the World Handicap System (WHS), which standardized calculations globally. If you want to know your current skill level, understanding the "Handicap Differential" is the first step.

Key Terms You Need to Know

  • Adjusted Gross Score: This is your total score after adjusting for maximum hole scores. Under WHS, the maximum score you can take on any hole for handicap purposes is a "Net Double Bogey."
  • Course Rating: This number represents the expected score for a "scratch" golfer (0 handicap) on that specific set of tees.
  • Slope Rating: This measures the relative difficulty of a course for a "bogey" golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The standard slope is 113.

The Handicap Differential Formula

To find out how well you played in a single round, use the following formula:

(Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating) x (113 / Slope Rating) = Handicap Differential

Realistic Example Calculation

Imagine you played a round at "Green Valley Golf Club" with the following stats:

  • Your Score: 90
  • Course Rating: 70.5
  • Slope Rating: 130

Step 1: Subtract Rating from Score: 90 – 70.5 = 19.5
Step 2: Divide 113 by the Slope: 113 / 130 = 0.869
Step 3: Multiply the results: 19.5 x 0.869 = 16.9

Your handicap differential for that round would be 16.9.

From Differential to Handicap Index

One single round doesn't make your handicap. To calculate your Handicap Index, you need at least three 18-hole scores. Once you have 20 scores in your history, the system takes the average of the best 8 differentials. This index is then used to calculate your "Course Handicap" for whichever course you happen to play next.

Why is the Handicap Important?

Having an accurate handicap allows you to enter tournaments and play fairly against friends. It tracks your progress over time and rewards consistency rather than just one lucky round. By using the calculator above, you can see how tough a course truly is—sometimes a score of 85 on a difficult course is "better" than an 80 on an easy one!

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