Calculate Course Handicap

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Course Handicap Calculator

World Handicap System (WHS) Standard Calculation

From your handicap certificate
Found on the scorecard
Expectation for scratch golfer
Standard par for the course
Your Course Handicap:
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Understanding Your Course Handicap

A Course Handicap represents the number of strokes a golfer receives for a specific set of tees on a specific golf course. Under the World Handicap System (WHS), your Handicap Index is adjusted based on the difficulty of the course you are playing.

The WHS Formula

Course Handicap = [Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113)] + (Course Rating – Par)

Key Variables Explained

  • Handicap Index: A portable number that represents your demonstrated ability on a course of standard difficulty.
  • Slope Rating: A measure of the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. 113 is the standard slope.
  • Course Rating: The score a scratch golfer (0 handicap) is expected to shoot from a specific set of tees.
  • Par: The predetermined number of strokes a scratch golfer should require to complete a hole or the course.

Calculation Example

If you have a Handicap Index of 15.0, and you are playing a course with a Slope Rating of 130, a Course Rating of 71.2, and a Par of 72:

  1. Adjustment for Slope: 15.0 × (130 / 113) = 17.256
  2. Adjustment for Rating vs Par: 71.2 – 72 = -0.8
  3. Raw Total: 17.256 + (-0.8) = 16.456
  4. Course Handicap: 16 (Rounded to the nearest whole number)
function calculateCourseHandicap() { var index = parseFloat(document.getElementById('handicapIndex').value); var slope = parseFloat(document.getElementById('slopeRating').value); var rating = parseFloat(document.getElementById('courseRating').value); var par = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coursePar').value); var resultBox = document.getElementById('handicapResult'); var resultValue = document.getElementById('resultValue'); var resultDetails = document.getElementById('resultDetails'); if (isNaN(index) || isNaN(slope) || isNaN(rating) || isNaN(par)) { alert("Please enter valid numbers in all fields."); return; } // WHS Formula: Course Handicap = (Index * (Slope / 113)) + (Rating – Par) var slopeAdjustment = index * (slope / 113); var ratingAdjustment = rating – par; var rawHandicap = slopeAdjustment + ratingAdjustment; var finalHandicap = Math.round(rawHandicap); resultValue.innerHTML = finalHandicap; var detailText = "Calculated using the WHS formula: (" + index + " × (" + slope + " / 113)) + (" + rating + " – " + par + ") = " + rawHandicap.toFixed(3); resultDetails.innerHTML = detailText; resultBox.style.display = 'block'; // Smooth scroll to result resultBox.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' }); }

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