Golf Handicap Calculator
Enter your scores for each round played. The calculator will use the best eligible scores to determine your handicap index.
Understanding the Golf Handicap System
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential ability. It allows players of different skill levels to compete against each other on a relatively equal basis. The handicap system, as governed by the World Handicap System (WHS), aims to provide a unified and equitable way to compare the performance of golfers worldwide.
How is a Handicap Index Calculated?
The calculation of a Handicap Index is based on a golfer's "Score Differentials" from recent rounds. A Score Differential takes into account the difficulty of the course played (Course Rating) and the slope of the course (Slope Rating).
The formula for a Score Differential is:
Score Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating) * (113 / Slope Rating)
For this simplified calculator, we'll assume a standard course with a Course Rating and Slope Rating, or focus on using raw scores relative to par if those are not provided. The official WHS uses specific Course Ratings and Slope Ratings for each tee box at every golf course. When you submit scores to a handicap service, these ratings are applied.
To calculate your Handicap Index, you need to submit a minimum of 54 holes (e.g., three 18-hole rounds) of scores. The system then takes the best 8 Score Differentials from your most recent 20 rounds played. The Handicap Index is the average of these best 8 Score Differentials.
Using This Calculator
This calculator provides a simplified approach. It assumes you are entering your gross scores (total strokes per round). For a precise Handicap Index according to WHS rules, you would need to input your Adjusted Gross Score for each round. An Adjusted Gross Score is your gross score adjusted for specific rules, such as applying a net double bogey (the maximum score for a hole). You would also need to know the Course Rating and Slope Rating for the tees you played.
This calculator takes the 8 lowest scores you enter (out of the ones provided) and averages them, providing a basic estimate of your potential handicap. It does NOT factor in Course Rating or Slope Rating, which are crucial for an official WHS Handicap Index.
Key Terms:
- Gross Score: The total number of strokes a golfer takes to complete a round of golf.
- Adjusted Gross Score: A gross score adjusted for specific rules, primarily to limit the impact of exceptionally high scores on a single hole.
- Course Rating: An evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer, under normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed as strokes taken to play each hole.
- Slope Rating: A measure of the relative difficulty of a course for a player who is not a scratch golfer compared to a scratch golfer. It is expressed as strokes on a scale of 55 to 155.
- Score Differential: The calculation that normalizes your score to the difficulty of the course played.
- Handicap Index: A measure of a golfer's playing ability on a course of standard difficulty. It is the average of your best 8 Score Differentials from your last 20 rounds.
For official handicaps and precise calculations, always use a recognized handicap service or software that adheres to World Handicap System rules.