Golf Handicap Calculator
Score Inputs
Enter your recent golf scores. The calculator uses the last 20 scores for the most accurate handicap calculation, but you can input fewer if you have them.
Course Details
For each score, you'll need the Course Rating and Slope Rating of the course you played. If you don't have the exact details, you can often find them on the scorecard or club's website.
Your Estimated Handicap Index
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Understanding Your Golf Handicap
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential ability. It's designed to allow players of different skill levels to compete against each other on a relatively equal basis. The handicap system adjusts a player's gross score to a net score, which represents how they would typically play under normal conditions.
How the Handicap Index is Calculated
The calculation of a Handicap Index (managed by systems like the World Handicap System – WHS) involves several steps, primarily focusing on your recent scores and the difficulty of the courses you played. Here's a simplified overview of the core calculation:
- Score Differential: For each round, a "Score Differential" is calculated. This standardizes your score based on the difficulty of the course played. The formula is:
Where:Score Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating) * (113 / Slope Rating)- Adjusted Gross Score: This is your actual score for the round, with adjustments made for things like conceding strokes on a hole or using a maximum score per hole (e.g., Net Double Bogey). For simplicity in this calculator, we're using the raw score entered.
- Course Rating: An evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer (one who can play to a 0 handicap).
- 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. The average slope rating is 113.
- Selecting Best Differentials: The system looks at your most recent scores and selects the best Score Differentials. The number of best differentials used depends on how many scores you have entered:
- 3-4 scores: Best 1 differential
- 5-6 scores: Best 2 differentials
- 7-8 scores: Best 3 differentials
- 9-11 scores: Best 4 differentials
- 12-14 scores: Best 5 differentials
- 15-17 scores: Best 6 differentials
- 18-20 scores: Best 7 differentials
- Calculating the Handicap Index: The average of the selected best Score Differentials is calculated. This average is your Handicap Index.
Handicap Index = Average of Best Score Differentials
Why Use a Handicap Calculator?
- Track Progress: See how your game is improving over time.
- Fair Competition: Allows golfers of all levels to compete in friendly games and tournaments.
- Understanding Your Game: Helps you identify areas for improvement by comparing your performance across different courses.
Important Notes:
- This calculator provides an estimated Handicap Index. Official handicaps are managed by golf associations (like the USGA, R&A) and require specific processes for verification and maintenance.
- Always use the most recent scores for the most accurate calculation.
- Ensure you have the correct Course Rating and Slope Rating for the tees you played.
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scoresContainer.appendChild(newScoreDiv);
}
function removeScoreInput(id) {
var scoreEntry = document.getElementById("scoreEntry_" + id);
if (scoreEntry) {
scoreEntry.remove();
}
}
function calculateHandicap() {
var scoreDifferentials = [];
var validScoresCount = 0;
var totalScoresEntered = scoreCount; // Start with the initial score and dynamically added ones
for (var i = 1; i 0) {
var scoreDifferential = (score – courseRating) * (113 / slopeRating);
scoreDifferentials.push(scoreDifferential);
validScoresCount++;
} else if (scoreInput.value !== "" || courseRatingInput.value !== "" || slopeRatingInput.value !== "") {
// If a field is not empty but invalid, we note that a score was attempted.
// For simplicity in this example, we only use fully valid entries for calculation.
}
}
}
var handicapResultDiv = document.getElementById("handicapResult");
var notesDiv = document.getElementById("notes");
if (validScoresCount === 0) {
handicapResultDiv.textContent = "N/A";
notesDiv.textContent = "Please enter at least one valid score, course rating, and slope rating to calculate your handicap.";
return;
}
// Determine how many best differentials to use
var numBestDifferentials;
if (validScoresCount < 3) {
numBestDifferentials = 1;
} else if (validScoresCount < 5) {
numBestDifferentials = 2;
} else if (validScoresCount < 7) {
numBestDifferentials = 3;
} else if (validScoresCount < 9) {
numBestDifferentials = 4;
} else if (validScoresCount < 12) {
numBestDifferentials = 5;
} else if (validScoresCount validScoresCount) {
numBestDifferentials = validScoresCount;
}
// Sort differentials in ascending order
scoreDifferentials.sort(function(a, b) { return a – b; });
// Select the best differentials
var bestDifferentials = scoreDifferentials.slice(0, numBestDifferentials);
// Calculate the average of the best differentials
var sumOfBestDifferentials = 0;
for (var j = 0; j < bestDifferentials.length; j++) {
sumOfBestDifferentials += bestDifferentials[j];
}
var averageDifferential = sumOfBestDifferentials / bestDifferentials.length;
// Format the Handicap Index (typically to one decimal place)
var handicapIndex = averageDifferential.toFixed(1);
handicapResultDiv.textContent = handicapIndex;
var notesText = "Calculation based on " + validScoresCount + " valid score(s). Using the best " + numBestDifferentials + " Score Differential(s). ";
if (validScoresCount < 20) {
notesText += "For a more accurate Handicap Index, enter up to 20 of your most recent scores.";
}
notesDiv.textContent = notesText;
}