Usga Handicap Calculator

Use this calculator to determine your USGA Handicap Index based on your recent golf scores, course ratings, and slope ratings. The calculator uses the World Handicap System (WHS) methodology, which considers the best differentials from your most recent scores.

Enter Your Recent Score Data

Please enter your Adjusted Gross Score, Course Rating, and Slope Rating for each of your recent rounds. The calculator will use the appropriate number of best differentials based on the total valid scores entered (up to 10 entries provided here for demonstration; the WHS typically uses up to 20 scores).

Round #

Adjusted Gross Score

Course Rating

Slope Rating

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Understanding the USGA Handicap Index (World Handicap System)

The USGA Handicap Index, now part of the World Handicap System (WHS), is a numerical measure of a golfer's demonstrated ability relative to the difficulty of the courses played. It allows golfers of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other. The lower your Handicap Index, the better your golfing ability.

How the USGA Handicap Index is Calculated

The calculation of a Handicap Index involves several key components:

1. Adjusted Gross Score (AGS)

Before any calculation, your raw score for a round might need to be "adjusted." This adjustment, often called Net Double Bogey (NDB) or Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) under older systems, limits the maximum score you can take on any hole. This prevents a few exceptionally bad holes from disproportionately affecting your Handicap Index. For WHS, the maximum score on any hole for handicap purposes is a Net Double Bogey, which is Double Bogey plus any handicap strokes you would receive on that hole based on your Course Handicap.

2. Course Rating

The Course Rating is the USGA's evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer (a golfer with a Handicap Index of 0.0) under normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed in strokes to one decimal place (e.g., 72.5).

3. Slope Rating

The Slope Rating indicates the relative difficulty of a course for a "bogey golfer" (a golfer with a Handicap Index of approximately 20-24) compared to a scratch golfer. It ranges from 55 to 155, with 113 being the standard slope. A higher Slope Rating means the course is more challenging for higher-handicap golfers.

4. Handicap Differential

For each eligible score, a Handicap Differential is calculated using the following formula:

Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating) × 113 / Slope Rating

This formula normalizes your score, accounting for the difficulty of the course you played.

5. Best Differentials Selection

The WHS uses your 8 best Handicap Differentials from your most recent 20 scores. If you have fewer than 20 scores, a sliding scale is used:

• 3 scores: Best 1 differential
• 4 scores: Best 1 differential
• 5 scores: Best 1 differential
• 6 scores: Best 2 differentials
• 7 scores: Best 2 differentials
• 8 scores: Best 3 differentials
• 9 scores: Best 3 differentials
• 10 scores: Best 4 differentials
• 11 scores: Best 4 differentials
• 12 scores: Best 5 differentials
• 13 scores: Best 5 differentials
• 14 scores: Best 6 differentials
• 15 scores: Best 6 differentials
• 16 scores: Best 7 differentials
• 17 scores: Best 7 differentials
• 18-20 scores: Best 8 differentials

6. Calculation of Handicap Index

Once the best differentials are selected, their average is calculated. This average is then multiplied by a "bonus for excellence" factor of 0.96. The final result is truncated (not rounded) to one decimal place.

Handicap Index = (Average of Best Differentials) × 0.96

The truncation ensures that any fractional part beyond the first decimal place is simply dropped, always favoring a slightly higher (worse) handicap rather than rounding down.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter Adjusted Gross Scores: For each round, input your Adjusted Gross Score. Remember to apply Net Double Bogey adjustments if necessary.
2. Enter Course Rating: Input the Course Rating for the tees you played for each round. This is usually found on the scorecard or course website.
3. Enter Slope Rating: Input the Slope Rating for the tees you played for each round. This is also typically found on the scorecard.
4. Click "Calculate Handicap Index": The calculator will process your entries, identify the best differentials, and display your calculated Handicap Index.
5. Review Details: The "Calculation Details" section will show you the individual differentials, which ones were selected, and the steps taken to arrive at your Handicap Index.

Example Calculation

Let's say a golfer has the following 5 valid scores:

• Score 1: AGS = 85, CR = 72.0, SR = 125
• Score 2: AGS = 88, CR = 71.5, SR = 130
• Score 3: AGS = 82, CR = 70.0, SR = 120
• Score 4: AGS = 90, CR = 73.0, SR = 135
• Score 5: AGS = 86, CR = 72.5, SR = 128

Step 1: Calculate Handicap Differentials

• Differential 1 = (85 – 72.0) * 113 / 125 = 11.792
• Differential 2 = (88 – 71.5) * 113 / 130 = 14.350
• Differential 3 = (82 – 70.0) * 113 / 120 = 11.300
• Differential 4 = (90 – 73.0) * 113 / 135 = 14.222
• Differential 5 = (86 – 72.5) * 113 / 128 = 12.004

Step 2: Sort Differentials and Select Best

Sorted Differentials: 11.300, 11.792, 12.004, 14.222, 14.350

Since there are 5 scores, the WHS rule states to use the best 1 differential.

Best Differential: 11.300

Step 3: Calculate Handicap Index

Average of best differentials = 11.300 / 1 = 11.300

Handicap Index = 11.300 * 0.96 = 10.848

Truncated to one decimal place: 10.8

This golfer's Handicap Index would be 10.8.

Calculation Details:

Round " + i + ":

All Valid Differentials (Sorted):

Best " + numDifferentialsToUse + " Differentials Used for Calculation:

Final USGA Handicap Index (truncated to one decimal place): " + handicapIndex.toFixed(1) + "

Your USGA Handicap Index: " + handicapIndex.toFixed(1) + "