Golf Handicap Calculator
Enter 3 to 20 recent rounds, each with your score, the course rating and the slope rating of the tees you played. Press Calculate Handicap. The calculator works out each round's score differential and your Handicap Index by the USGA Rules of Handicapping, the World Handicap System. Fill in the course rating, slope and par of one course to see your Course Handicap there too.
Recent Rounds (3 to 20)
Course Handicap (optional)
How to use the Golf Handicap Calculator
- Enter your numbers in the Golf Handicap Calculator above.
- Press the Calculate Handicap button to see the result.
- To try other numbers, change any value and press the button again.
The World Handicap System calculation
Score Differential = (113 / Slope Rating) × (Score − Course Rating) · · · Handicap Index = average of the lowest 8 of 20 differentials · · · Course Handicap = Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating − Par)
Each differential is rounded to the nearest tenth. With fewer than 20 rounds the calculator averages fewer differentials, as the table in Rule 5.2a sets out: the lowest 1 for 3 to 5 rounds, the lowest 2 for 6 to 8, 3 for 9 to 11, 4 for 12 to 14, 5 for 15 or 16, 6 for 17 or 18 and 7 for 19. With 3 rounds it then takes off 2.0, and with 4 or 6 rounds 1.0. The Index is rounded to the nearest tenth and never goes above 54.0. The Course Handicap is rounded to a whole number. The calculator leaves out the playing conditions calculation, the soft and hard caps and exceptional score reductions, because those need your full scoring record.
Worked example
A round of 90 on tees with a course rating of 70.5 and a slope of 125 gives a differential of (113 / 125) × (90 − 70.5) = 17.628, shown as 17.6. Say your first three rounds give differentials of 15.3, 15.2 and 16.6. The calculator takes the lowest, 15.2, subtracts 2.0 and shows a Handicap Index of 13.2. On a course with a rating of 70.5, a slope of 125 and par 72, that Index gives a Course Handicap of 13.2 × 125 / 113 − 1.5 = 13.1, rounded to 13.
Frequently asked questions
How is course handicap different from index?
Your Handicap Index goes with you from course to course. Your Course Handicap is the number of strokes you get from one set of tees: Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating − Par), rounded to the nearest whole number. Fill in the optional Course Handicap fields and the calculator shows it.
How many rounds do I need to establish a handicap?
Three. The table in Rule 5.2a starts at 3 score differentials, and the calculator asks for at least 3 rounds. With 20 rounds the Index is the average of the lowest 8 of the most recent 20. The calculator takes up to 20 rounds, so enter your most recent ones.
Why might my result differ from my official Handicap Index?
Rule 5.1a uses your adjusted gross score and a playing conditions adjustment for the day. The calculator takes the score as you type it and no playing conditions adjustment. Your official Index can also be held back by the soft and hard caps, or lowered after an exceptional score. The calculator applies neither.