General
Golf Handicap Calculator
Calculate your golf handicap index using your recent scores and course ratings to track your performance.
Enter your golf scores to calculate your handicap index
The Golf Handicap Calculator uses the World Handicap System (WHS) formula to calculate your handicap index based on your recent golf scores. The system takes into account your gross scores, course ratings, and slope ratings to determine your playing ability relative to par.
Handicap Differential Formula
(Score - Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating = Handicap Differential
The calculator follows these steps to determine your handicap index:
- Calculates the handicap differential for each round using the formula above
- Sorts the differentials from lowest to highest
- Selects the appropriate number of lowest differentials based on the number of scores available:
- 20 scores: Uses lowest 8 differentials
- 15-19 scores: Uses lowest 6 differentials
- 10-14 scores: Uses lowest 4 differentials
- 5-9 scores: Uses lowest 2 differentials
- 3-4 scores: Uses lowest 1 differential
- Averages the selected differentials
- Rounds the final result to one decimal place
Your golf handicap index represents your potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty (slope rating of 113). The lower your handicap index, the better your golf game is considered to be.
Handicap Categories
- Scratch Golfer: 0 handicap
- Low Handicap: 1-10
- Mid Handicap: 11-20
- High Handicap: 21-36
To use your handicap index on a specific course, multiply it by the course's slope rating divided by 113, then add the difference between the course rating and par. This gives you your playing handicap for that course.
1. What is a good golf handicap?
A handicap of 10 or less is generally considered good. The average male golfer's handicap is around 16, while the average female golfer's handicap is around 28. However, any handicap that shows improvement in your game is positive.
2. How often should I update my handicap?
Under the World Handicap System, your handicap index updates daily if you've submitted a new score. It's recommended to submit all your eligible scores to maintain an accurate handicap index that reflects your current playing ability.
3. What are course rating and slope rating?
Course rating represents the expected score for a scratch golfer (0 handicap) under normal conditions. Slope rating measures the relative difficulty of a course for bogey golfers compared to scratch golfers, ranging from 55 to 155, with 113 being standard difficulty.
4. Can I include all my golf scores?
You should only include scores from rounds played under the Rules of Golf on rated golf courses. Practice rounds, incomplete rounds, or rounds played under significantly modified rules should not be included in handicap calculations.
5. What is the scientific source for this calculator?
This calculator implements the official World Handicap System (WHS) formula established by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A. The WHS was developed through extensive research and statistical analysis of millions of golf scores worldwide. The system was implemented globally in 2020 after years of scientific study of scoring patterns, course difficulty measurements, and playing conditions. The formula and methodology are based on the USGA's Course Rating System and Slope Rating System, which have been continuously refined since their introduction in 1911 and 1982 respectively.