The handicap in golf is arguably the most essential figure. It provides a standard universal measure that can even the playing field of a game of golf for players of all abilities, and thus provide a measure for players and all levels to enjoy the game universally. If you have ever thought about, “How to calculate golf handicap myself?” you are in the right place.
This method is now standardized under WHS (World Handicap System), making it very logical, while still accurate for everyone around the world. Understanding how to make the calculation yourself could be a key to tracking your progress and determining a relevant goal. We will work through the formula step by step and provide a very clear example so you can measure your progress with confidence.
Understanding the Handicap Formula
The Handicap Differential allows a player to evaluate their performance versus the distinct difficulty of the course they played, using the Course Rating and the Slope Rating as part of that evaluation. To effectively determine how to calculate golf handicap, you must first master the Score Differential formula.
Certainly WHS-certified apps or your club will validate and keep track of your official Handicap Index but it’s entirely possible to compute these individual Handicap Differentials manually for your records, and having an understanding of these baseline components is very helpful for monitoring growth.
Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating) × 113 / Slope Rating
The last computation is left to the certified software for correctness, but it is still beneficial to know these basic elements.
- Adjusted Gross Score (AGS): This is your gross score for the round, less adjustments associated with the WHS cap for high hole scores, known as Net Double Bogey. This put a cap above your score on a single horrible hole does not have an adverse effect on your gross score overall.
- Course Rating: This is the difficulty score of an 18-hole golf course for a scratch golfer (a player with zero handicap). It indicates the playing difficulty that can be expected under normal conditions. For a detailed understanding of the Course Rating, feel free to go through our complete guide.
- Slope Rating: Slope rating gives an indication of how much more difficult a golf course is to play for a bogey golfer (one with a higher handicap) than for a scratch golfer. This figure can be anywhere from 55 to 155 (113 is the average Slope Rating). For a more thorough explanation of this important component, check out our post about the Slope Rating.
- The Constant(113): This is the average Slope Rating and also serves as a constant in the calculation globally.
To see a complete description of the WHS calculation methods and the Rules of Handicapping, see the official USGA and R&A guidance: USGA Golf FAQs.
Sample Course & Slope Ratings Data
To demonstrate the calculation, we’ll use a sample course that you might encounter.
| Tee Colour | Course Rating | Slope Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Blue (Longest) | 72.8 | 135 |
| White (Middle) | 71.0 | 128 |
| Red (Forward) | 68.5 | 118 |
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Golf Handicap?
If you want to know how to calculate golf handicap for the WHS, you need a minimum of three 18-hole scores (or six 9-hole scores) to establish an initial Index. The final, stable calculation requires a history of 20 scores.
We will explain the process using a fully developed 20-score history with a numerical example.
Example: Determining Your Index
Assume that you have played 20 rounds and that the table below reflects the Handicap Differentials calculated for all of these 20 rounds ordered from best (lowest) to worst (highest).
| Round | Handicap Differential |
|---|---|
| 1 (Best) | 8.2 |
| 2 | 9.1 |
| 3 | 9.4 |
| 4 | 9.5 |
| 5 | 9.8 |
| 6 | 10.1 |
| 7 | 10.3 |
| 8 | 10.5 |
| 9 | 11.0 |
| 10 | 11.2 |
| — | — |
| 20 (Worst) | 16.5 |
Below is the 8-step procedure to calculate your Handicap Index:
Step 1: Gather Your Last 20 Scores
You can record scores from your last 20 official 18-hole rounds. For more explanation of the underlying concept, read our complete article How does golf handicap work?
Step 2: Change Each Score (Net Double Bogey)
Each raw score needs to be altered using the Net Double Bogey limit (Par + 2 strokes + any handicap strokes for that hole) before you can calculate the differential. This is referred to as your Adjusted Gross Score.
Step 3: Calculate Your Handicap Differentials
Referring to the WHS Handicap Differential Formula above, a differential will need to be calculated for all the rounds you submitted. This number represents your score, adjusted only for the difficulty – the Course Rating and Slope Rating of the tees you played – of the tees you play.
Step 4: Pick Your Best 8 of the Last 20
The WHS uses a rolling average. Out of your last 20 eligible scores, you will choose 8 which has the lowest Handicap Differentials. (In our example those would be rounds 1 through 8 and the differentials average from 8.2 to 10.5).
Step 5: Average Those 8
Add the selected differentials and divide it by 8 to get the average of your differentials.
Example : (8.2 + 9.1 + 9.4 + 9.5 + 9.8 + 10.1 + 10.3 + 10.5) / 8 = 76.9 / 8 = 9.6125
Step 6: Use WHS Rules (No Correction Factor)
The WHS uses the average calculated above directly as part of the process. There is no longer a 0.96 correction factor when calculating you final Index.
Step 7: Round to One Decimal Place
The number above is your Handicap Index, rounded out to the tenth.
Example Result: 9.6
Step 8: Confirm with WHS or Club Software
Your final, official Handicap Index is submitted and tracked by the governing body (like the USGA or R&A) or your official golf club’s software. You can watch an official video explaining the course index calculation here: WHS Course Index Calculation Video.
Handling 9-Hole Rounds: To have an eligible 18-hole score, the WHS combines two 9-hole rounds. When the differential is calculated, the Course Rating and Slope Rating for the two 9-hole courses are added together before the differential is calculated.
Smart Tools to Calculate Golf Handicap Automatically
The WHS calculation is complex because it involves real-time course data, mandatory adjustments for high scores, and tracking your rolling 20-round history. Thankfully, no golfer has to do this by hand anymore.
The latest solutions, of which several GPS rangefinder devices and dedicated mobile apps exist, make it much easier. These tools automatically import your score after a round, access the live Course Rating and Slope Rating data, calculate the differentials, and handle the WHS calculations instantly and accurately. They offer an instant, error-free way to maintain your current index.
We offer a convenient way to track this data. Use ParTeeOf18’s Free Golf Handicap Estimator. Our tool does the math instantly using live course data, giving you a clear estimate of your current index, which is essential for managing your game.
FAQs
What is a Handicap Index?
The Handicap Index is your measure of demonstrated scoring ability, calculated under the WHS. It’s the number, rounded to one decimal place, used universally to determine your Course Handicap.
What does the Handicap Index number mean?
It denotes the average of your top 8 Handicap Differentials from the last 20 rounds. This is the measurement of your demonstrated scoring ability.
What is a Course Handicap and how is it different than my Handicap Index?
Your Handicap Index is permanent and travels with you. Your Course Handicap is the number of strokes issued for a specific round, using your Index and the Slope rating of the tees you play.
What does “popping the scorecard” mean?
This is a golf term which means to purposely stop entering a score on the scorecard of a hole once you have reached the maximum Net Double Bogey limit or maximum strokes you can take on that hole because the additional strokes will not count toward your Handicap Differential score.
What is the maximum Handicap Index?
The maximum Handicap Index allowed under the World Handicap System is 54.0 for both men and women.
