Golf Handicap Calculator

Category: Sports
- May 14, 2025
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Calculate your golf handicap index based on your recent scores. This calculator uses the World Handicap System (WHS) method, taking your best 8 scores from your last 20 rounds.

Enter Your Golf Scores

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About the World Handicap System (WHS)

The World Handicap System (WHS) was implemented in 2020 to unify the various handicap systems used around the world. Here's how it works:

Score Differential Formula

For each round, a score differential is calculated using this formula:

Score Differential = (113 ÷ Slope Rating) × (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating)
Handicap Index Calculation

Your Handicap Index is calculated based on your best score differentials:

  • Fewer than 3 scores: No Handicap Index can be calculated
  • 3 scores: Lowest score differential - 2.0
  • 4 scores: Lowest score differential - 1.0
  • 5 scores: Lowest score differential
  • 6 scores: Average of lowest 2 score differentials - 1.0
  • 7-8 scores: Average of lowest 2 score differentials
  • 9-11 scores: Average of lowest 3 score differentials
  • 12-14 scores: Average of lowest 4 score differentials
  • 15-16 scores: Average of lowest 5 score differentials
  • 17-18 scores: Average of lowest 6 score differentials
  • 19 scores: Average of lowest 7 score differentials
  • 20+ scores: Average of lowest 8 score differentials
Course Handicap

Your Course Handicap for a specific golf course is calculated using:

Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating - Par)
Playing Handicap

In competition, your Playing Handicap might be adjusted based on the format:

Playing Handicap = Course Handicap × Handicap Allowance

Handicap Allowance varies by format (e.g., 95% for individual stroke play, 85% for four-ball).

What Is the Golf Handicap Calculator?

The Golf Handicap Calculator helps golfers estimate their Handicap Index based on recent performance. This tool follows the World Handicap System (WHS), which takes into account the difficulty of the course and the player’s scores over time. It calculates your potential ability and allows for fair competition between players of different skill levels.

Score Differential Formula:
Score Differential = (113 ÷ Slope Rating) × (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating)
Course Handicap Formula:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par)
Playing Handicap Formula:
Playing Handicap = Course Handicap × Handicap Allowance

How to Use the Calculator

The calculator is easy to use and requires basic details from your recent rounds of golf. Follow these steps to get your Handicap Index:

  • Enter your score, course rating, and slope rating for each round.
  • You can add up to 20 scores to get the most accurate result.
  • Choose how many decimal places you want the result to show.
  • Click “Calculate Handicap” to view your Handicap Index and supporting details.
  • If needed, click “Reset” to start over with fresh entries.

What Do the Inputs Mean?

  • Score: Your actual strokes taken in a round.
  • Course Rating: A number that represents the expected score for a scratch golfer.
  • Slope Rating: A measure of course difficulty for a bogey golfer, ranging from 55 to 155.

How the Handicap Index Is Calculated

The Handicap Index is based on the average of your best score differentials from recent rounds, following these WHS rules:

  • 3 scores: Lowest differential − 2.0
  • 4 scores: Lowest differential − 1.0
  • 5 scores: Lowest differential
  • 6 scores: Average of lowest 2 differentials − 1.0
  • 7–8 scores: Average of lowest 2 differentials
  • 9–11 scores: Average of lowest 3 differentials
  • 12–14 scores: Average of lowest 4 differentials
  • 15–16 scores: Average of lowest 5 differentials
  • 17–18 scores: Average of lowest 6 differentials
  • 19 scores: Average of lowest 7 differentials
  • 20 scores: Average of lowest 8 differentials

Why This Calculator Is Useful

This tool gives golfers a clear and quick way to understand their playing ability. Whether you're preparing for a tournament or tracking your progress, knowing your Handicap Index helps you:

  • Play on a level field with others regardless of experience.
  • Set performance goals and measure improvement.
  • Join handicap-based competitions with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Handicap Index?
It’s a number that represents your golfing ability. The lower your index, the better the golfer you are considered to be.

What is a good golf handicap?
A “good” handicap depends on your goals. Most casual golfers fall between 15 and 25. Competitive amateurs might have a handicap under 10.

Can I use this for official competitions?
This calculator is meant for personal use and practice. For official handicaps, scores must be submitted through authorized golf clubs or systems.

Do I need exactly 20 scores?
No. You can use as few as 3 rounds, though more scores improve accuracy.

What if my slope rating is different for each course?
That’s expected. Enter the correct rating for each round to ensure accurate results.

How often should I recalculate my handicap?
Every time you complete a new round. This keeps your handicap up to date with your current performance.