Your golf handicap is a number that shows how many strokes above par you typically shoot

A golf handicap is a measure of your playing ability expressed as a whole number. It tells you how many strokes above the course par you are likely to shoot on an average day. A golfer with a handicap of 10 will typically shoot 10 strokes more than par; a golfer with a handicap of 25 will shoot about 25 strokes more. The lower the number, the better the player.

The handicap system exists so that golfers of different skill levels can compete fairly against each other. Two players with the same handicap should have roughly equal chances of winning a match, even if one shoots in the 70s and the other shoots in the 90s, because their handicaps adjust for the difficulty of the courses they play.

You can calculate your own handicap using your recent scores and a straightforward formula. The official system is run by the United States Golf Association (USGA), but the math itself is straightforward enough to do on paper or in a spreadsheet.

Key Takeaways

  • You need at least five rounds of 18-hole golf scores to calculate a handicap; more scores give you a more accurate number.
  • The calculation uses the course rating and slope rating for each course where you played, not just your raw score.
  • You subtract the course rating from your score, multiply by 113, then divide by the slope rating to get a handicap differential for each round.
  • Your handicap is the average of your best differentials (usually the lowest 8 out of your last 20 rounds), rounded to the nearest whole number.
  • The USGA maintains official handicaps through member clubs, but you can track your own handicap using the same math for personal reference.

What you need before you start calculating

Gather your score cards from at least five rounds of 18-hole golf. Each card must show your gross score (the total number of strokes you took) and the name of the course where you played. You will also need the course rating and slope rating for each course.

The course rating is a decimal number (usually between 65 and 77) that represents what a scratch golfer (a golfer with a 0 handicap) would be expected to shoot on that course. The slope rating is a number between 55 and 155 that shows how much harder the course is for a bogey golfer (a golfer with an 18 handicap) compared to a scratch golfer. Both numbers appear on the scorecard itself, usually near the hole-by-hole yardage.

If you have lost your scorecards, call the pro shop at each course and ask for the course rating and slope rating. They will have this information on file. You will need to provide the date you played so they can give you the correct ratings, because courses sometimes change their ratings year to year.

The formula for calculating a handicap differential

For each round, you will calculate a single number called the handicap differential. This number accounts for the difficulty of the course you played, so that a score of 85 at a hard course counts differently than a score of 85 at an straightforward course.

The formula is:

(Gross Score − Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating = Handicap Differential

The number 113 is a standard multiplier used by the USGA. It represents the slope rating of an average course, so the formula scales your score relative to how hard the course actually was.

Here is a worked example. Suppose you shot 92 at a course with a rating of 71.5 and a slope of 125. Your calculation would be:

(92 − 71.5) × 113 ÷ 125 = 20.5 × 113 ÷ 125 = 2,316.5 ÷ 125 = 18.5

Your handicap differential for that round is 18.5. Repeat this calculation for each of your five or more rounds, and you will have a list of differentials.

Averaging your best differentials to find your handicap

Once you have calculated the handicap differential for each round, sort them from lowest to highest. Your handicap is based on your best performances, not your average performance across all rounds.

If you have five to seven rounds, use the lowest one. If you have eight to eleven rounds, use the lowest two. If you have twelve to fourteen rounds, use the lowest three. If you have fifteen to sixteen rounds, use the lowest four. If you have seventeen to eighteen rounds, use the lowest five. If you have nineteen to twenty rounds, use the lowest six. If you have more than twenty rounds, use the lowest eight.

Add up the differentials you are using, divide by how many you used, and round to the nearest whole number. That is your handicap.

For example, if you have ten rounds with differentials of 18.5, 19.2, 20.1, 21.3, 22.0, 23.5, 24.1, 25.0, 26.2, and 27.5, you would use the lowest two: 18.5 and 19.2. Add them: 18.5 + 19.2 = 37.7. Divide by 2: 37.7 ÷ 2 = 18.85. Round to the nearest whole number: your handicap is 19.

Why the USGA system uses slope and course rating

A score of 85 means something different depending on where you shot it. At a short, straightforward course with a slope of 110 and a rating of 68, a score of 85 is quite good. At a long, difficult course with a slope of 140 and a rating of 75, a score of 85 is not as impressive. The slope and course rating adjust for this difference.

Without these adjustments, a golfer who plays mostly at straightforward courses would have an artificially low handicap, and a golfer who plays mostly at difficult courses would have an artificially high one. The formula levels the playing field so that your handicap reflects your actual skill, not just where you happen to play.

Tracking your handicap over time

Your handicap changes as you post new scores. When you play another round, calculate its differential, add it to your list, and recalculate your handicap using the same rules (lowest 8 out of 20, or whatever bracket you fall into). Your handicap will go down if you shoot better than your current average, and it will go up if you shoot worse.

The USGA updates official handicaps once a week for golfers registered through a club. If you are calculating your own handicap for personal tracking, you can update it as often as you like — after every round, or once a month, depending on how closely you want to follow your progress.

Keep your scorecards and the course ratings you used. If you ever join a golf club or want to enter a tournament, you may need to show your records to prove your handicap history.

The difference between your handicap and your handicap index

The USGA calls the number you calculate your handicap index. This is the portable number that travels with you from course to course. When you play at a specific course, you convert your handicap index into a course handicap using the slope rating of that particular course. The course handicap is what you actually use to adjust your score in a match or tournament.

For most casual golfers, the distinction does not matter much. You can use your handicap index as your handicap for friendly games. But if you enter a tournament or play in a formal match, the tournament organizer will tell you how to convert your index to a course handicap for their specific course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I calculate a handicap from nine-hole scores?

The USGA system is designed for 18-hole rounds. If you only have nine-hole scores, you can estimate by doubling your nine-hole differential, but this is less accurate than using full 18-hole rounds. Most handicap calculations require at least five 18-hole rounds.

What if I have not played five rounds yet?

You cannot calculate an official handicap with fewer than five rounds. Keep playing and recording your scores. Once you have five rounds, you can calculate a preliminary handicap and update it as you play more rounds.

Do I need to use the same course every time?

No. One of the strengths of the handicap system is that it works across different courses. You can play at ten different courses and still calculate a single handicap that reflects your overall skill. The slope and course rating adjust for the difficulty of each course.

What if I played a course years ago and do not remember the slope rating?

Call the pro shop and give them the date. They can look up the slope and course rating that were in effect when you played. Slope ratings can change, so you need the rating from the year you played, not the current rating.

Should I use my handicap to bet money on golf?

Your handicap is designed to make matches fair, but it does not may provide you will win. Handicaps are based on your average performance, and on any given day you might play better or worse than your average. Bet only what you can afford to lose.