⛳ Golf Handicap Calculator
Calculate your Handicap Index, Course Handicap, and Playing Handicap based on World Handicap System (WHS) principles. Manage your scores and track your progress.
Your Handicap Index
Calculation Breakdown
Your Handicaps for This Course
Calculation Breakdown
Score History & Data
| Date | Course | AGS | C.R. | Slope | Differential | Actions |
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Handicap Index History
Data Management
Your data stays on this device. No data is sent to any server.
What Is a Golf Handicap Index?
A Golf Handicap Index is the cornerstone of the World Handicap System (WHS), designed to measure a player's potential golfing ability. It's a single, portable number that allows golfers of all skill levels to compete on a fair and equitable basis on any course around the world. Your Handicap Index is not your average score; rather, it reflects your demonstrated potential, calculated from the best 8 of your most recent 20 scores. This system ensures that a temporary dip in form doesn't drastically inflate your handicap, making it a more stable and accurate representation of your skill.
How Score Differentials & Course Rating Work
The calculation of your Handicap Index relies on a key metric: the Score Differential. After each round, a differential is calculated to standardize your performance based on the difficulty of the course you played. The formula is:
Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating) × 113 / Slope Rating
Here’s what each component means:
- Adjusted Gross Score (AGS): Your gross score adjusted for outlier holes (e.g., using Net Double Bogey) to prevent a single bad hole from skewing the result.
- Course Rating: An evaluation of a course's difficulty for a scratch golfer (0 handicap), expressed as a score.
- Slope Rating: Measures the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The neutral value is 113. A higher slope means the course is disproportionately harder for higher-handicap players.
By using this formula, a score of 85 on an easy course (low rating/slope) will produce a higher differential than an 85 on a very difficult course, accurately reflecting the quality of the performance.
From Handicap Index to Course & Playing Handicaps
Your Handicap Index is a general measure of ability, but it's not the number of strokes you get on a given day. For that, you need to calculate your Course Handicap and Playing Handicap.
The Course Handicap adjusts your index for the specific course and tees you're playing. A difficult course with a high Slope Rating will give you more strokes than an easier course.
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) (result is rounded)
The Playing Handicap further refines this number based on the format of the competition. Different formats (like stroke play, match play, or team events) use a handicap allowance (a percentage) to ensure equity. For example, in individual stroke play, you might get 95% of your Course Handicap.
Playing Handicap = Course Handicap × Handicap Allowance % (result is rounded)
Posting Scores, Adjusted Gross Score & Net Double Bogey
To maintain an accurate Handicap Index, it's crucial to post every acceptable score. However, to prevent a few disastrous holes from overly penalizing a player, scores are adjusted. The most common method is Net Double Bogey. This sets a maximum score for any given hole for handicap purposes.
The maximum hole score is calculated as: Par of the hole + 2 (double bogey) + any handicap strokes received on that hole. For example, if you are a 15-handicap golfer playing a par-4 hole where you receive one stroke, your maximum score for that hole is 4 (par) + 2 (double bogey) + 1 (stroke) = 7. If you actually scored a 9, you would record a 7 for handicap calculation purposes. This results in your Adjusted Gross Score, which is then used to calculate your Score Differential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to adjust my gross score?
Adjusting your gross score (e.g., to Net Double Bogey) prevents exceptionally high scores on one or two holes from disproportionately affecting your handicap. It provides a more accurate reflection of your potential ability.
How often is my Handicap Index updated?
Under the WHS, your Handicap Index updates daily, provided you have posted a new score. This ensures your handicap is always current.
What if I have fewer than 20 scores?
The system has a specific table for calculating your index with fewer than 20 scores. For example, with only 3 scores, your index is based on your single lowest differential. As you post more scores, the calculation becomes more robust.
Does my Handicap Index ever expire?
A Handicap Index doesn't "expire," but it may become inactive if you don't post scores regularly. It is always based on your 20 most recent scores, so older scores are automatically phased out as you add new ones.
Can I use this calculator for my official handicap?
No. This tool is for educational and planning purposes only. To establish and maintain an official WHS Handicap Index, you must be a member of a golf club and post scores through your national or regional golf association.
What is the standard base slope rating?
The base slope rating, representing a course of standard relative difficulty, is 113. This number is used as the denominator in the Score Differential and Course Handicap formulas to normalize calculations.
What are handicap caps?
The WHS includes "soft" and "hard" caps to limit the upward movement of a player's Handicap Index over a rolling 365-day period. This prevents a temporary loss of form from causing a player's index to skyrocket, ensuring it remains a reflection of underlying ability.
What's a "Net Score"?
A Net Score is your gross (actual) score minus your Course Handicap. It represents your score after your handicap strokes have been applied, allowing for a fair comparison between golfers of different abilities.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only and implements WHS principles. For an official handicap, please post scores through your national golf association or club.
