Golf Handicap Calculator

Calculate your golf handicap index and course handicap using official USGA methodology

Calculate Your Golf Handicap

Golf Handicap Calculation Form

Choose what you want to calculate

Your Handicap Results

What Your Handicap Means

About Golf Handicaps

A golf handicap allows players of different skill levels to compete fairly by adjusting scores based on course difficulty and player ability.

Handicap Index vs Course Handicap

  • Handicap Index: A measure of a player's potential ability, portable across all courses
  • Course Handicap: The number of strokes a player receives on a specific course
  • Net Score: Gross score minus course handicap

How Handicap is Calculated

  • Score Differentials: (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating
  • Best Scores: Uses the best 8 of 20 most recent scores
  • Exceptional Scores: Bonuses for scores 7+ strokes better than handicap
  • Maximum Handicap: 54.0 for men and women (no separate maximums)

Course Rating and Slope

  • Course Rating: Expected score for a scratch golfer (par average)
  • Slope Rating: Relative difficulty for bogey golfers (55-155 scale)
  • 113 Slope: Standard slope rating for reference

Playing Handicap

For competitions, playing handicap may include additional adjustments like: percentage reductions, stroke allocations for specific formats, and maximum limits.

Improving Your Handicap

  • Consistent practice and lessons
  • Track all scores accurately
  • Play different types of courses
  • Focus on course management
  • Improve short game and putting