Golf Handicap Calculator

Estimate your golf handicap index from your recent scores. Enter your scores, course rating, and slope rating to calculate your handicap.

Handicap Index (estimate)

17.1

Course Handicap19
Best Differential14.5

Handicap Index (estimate) vs Score (Round 1)

How Golf Handicap Is Calculated

Formula

Score Differential = (Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating

Handicap Index = Average of Best Differentials x 0.96

The official USGA system uses the best 8 of 20 most recent differentials. This simplified calculator uses 3 rounds to give an estimate.

What Slope and Course Rating Mean

  • Course Rating: The expected score for a scratch (0-handicap) golfer. Typically 68-74.
  • Slope Rating: Measures difficulty for bogey golfers relative to scratch golfers. Range is 55-155, with 113 being standard.
  • Example Calculation

    Calculate handicap from scores of 92, 88, and 95 on a course rated 72/125.

    1. 01Differential 1 = (92 - 72) x 113/125 = 20 x 0.904 = 18.08.
    2. 02Differential 2 = (88 - 72) x 113/125 = 16 x 0.904 = 14.46.
    3. 03Differential 3 = (95 - 72) x 113/125 = 23 x 0.904 = 20.79.
    4. 04Average = (18.08 + 14.46 + 20.79) / 3 = 17.78.
    5. 05Handicap Index = 17.78 x 0.96 = 17.1.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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