The golf handicap system is a remarkable innovation that allows players of vastly different abilities to compete against each other on a level playing field. It's the great equalizer of the sport. But understanding how your personal "Handicap Index" translates into the actual strokes you get on a specific course can be confusing. Our Golf Handicap Calculator demystifies this process by applying the official World Handicap System (WHS) formula. It takes your portable Handicap Index and adjusts it for the unique difficulty of the course you're playing today, giving you your Course Handicap so you can play a fair and enjoyable match against anyone.
How to Use the Golf Handicap Calculator
Calculating your Course Handicap for your next round is simple. You'll just need a few numbers from the course's scorecard:
- Enter Your Handicap Index®: Input your official, up-to-date Handicap Index®.
- Enter the Slope Rating®: Find the Slope Rating for the specific set of tees you will be playing from.
- Enter the Course Rating™: Find the Course Rating for that same set of tees.
- Enter the Course Par: Input the par for the course.
- Calculate Your Handicap: Click the button to see your Course Handicap for that specific course and set of tees.
Understanding the Key Terms in Golf Handicapping
The World Handicap System (WHS) uses several key metrics to create a fair playing field. Understanding these terms is essential to understanding your handicap.
Handicap Index®
This is the most important number. Your Handicap Index is a measure of your demonstrated golfing ability on a course of standard difficulty. It is calculated by averaging the best 8 of your most recent 20 score differentials. This number is portable and belongs to you, not the course. You take this index with you to every course you play.
Course Rating™
The Course Rating evaluates the difficulty of a golf course for a "scratch golfer"—a highly skilled player with a 0 handicap. It's expressed as a number, often close to the par of the course (e.g., 71.8). A higher Course Rating means the course is more difficult for a scratch golfer.
Slope Rating®
This is perhaps the most crucial but least understood number. The Slope Rating measures the *relative* difficulty of a course for a "bogey golfer" (a player with a handicap of around 18-20) compared to a scratch golfer. The number ranges from 55 to 155, with the "standard" slope being 113. A course with a high Slope Rating (e.g., 140) is much more difficult for a bogey golfer than it is for a scratch golfer, meaning the bogey golfer will receive more handicap strokes. A course with a low slope (e.g., 100) plays similarly for both types of players.
Course Handicap: The Result
The Course Handicap is what this calculator determines. It is your Handicap Index adjusted for the specific difficulty (both Course Rating and Slope Rating) of the course and tees you are playing that day. This is the number of strokes you will receive to adjust your score for the round. Your Course Handicap will change from course to course and even from tee to tee on the same course.
The World Handicap System (WHS) Formula
Our calculator uses the official WHS formula to determine your Course Handicap:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating - Par)
The first part of the formula adjusts your index based on the relative difficulty for a bogey golfer (the Slope). The second part makes a further adjustment based on the difficulty for a scratch golfer (the Course Rating) relative to par. This comprehensive formula ensures a fair handicap on any rated course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get an official Handicap Index®?
You must obtain an official Handicap Index through an authorized golf association or club that is licensed to use the World Handicap System. In the United States, this is typically done by joining a local golf club or through your state's golf association, which will often give you access to the USGA's GHIN (Golf Handicap and Information Network) system for posting scores.
Where do I find the Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®?
These ratings are provided for each set of tees on a golf course. You can almost always find them printed directly on the course's scorecard. They are also often displayed on a sign near the first tee or on the golf club's official website.
Why is my Course Handicap different from my Handicap Index®?
Your Handicap Index reflects your potential on a course of standard difficulty (Slope of 113). Your Course Handicap adjusts that potential for the actual difficulty of the course you are playing. If the course is harder than standard (Slope > 113), your Course Handicap will be higher than your Index. If the course is easier (Slope < 113), it will be lower.
What is a Playing Handicap?
A Playing Handicap is a further adjustment made to your Course Handicap based on the format of the competition you are playing. For example, in a four-ball (two-person best ball) competition, you might only receive 85% or 90% of your Course Handicap. This is done to ensure equity in different team formats. For casual play or individual stroke play, your Playing Handicap is usually 100% of your Course Handicap.