World Handicap Calculation

A Handicap Index is a service mark used to indicate a measurement of a player’s potential ability on a course of standard difficulty. Potential ability is measured by a player’s best scores, and is expressed as a number taken to one decimal place. These scores are identified by calculating the handicap differential for each score. The Handicap Index is calculated by taking 96 percent of the average of the best handicap differentials, and applying rule 6.1 of the world handicap system.
How to Determine Handicap Differentials
A handicap differential is computed from four elements: adjusted gross score, Course Rating, Slope Rating and 113 (the Slope Rating of a course of standard difficulty). To determine the handicap differential, subtract the Course Rating from the adjusted gross score; multiply the difference by 113; then divide the resulting number by the Slope Rating. Round the final number to the nearest tenth.Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Ratinga. Plus Handicap Differential

When the adjusted gross score is higher than the Course Rating, the handicap differential is a positive number. Following is an example for determining a differential using an adjusted gross score of 95 made on a course with a Course Rating of 71.5 and a Slope Rating of 125:

Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating:
 95 – 71.5 = 23.5
Difference x Standard Slope:
 23.5 x 113 = 2655.5
Result / Slope Rating:
 2655.5 / 125 = 21.24
Handicap Differential (rounded):
 21.2

b. Minus Handicap Differential

When the adjusted gross score is lower than the Course Rating, the handicap differential is a negative number. Following is an example for determining a differential using an adjusted gross score of 69 made on a course with a Course Rating of 71.5 and a Slope Rating of 125:

Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating:
 69 – 71.5 = -2.5
Difference x Standard Slope:
 -2.5 x 113 = -282.5
Result / Slope Rating:
 -282.5 / 125 = -2.26
Handicap Differential (rounded):
 -2.3
USGA Handicap Index Formula
The Handicap Index Formula is based on the best handicap differentials in a player’s scoring record. If a player’s scoring record contains 20 or more scores, the best 8 handicap differentials of the most recent 20 scores are used to calculate the World Handicap Index. The following procedures illustrate how authorized golf associations and golf clubs calculate a player’s Handicap Index. The procedure for calculating Handicap Indexes is as follows:

  1. Use the table below to determine the number of handicap differentials to use;
    Number of Score Differentials in scoring record Score Differential(s) to be used in calculation of Handicap Index Adjustment
    3 Lowest 1 -2.0
    4 Lowest 1 -1.0
    5 Lowest 1 0
    6 Average of lowest 2 -1.0
    7 or 8 Average of lowest 2 0
    9 to 11 Average of lowest 3 0
    12 to 14 Average of lowest 4 0
    15 or 16 Average of lowest 5 0
    17 or 18 Average of lowest 6 0
    19 Average of lowest 7 0
    20 Average of lowest 8 0
  2. Determine handicap differentials;
  3. Average the handicap differentials being used;
  4. Delete all numbers after the tenths’ digit. Do not round off to the nearest tenth.
    Total of lowest 3 handicap differentials:
    		 75
    Average (104.1 / 3):
    		 25.0
    Round off to the nearest tenth:
    		 25.0
    World Handicap Index:
    		 25.0

    Example: Twenty Scores available. The following is a sample scoring record of a player with 20 scores.

    Total of 10 lowest differentials:
    		 154.8
    Average (154.8 / 10):
    		 15.48
    Round off to the nearest tenth:
    		 15.5
    World Handicap Index:
    		 15.5
  5. Apply Section 10-3 for golfers with two or more eligible tournament scores.
Date
Adjusted
Score
Course
Rating
Slope
Rating
Handicap
Differential
3/21/97
90
70.1
116
19.4
3/12/97
91
70.1
116
20.4
2/24/97
94
72.3
123
19.9
2/20/97
*88
70.1
116
17.4
1/18/97
89
70.1
116
18.4
1/17/97
*90
72.3
123
16.3
1/16/97
91
72.3
123
17.2
12/12/96
91
70.1
116
20.4
12/10/96
91
70.1
116
20.4
11/8/96
86
68.7
105
18.6
11/4/96
90
70.1
116
19.4
11/1/96
92
72.3
123
18.1
10/24/96
*85
68.0
107
18.0
10/16/96
*78
68.7
105
10.0
10/12/96
*82
70.1
116
11.6
10/2/96
*84
70.1
116
13.5
9/14/96
94
72.3
123
19.9
9/5/96
93
72.3
123
19.0
9/4/96
*89
72.3
123
15.3
9/1/96
*88
70.1
116
17.4
* 8 scores with lowest handicap differentials

Important Disclaimer: The Sandbagger Golf Handicap Calculator and Tracker is not prepared, approved, or licensed by the and is neither sponsored nor endorsed by WHA.