How to Calculate a Golf Handicap
Start tracking your
handicap today!
A golf handicap index (HcpI) is a number that is calculated to measures the average
score that a golfer is likely to shoot. By using your handicap index a golfer can
calculate their golf course handicap, which is used to determine how many strokes
the golfer will take off from their score to arrive at their net score. Your handicap
index can be used to calculate your golf course handicap on any course with a golf
course rating and slope rating. Due to the varying difficulty of courses, your golf
course handicap may be different from course to course. In this article, I will
show you how to calculate your golf handicap index and golf course handicap by using
the USGA handicap formula.
To calculate your golf handicap index, a golfer must take the best ten differentials
of their last twenty eighteen-hole rounds and then average the differential scores
for each round. The result is then multiplied by 96% and then truncated to one decimal
point to come up with the golfer’s handicap index.
USGA Differential and Golf Handicap Formula
Differential = (AGS – CRtg) x (StdSR / SRtg)
HcpI = Average Top 10 Differentials of Last 20 x 96%
* AGS - Adjusted Gross Score, CRtg - Course Rating, StdSR - Standard Slope Rating
(113), SRtg - Slope Rating, HcpI - Handicap Index
Number of
Scores
|
Golf Score
Differentials
to be Used
|
|
5 or 6
|
Lowest 1
|
|
7 or 8
|
Lowest 2
|
|
9 or 10
|
Lowest 3
|
|
11 or 12
|
Lowest 4
|
|
13 or 14
|
Lowest 5
|
|
15 or 16
|
Lowest 6
|
|
17
|
Lowest 7
|
|
18
|
Lowest 8
|
|
19
|
Lowest 9
|
|
20
|
Lowest 10
|
Although the USGA handicap formula uses your last twenty scores, it can be calculated
with as few as five golf scores. The number of differentials averaged phases in
until a golfer obtains twenty golf scores. The table to the right shows the phase
in of how many golf score differentials to use in the handicap formula.
Once you have established a golf handicap index you can use your index to calculate
your golf course handicap (HcpC). Your golf course handicap is used to actually
determine how many strokes you get to take off your gross score to arrive at your
net score. To calculate your golf course handicap multiply your handicap index by
the slope rating, then divide the product by the standard slope rating (113).
Course Handicap Calculation
HcpC = (HcpI x SRtg) / StdSR
Great! Now you know how to calculate your golf handicap index and golf course handicap.
Now that you know what goes into the USGA handicap formula, you should be able to
determine before you play a round, what you will likely have to shot in order to
maintain your handicap.
Article by: Jay Seigneur - May 20, 2011
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