Golf Handicap Calculator

Calculate your USGA golf handicap index from your scores. Enter round data to get your handicap index and course handicap for any course.

Your Handicap

Handicap Index

14.2

Using 1 of 5 rounds

Course Handicap15
Low Differential15.8

Enter Your Rounds

Round 1
Diff: 18.5
Round 2
Diff: 15.8
Round 3
Diff: 20.0
Round 4
Diff: 16.5
Round 5
Diff: 17.6

Highlighted rounds are used in your handicap calculation. Enter at least 3 rounds for a handicap.

Your Handicap Index

14.2

Based on 1 best of 5 rounds (×0.96)

Low Differential

15.8

High Differential

20.0

Average (Used)

14.8

Rounds Used

1 / 5

Calculate Course Handicap

Enter the course details to calculate your playing handicap for that specific course.

Your Course Handicap

15

Target Score: 87

Score Differentials

RoundScoreCourse RatingSlopeDifferentialUsed
19271.512518.5
28971.512515.8✓
39572.013020.0
48870.512016.5
59171.512517.6

Handicap Skill Levels

+5 to 0

Scratch/Pro

1 - 9

Excellent

10 - 14

Good

15 - 24

Average

25+

Beginner

How Handicap Is Calculated

Step 1: Calculate Score Differential

For each round:

Differential = (113 ÷ Slope Rating) × (Score - Course Rating)

Step 2: Select Best Differentials

  • • 3 rounds: Lowest 1 differential, minus 2
  • • 4-5 rounds: Lowest 1, minus 1
  • • 6 rounds: Lowest 2
  • • 7-8 rounds: Lowest 2
  • • 9-11 rounds: Lowest 3
  • • 20 rounds: Lowest 8

Step 3: Calculate Handicap Index

Handicap Index = Average of Best Differentials × 0.96

Quick Answer

Handicap Index = Average of lowest differentials x 0.96. Score Differential = (113/Slope) x (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating - PCC). Use best 8 of last 20 rounds. Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope/113) + (Course Rating - Par). Example: 15.0 index on 130 slope = 17 course handicap.

Key Facts

  • Score Differential = (113/Slope) x (Score - Course Rating)
  • Handicap Index = average of best 8 of 20 differentials x 0.96
  • Course Handicap = Index x (Slope/113) + (CR - Par)
  • Maximum hole score: Net Double Bogey (par + 2 + strokes received)
  • Minimum 3 scores needed to establish handicap
  • Slope Rating: 55-155, standard course = 113
  • Course Rating: expected score for scratch golfer
  • Handicap Index range: +8.0 (excellent) to 54.0 (beginner)

Frequently Asked Questions

A Handicap Index is a measure of a golfer's potential playing ability based on their best scores. It's calculated from your lowest score differentials and allows golfers of different abilities to compete fairly. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer.
You need a minimum of 3 rounds (54 holes) to establish a handicap. However, more rounds provide a more accurate handicap. The USGA World Handicap System uses up to 8 of your 20 most recent differentials for the most accurate calculation.
Course Rating is the expected score for a scratch golfer (0 handicap) on a course, usually close to par. Slope Rating (55-155, standard 113) measures difficulty for bogey golfers relative to scratch golfers. Higher slope = harder for average players.
Score Differential = (113 / Slope Rating) × (Adjusted Score - Course Rating). This adjusts your score for course difficulty, allowing fair comparison across different courses. Lower differentials indicate better performance.
Average handicaps: Beginner (25-36), Average (15-24), Good amateur (10-14), Excellent (5-9), Scratch (0 or better). Most recreational golfers are in the 15-25 range. Tour pros would have plus handicaps (negative numbers).