Golf Handicap Calculator

Calculate your USGA Golf Handicap Index, determine your Course Handicap for any course, and track your improvement with detailed score analysis and personalized recommendations.

Golf Handicap Calculator

Calculate your USGA Golf Handicap Index, Course Handicap, and track your progress

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Date

Score

Course Rating

Slope Rating

Course Name

Tees

Recent Scores (0)

No scores added yet. Add at least 5 scores to calculate your handicap.

How Golf Handicap Works

Handicap Index

Your Handicap Index is a portable number that represents your demonstrated ability. It's calculated from the best 8 of your most recent 20 score differentials.

Course Handicap

Your Course Handicap is the number of strokes you receive on a particular course. It's calculated using your Handicap Index and the course's Slope Rating.

Understanding Score Differential

Score Differential is calculated using the formula:

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

This standardizes scores across different courses, making them comparable regardless of difficulty. A lower differential indicates better performance relative to course difficulty.

Handicap Categories

Low Handicap (0-5.4)

Scratch to low single-digit players with consistent scoring ability.

Mid Handicap (5.5-10.4)

Good golfers who shoot in the 70s to low 80s regularly.

Mid-High (10.5-18.4)

Average golfers who typically score in the 80s to low 90s.

High Handicap (18.5-26.4)

Developing players who score in the 90s to low 100s.

Beginner (26.5+)

New golfers still learning the fundamentals of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many scores do I need to establish a handicap?

You need a minimum of 5 scores to establish a handicap index, but 20 scores provide the most accurate representation of your ability.

How often should I update my scores?

Update your scores after every round. Your handicap index is recalculated with each new score entry, providing a current measure of your playing ability.