Golf Handicap Calculator

How it is calculated

Enter the Score Differentials of your recent rounds, oldest first, separated by spaces or commas. Each one is (adjusted gross score − course rating) × 113 ÷ slope for a round (the Golf Handicap Differential Calculator works it out). If you paste more than 20, only the last 20 count. The tool sorts them and averages the lowest few, as in Rule 5.2 of the World Handicap System: with 20 differentials the lowest 8; with 19 the lowest 7; 17–18 → 6; 15–16 → 5; 12–14 → 4; 9–11 → 3; 7–8 → 2; 6 → 2 and minus 1.0; 5 → 1; 4 → 1 and minus 1.0; 3 → 1 and minus 2.0. The Handicap Index = average + adjustment, rounded to one decimal and capped at 54.0. It shows how many differentials were used, their average and the adjustment. At least 3 are needed (54 holes). The soft and hard caps, exceptional-score reductions and playing conditions adjustments that your federation applies are not included, so this is an estimate of the official index.

Common mistakes

• Entering gross scores instead of differentials. A score of 92 is not a differential; convert each round with its course rating and slope first.
• Pasting rounds newest first when you have more than 20. The tool keeps the last 20 in the list, so put the oldest first.
• Averaging all rounds. The index uses only the lowest few differentials, so it reflects your potential, not your average round.
• Applying the old 0.96 factor. The World Handicap System does not multiply the average by 0.96; that belonged to the former USGA formula.
• Treating the result as official. Your federation also applies caps and exceptional-score reductions, so its figure can differ slightly.