how to use course handicap

by Deshawn Senger Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 6 min read

How to Apply Your Golf Handicap to Your Score

Obtain your updated handicap index from your golf club or association. ...
Find the slope rating for the set of tees that you are going to play. ...
Divide the slope rating for the set of tees that you are playing by 113 and multiply the result by your handicap index to get your course handicap, ...

Now that you have your handicap, you can use it to calculate your net score next time you go golfing. To do this, you need to find your course handicap, which is your handicap multiplied by the course's slope rating then divided by 113. Then, your net score is simply your score minus your course handicap.

Full Answer

How do I find my course handicap?

A. A Course Handicap is calculated using the following formula, but a mobile app or Course Handicap table at the course will do the math for you: Course Handicap = Handicap Index® x (Slope Rating™ / 113) + (Course Rating™ – par) This number is rounded to the nearest whole number when applying net double bogey or net par adjustments. Otherwise, the unrounded …

How do you calculate golf course handicap?

Here's a simple trick to help remember how these values differ: Course Handicap = You against the course. Playing Handicap = You against the other players. Did you know... You can …

How do you calculate handicap?

First, find the member with the lowest course handicap and subtract that number from all four players' course handicaps. The lowest member should now have a handicap of zero. In our …

How does handicap holes determined on a golf course?

Feb 13, 2021 · Your course handicap is calculated using the formula of WHS index x Slope rating/113 = Course Handicap. The average of easy and hard is deemed to be 113, so if the …

Do you use course handicap and handicap?

A Playing Handicap is calculated by applying the appropriate handicap allowance to a player's Course Handicap. For formats of play where a handicap allowance of 100% is adopted, the Playing Handicap will be the same as the Course Handicap.

What does a Course handicap mean?

A Course Handicap represents the number of strokes needed to play to par of the tees being played. This is the number used to adjust hole scores for net double bogey or net par.

How do you calculate playing handicap from course handicap?

Playing Handicap = Course Handicap x handicap allowance.

Do you use course handicap or handicap index?

Golfers often hear the terms "handicap" and "handicap index." The two terms are often used interchangeably (even here), but "handicap index" technically refers only to those handicaps established through the auspices of the USGA (or other governing body) Handicap System.Mar 24, 2019

How do I calculate my 2020 course handicap?

Course Handicap Calculation

Pre-2020 the calculation to find the Course Handicap was: Handicap Index X Slope Rating/ 113. The new calculation for Course Handicap will be Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating- Par). The reason for this change is to accommodate players who play off different tees.Dec 3, 2019

How does a golf course handicap rating work?

Through the WHS, each golfer establishes a “Handicap Index” which is the measure of a player's demonstrated ability on a course of standard playing difficulty. The Handicap Index is calculated using the lowest 8 of the player's most recent 20 Score Differentials and updated with each new round played.

Why is a course 95% handicap?

“95 per cent, or the allowance that you get for competition play, is about equity. It's about ensuring that, when all players are playing together in a field, every player has got the equal chance of success and gaining success in that competition.May 27, 2021

How do I calculate my handicap for golf?

To quickly figure out what your handicap should be, you need to subtract your number of strokes with the overall Course Rating. For example, on an average par-72 course, if you were finished with 100 strokes, you would subtract 72 from 100 and receive a handicap of 28.Apr 25, 2022

How do I calculate my golf handicap for free?

Course Handicap = (Handicap Index) X (Slope Rating**) ÷ 113

You can also use the USGA's Course Handicap Calculator for performing the above calculation. With the help of our free golf handicap calculator above and a simple formula, you now have your Index® and Course Handicap.

What does ph mean in golf?

Handicap Index

Handicap Index. A Handicap Index compares a player's scoring ability to the scoring ability of a scratch golfer on a course of standard difficulty. A player posts scores along with the appropriate USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating to make up the scoring record.Sep 25, 2012

How do you convert an index to a handicap?

USGA Handicap System (pre-2020)U: A Course Handicap represents the number of strokes a player receives in relation to the UCourse RatingU of the tees being played. The formula is: Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating / 113.

How do I use my handicap index?

For a single round of golf, you calculate your “handicap differential” by taking your equitable stroke control, subtracting the course rating, then multiplying that result by 113, and finally, dividing it all by the course's slope rating.

Step 2

Compare your course handicap with that of your opponent in match play. The player with the lowest handicap plays scratch (no handicap). The other player receives handicap strokes equal to the difference between the two handicaps. For example, if your opponent’s handicap is 4 and yours is 10, you’ll receive six handicap strokes.

Step 3

Subtract your handicap from your total score at the end of the round to get your net score in stroke play. For example, if you shot a 92 and your handicap is 10, your net score is 82.

What is a Golf Handicap?

Ok, let’s get straight down to business. As an amateur player, a golf handicap allows you to play golf against any other player, any skill level, on any course, and have a reasonable chance of competing against each other.

Why Does the Handicap System Exist?

Ok, while a handicap is an indicator of how ‘good’ a golfer is, it wasn’t designed to be used purely as a tool to measure excellence.

How to Get a Golf Handicap

If you are brand new to the game, don’t worry about getting a golf handicap just yet. Just work on your technique and enjoy your game. There’s nothing that kills enthusiasm more than putting pressure on yourself.

How to Calculate Golf Handicap (as of 2020 onwards)

As of 2020, the rules and formula regarding how handicaps were calculated changed slightly along with the introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS). The good news is that this system has already been adopted by the USGA!

Golf Handicap FAQ

A ‘playing handicap’ is a variable total number of strokes you are allowed on a specific course on a specific day, say for a competition or in match play. The playing handicap is based on a percentage of your course handicap. It is devised by multiplying your course handicap by an ‘allowance’.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to golf handicaps, there is quite a lot to think about. The rules have changed recently to make them much more standard across the world.

Does the USGA have a handicap calculator?

The USGA has a handy golf course handicap calculator so you don't have to do the calculation . But you will have to know your Index in order to use it. Alternatively, you can use the following formula to calculate your course handicap:

What is a handicap on a golf course?

The course handicap is really a handicap for a specific set of tees on a specific course or what someone might call a "playing handicap.". The USGA defines a course handicap in its Handicap Manual as... A " Course Handicap" is the USGA's mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set ...

What is a plus handicap?

A " Course Handicap" is the USGA's mark that indicates the number of handicap strokes a player receives from a specific set of tees at the course being played to adjust the player's scoring ability to the level of scratch or zero-handicap golf. For a player with a plus Course Handicap, it is the number of handicap strokes a player gives ...

What is the USGA index?

The USGA provides a formula with which you first can calculate a number that is the same no matter what course you play. This number is called the "Index.". Using this Index, you can calculate a second number - your golf "course handicap" - for any specific course.

What is handicap in golf?

The "Handicap" line of the scorecard rates the holes for use by golfers who carry a handicap index. The handicap index is used to produce a course handicap, and the course handicap tells golfers how many strokes they get to take off their gross scores to produce a net score .

Who is Brent Kelley?

Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Most golf scorecards contain several rows of information. For example, a scorecard will always have the "Hole" row, the numbers 1 through 18 corresponding to the holes being played.