Golf course handicap calculator

How the calculator works

USGA Rule 6.1a of the Rules of Handicapping sets the formula for an 18-hole Course Handicap:

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − par)

• 113 is the Slope Rating of a course of standard difficulty.
• The result is rounded to the nearest whole number, with .5 rounded up. For plus handicaps, rounding up moves the number toward zero, so −2.5 becomes −2, shown as +2.
• Playing Handicap = unrounded Course Handicap x handicap allowance, then rounded the same way. Appendix C applies the allowance to the unrounded Course Handicap and recommends 95% for individual stroke play and 85% for four-ball stroke play. Individual match play uses 100%. Four-ball match play uses 90% of the difference from the lowest handicap, which this calculator does not cover.

Worked example

A 14.2 Handicap Index on tees with a Slope Rating of 128, a Course Rating of 71.4 and par 72: 14.2 x (128 ÷ 113) + (71.4 − 72) = 16.08 − 0.6 = 15.48, so the Course Handicap is 15. In individual stroke play at 95%, the unrounded 15.48 x 0.95 = 14.71, so the Playing Handicap is 15.

Plus handicaps work the same way with a negative index. Our guide to what a plus handicap means in golf walks through examples on three sets of tees.

Where to find the numbers

The Slope Rating and Course Rating for each set of tees are on the scorecard, on a sign near the first tee, or in the course's listing in the USGA Course Rating database. Make sure you use the ratings for your gender and tees.

Limits

This covers 18-hole rounds. Nine-hole Course Handicaps use half the Handicap Index and the nine-hole ratings. Committees can set different allowances for their competitions, so check the event terms.