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Golf handicap calculator

Work out your course handicap for any set of tees, and estimate your Handicap Index from your recent rounds, using the World Handicap System.

Course handicap

Handicap Index from your rounds

Add up to 20 recent 18-hole rounds, newest first. Use your adjusted gross score: cap each hole at net double bogey (par, plus two, plus any strokes you get on that hole).

How the World Handicap System works it out

Course handicap is how many strokes you get on a particular course from particular tees: your Handicap Index × slope rating ÷ 113, plus the course rating minus par, rounded to a whole number. A golfer with an index of 18.4 playing tees rated 71.2 with a slope of 128, par 72, gets 20 strokes.

Playing handicap is your course handicap after the allowance for the format. For individual stroke play the usual allowance is 95%.

Score differential is how well you played against the course's difficulty: 113 ÷ slope × (adjusted gross score − course rating − the playing conditions adjustment).

Handicap Index is the average of your best 8 differentials from your last 20 rounds. With fewer than 20 rounds it uses fewer of them, and with only 3 to 6 it takes a little off.

This calculator gives an estimate. Your official Handicap Index comes from your club and your national golf union, which also apply the playing conditions adjustment and caps on how fast it can rise.

Golf Scout keeps your rounds and works out a handicap estimate as you play. Get it on the App Store.