Calculate your golf course handicap and handicap index using World Handicap System (WHS) standards. Enter your scores, course ratings, and slope ratings for accurate handicap calculations.
A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential playing ability, designed to enable players of different skill levels to compete on equal grounds. The lower the handicap, the better the golfer's playing ability.
The World Handicap System (WHS) provides a unified system for calculating handicaps globally, taking into account course difficulty, playing conditions, and recent performance trends.
Determines the number of strokes you receive on a specific course
Used to calculate handicap index from individual round scores
Your overall playing ability across different courses
Minimum Requirements: At least 54 holes of score data (typically 3 rounds of 18 holes) are needed to establish a handicap index.
Score Selection: The number of differentials used depends on total rounds played: - 5-6 rounds: Lowest 1 differential - 7-8 rounds: Lowest 2 differentials - 9-11 rounds: Lowest 3 differentials - 12-14 rounds: Lowest 4 differentials - 15-16 rounds: Lowest 5 differentials - 17-19 rounds: Lowest 6 differentials - 20 rounds: Lowest 8 differentials
Calculation: Average the selected differentials and multiply by 0.96 to get the handicap index.
| Aspect | Course Handicap | Handicap Index |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Strokes for specific course | Overall playing ability |
| Calculation | Index × slope factor + rating adjustment | Average of best differentials × 0.96 |
| Usage | Competition and casual play | Basis for course handicap |
| Variation | Changes by course | Consistent across courses |
| Range | Varies widely | 0.0 to 54.0 |
| Updates | Each round | After each posted score |
Scratch Golfer: Handicap index of 0.0, expected to shoot par on a standard difficulty course.
Bogey Golfer: Male golfer with handicap index around 20.0, female around 24.0. Expected to shoot one over par on each hole.
Plus Handicap: Better than scratch, indicated with a "+" sign. These golfers typically give strokes rather than receive them.
Maximum Handicap: WHS sets maximum handicap index at 54.0 for both men and women, ensuring all golfers can participate meaningfully.
The PCC accounts for daily conditions that significantly affect scoring:
Negative PCC (-1): Exceptional conditions that make scoring easier (calm weather, soft greens, favorable pin positions).
Zero PCC (0): Normal playing conditions with no significant impact on scoring.
Positive PCC (+1 to +3): Difficult conditions like strong wind, rain, firm greens, or challenging pin positions that make scoring harder.
Post All Rounds: Submit scores for every round played, regardless of how well or poorly you performed.
Play by the Rules: Follow USGA rules and proper course setup to ensure scores accurately reflect your ability.
Regular Updates: Your handicap index updates after each posted score, reflecting your current playing ability.
Course Knowledge: Understand that course handicap can vary significantly between courses based on their difficulty ratings.