Golf Handicap Calculator

A Handicap Index represents a golfer's demonstrated ability from recent acceptable scores after course difficulty is normalized. Lower values indicate stronger play. The index is portable between courses, but it is not itself the number of strokes you receive on every set of tees.

The calculator converts each entered score into a Score Differential, sorts the differentials from lowest to highest, and averages the number required for a record of that size. Three scores use the lowest one with a minus 2.0 adjustment. Ten scores use the lowest three. Twenty scores use the lowest eight. The final Handicap Index is rounded to one decimal and capped at 54.0.

The calculator uses Score Differential = 113 / Slope Rating x (adjusted gross score - Course Rating - PCC). PCC is the Playing Conditions Calculation and defaults to zero. The formula normalizes scores from courses with different ratings onto one comparable scale.

It returns an estimated Handicap Index from the 3 to 20 score records you enter. It also shows the sorted Score Differentials and which values were used. It does not calculate a Course Handicap because that separate calculation needs your Handicap Index plus the Slope Rating, Course Rating, and par for the tees you plan to play.

This calculator accepts 3 to 20 score records. It applies the smaller-record adjustments built into its lookup table and uses up to the lowest eight differentials when you enter 20. It does not combine 9-hole scores or verify whether a round is acceptable for an official handicap record.