How to Calculate the Handicap

By Keith Dooley
You can easily calculate your handicap with some simple math.
You can easily calculate your handicap with some simple math.

Calculating a golf handicap is essentially a means of determining how the score of a more experienced golfer compares to a new golfer.

This calculation is done so that a group of golfers with different abilities can compete equally when playing a round of golf. Not only does it help a new player's confidence, it also makes the round more interesting for everyone.

Step 1

Collect scorecards from five previous rounds of golf. Make sure they include slope and rating information.

Step 2

Work with one scorecard at a time. Subtract the course rating from the score.

Step 3

Step 4

Divide the result from the previous step by the slope number of the course. The result is known as the differential.

Step 5

Repeat the steps for the other four scores.

When finished, select the lowest differential and multiply it by .96. The resulting number is your handicap.

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