Course handicap calculator

The formula

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

It is rounded to the nearest whole number as the last step, with .5 rounding up.

For 9 holes, halve your Handicap Index first and round it to one decimal, then use the 9-hole Course Rating, Slope Rating and par.

Playing Handicap

Many formats don’t give the full Course Handicap. The Playing Handicap applies the format’s handicap allowance to the unrounded Course Handicap, then rounds:

Format	Recommended allowance
Individual stroke play	95%
Individual match play	100%
Four-ball stroke play	85%
Four-ball match play	90%
Best 2 of 4 stroke play	85%

These are the Rules of Handicapping’s recommendations. A competition’s committee can set others, so check the event’s terms.

A worked example

Tees rated 71.0 with a Slope of 125, par 71. A golfer with a Handicap Index of 8.6:

• Course Handicap: 8.6 × 125 ÷ 113 + (71.0 − 71) = 9.51, which rounds to 10.
• Four-ball stroke play at 85%: 9.51 × 85% = 8.09, which rounds to 8.

Rounding to 10 first and then taking 85% would give 8.5 and round to 9, which is why the allowance applies to the unrounded number.

Common questions

Why is my Course Handicap higher than my Handicap Index? Because the tees are harder than average for a golfer of your level: a Slope above 113, or a Course Rating above par, adds strokes.

What does a plus handicap do? A plus Handicap Index (typed +2.4) gives a negative Course Handicap: you give strokes back to the course, starting on the easiest holes.

Which one do I use in a match? Your Playing Handicap. In match play the lowest player plays off zero, and the others get the difference.