Golf Handicap Calculator
Estimate your golf handicap index from your average score differential.
Handicap index12.0
A handicap index is the average of your best score differentials multiplied by 0.96 (the 96% "bonus for excellence"). A score differential for a round is (adjusted gross score − course rating) × 113 ÷ slope rating. If your average differential is 12.5, your index is 12.5 × 0.96 = 12.0. Official systems average only your best differentials (often the lowest 8 of your last 20) — enter that average here.
Questions
How is a golf handicap calculated?
Average your best score differentials and multiply by 0.96. A differential for a round is (adjusted gross score − course rating) × 113 ÷ slope rating; an average differential of 12.5 gives a handicap of 12.0.
Why multiply by 0.96?
The 0.96 factor is the "bonus for excellence" built into handicap systems. It slightly lowers the index so that better play is rewarded and handicaps trend toward a player's potential.