Enter rounds oldest first. If you paste more than 20, only the most recent 20 are used.
How the handicap calculator works
HandicapCalc follows the World Handicap System. Each round's score differential is 113 divided by the slope rating, times the adjusted gross score minus the course rating minus the playing conditions calculation (PCC), rounded to the nearest tenth. Only your most recent 20 rounds are kept; the lowest differentials among them are averaged according to the table below, the adjustment is added, and the result is rounded to the nearest tenth with a maximum of 54.0. For a course handicap, the index is multiplied by the slope rating over 113 and the course rating minus par is added, then rounded to a whole number; the playing handicap applies the allowance for your format.
Differentials used by number of rounds
| Rounds | Lowest differentials used | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lowest 1 | -2.0 |
| 4 | Lowest 1 | -1.0 |
| 5 | Lowest 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Average of lowest 2 | -1.0 |
| 7–8 | Average of lowest 2 | 0 |
| 9–11 | Average of lowest 3 | 0 |
| 12–14 | Average of lowest 4 | 0 |
| 15–16 | Average of lowest 5 | 0 |
| 17–18 | Average of lowest 6 | 0 |
| 19 | Average of lowest 7 | 0 |
| 20 | Average of lowest 8 | 0 |
Example
A 92 on tees with a course rating of 71.3 and a slope of 128 is (113 ÷ 128) × (92 − 71.3) = 18.3. With 8 rounds, the lowest 2 differentials are averaged. A 15.3 index on those tees with a par of 72 is a course handicap of 15.3 × 128 ÷ 113 − 0.7 = 16.6, rounded to 17.
This is an unofficial estimate. Your official Handicap Index comes from your club or national association, which also applies net double bogey limits, soft and hard caps and exceptional score reductions.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my handicap lower than my average score suggests?
Because only your best 8 of 20 differentials count, a Handicap Index reflects your potential, typically a few strokes better than your average round.
What is the maximum Handicap Index?
54.0 for both men and women.
What are the soft and hard caps?
They limit how fast an index can rise above your lowest index of the past 12 months. They need your official history, so this calculator does not apply them.
Is HandicapCalc free?
Yes, with no sign-up or ads.
Are my scores saved?
Yes, in this browser only. Nothing is uploaded.