How to Measure Handicap

Golf is a simple game to master, but it takes a lot of patience, practice and skill to become good at it. The handicap in golf is a way to rank different players against one another, even though they may play on different courses with varying degrees of difficulty. The handicap takes into account the 10 best rounds of your last 20 outings. You can use fewer if you have not played that many rounds yet.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Play a minimum of five rounds, and keep a record of your scores before calculating your handicap. Any fewer will make the results inaccurate. Obtain the course rating and slope rating from either your scorecard or by calling the clubhouse.

    • 2

      Calculate the score differential for each round played. The formula for this calculation is (score - course rating) * (113/slope rating). Your handicap is calculated from your best rounds. If you only have five or six rounds in the calculation, select the lowest one. If you have played 20 rounds, select your lowest 10. Add the differentials together and divide by the number of rounds used.

    • 3

      Multiply this answer by .96 to get your handicap. Remember to use two decimal places and do not round the number off.