How to Create a Golf Handicap Without Belonging to a Golf Club

Anyone can do the math to calculate a golf handicap, but in the United States, the USGA and other amateur golf bodies require an official handicap to compete in sanctioned events. An official handicap means you belong to a group -- not necessarily tied to a golf club or course -- and a handicap panel on that group can review and adjust your handicap so it accurately reflects your playing ability. Golfers have online options to maintain informal handicaps, but check with tournament organizers to make sure a handicap set up this way meets the event's requirements.

Instructions

    • 1

      Sign up with an online service or learn how to calculate your own according to the USGA formula at USGA.org. Most online services charge an annual subscription fee, but several shareware sites offer Excel spreadsheets or small applications that you can download and easily run the calculations.

    • 2

      Record five rounds played under the Rules of Golf. That means don't take mulligans, gimme putts or improve how the ball lies before a shot. A minimum of five rounds provides a statistical minimum for a handicap calculation. For a full handicap, record your last 20 rounds played under the rules.

    • 3

      Post all of your scores. Your handicap under the USGA formula is calculated by taking the lowest 10 of your past 20 scores. The handicap predicts your potential, not what you will score on any given day, so post all rounds to make your handicap statistically accurate.

    • 4

      If math isn't your friend, take an easier route. Dean Knuth, the math whiz who designed the USGA's current handicap system, says you can get an indication by using the "simple estimator" system. Just use the second-best score of your last 12 months and subtract 70 for men; 73 for women.