Figuring Out Your Golf Handicap

Golf Handicapping

A Golf Handicap is the means by which individuals of different golf skill levels can compete equitably. Handicaps equate not just the skill level but also the difficulty found in various courses. The process of handicapping is a relatively complicated one. We will look at it in as simple a fashion as possible.

The system that we will be looking at is the one derived by the USGA and in effect throughout the United States and Mexico, wherever adopted. Most, but not all courses use the USGA golf handicap system. The system has been adopted by other countries as well, notably Canada

Why Handicaps?

Since players have differing skill levels one component of the handicapping system needs to take that into consideration. Similarly, courses have differing characteristics and difficulties that need to be considered. By including both these requirements we can equalize the competition of players not only on a given course but among various courses as well!

Equalizing Players

Players are equalized on a given course by assigning them a Handicap Factor(Index) which they can use to establish a golf handicap for that course. By comparing their handicaps they then know if one player must give strokes to the other. Any strokes given must be applied in accordance with the hole handicaps (1 and up).

Equalizing Courses

Golf courses are rated for two separate but related factors:

• Course Rating, and
• Slope Rating.

Courses that have been rated show these ratings on their scorecards. The ratings are done for each set of tees (e.g., blue, white, red, etc.) and with regard to Men and Ladies.

Course Rating

Each individual course is rated with regard to the difficulty of play. This is done by evaluating the playing difficulty of a course under normal course and weather conditions for a "scratch" golfer, and is expressed as a number of strokes to one decimal place (e.g. 70.1). A "Scratch Golfer" is defined as:

• Male Scratch Golfer - has a Course Handicap of zero on any and all rated golf courses. He can hit tee shots an average of 250 yards, and can reach a 470-yard hole in 2 shots at sea level
• Female Scratch Golfer - She can hit tee shots an average of 210 yards, and can reach a 400-yard hole in 2 shots at sea level

Slope Rating

Each course is also rated with respect to a "bogey" golfer, and given a slope rating (a 3-digit number). The lowest assigned Slope Rating is 55, and the highest is 155. A golf course of standard playing difficulty has a slope rating of 113. A "Bogey Golfer" is defined as:

• Male Bogey Golfer - has a Course Golf Handicap of approximately 20 on a course of standard difficulty. He can hit tee shots an average of 200 yards, and can reach a 370-yard hole in 2 shots at sea level
• Female Bogey Golfer - has a Course Golf Handicap of approximately 24 on a course of standard difficulty. She can hit tee shots an average of 150 yards, and can reach a 280-yard hole in 2 shots at sea level

Once the Course Rating and Slope Rating have been calculated, for each set of tees on each course, the handicap system can then be used.

Using The Golf Handicap System

Posting Scores

When you complete your game you will post your Adjusted Gross Score. The score is adjusted by applying the Equitable Stroke Control rules

Assuming that you post your scores on a computer, the program will calculate your Handicap Differential for each score and record it. Should you need to calculate it manually, you would use the following formula:

Calculating Handicap Factor/Index

The Handicap Factor/Index is calculated by your club's computer program and indicates your potential ability on a course of standard playing difficulty. You only have one Golf Handicap Factor/Index at a time and it must be kept up to date by posting all your scores as soon as possible.

Your Handicap Factor/Index is based on your best handicap differentials in your scoring record. If your record contains 20 or more scores, then the best 10 differentials are used for the calculation. However, if you have fewer than 20, then the following table identifies the number of differentials to be used (Note that you must have 5 or more scores to have a Handicap Factor/Index).

Your computer program will automatically select the appropriate number of differentials to be used, and calculate the Handicap Factor/Index.

However, once the number of differentials to be used has been determined, you can calculate your Handicap Factor/Index with the following steps:

And that number will be your Golf Handicap Factor/Index.

NOTE: The figure "0.96" is used to provide a small "Bonus For Excellence". You thus get a very slightly lower handicap factor/index.

How To Use The Handicap Factor/Index

The Handicap Factor/Index is used to calculate a Course Handicap for a particular set of tees on a particular course. Normally, if the course is using the USGA handicap system, the club will have a conversion table (Course Handicap Table) that gives the Course Handicap for each tee, for each course. All you have to do is match your Handicap Factor/Index to the appropriate table entry and read off the Course Handicap for that particular game. If you prefer, you can actually manually calculate the Course Handicap with the following formula:

In either case the Course Handicap allows you to decide who will give strokes to whom, which brings us right back to where it all started - the gross score.

NOTE: Handicap strokes cannot be used to adjust the gross score that you input to the handicap system. They are only used to balance the competitive aspects of the game. Equitable Stroke Control is the way to adjust the gross score, prior to input.

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