Golf handicap calculator
Estimate your WHS Handicap Index from completed 18-hole rounds or published score differentials. Then translate it to the tees you plan to play. This is a worksheet estimate; your golf association maintains your official record.
| Recent scores | Lowest differentials used | Index adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | -2 |
| 4 | 1 | -1 |
| 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | 2 | -1 |
| 7–8 | 2 | 0 |
| 9–11 | 3 | 0 |
| 12–14 | 4 | 0 |
| 15–16 | 5 | 0 |
| 17–18 | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | 7 | 0 |
| 20 | 8 | 0 |
What it computes
This worksheet estimates a WHS Handicap Index from your most recent completed 18-hole rounds. It also converts that estimate into an 18-hole Course Handicap for your target tees.
Your Index describes scoring ability across courses. Course Handicap adjusts that number for a particular set of tees. Neither number chooses equipment: our golf balls as a gift guide starts with the model someone already plays. For other presents, the golf gifts guide explains which details to confirm first.
Use your authorized association's official record for competition entry. This worksheet cannot reconstruct every adjustment in that record.
How it works
The rules below were checked against USGA sources on September 14, 2026.
Under Rule 5.1a, subtract Course Rating and PCC from adjusted gross score. Multiply the result by 113 divided by Slope Rating. Round each differential to one decimal, with halfway values rounded upward, including negative values.
The USGA's rating explainer gives a Slope Rating range of 55–155 and a standard of 113. PCC, the playing-conditions calculation, ranges from −1 to +3. An omitted PCC means zero here; use the published adjustment when available.
Rule 5.2a selects the lowest differentials according to score count:
- Three scores: lowest one, minus 2. Four: lowest one, minus 1. Five: lowest one.
- Six: average the lowest two, minus 1. Seven or eight: average the lowest two.
- Nine through eleven: lowest three. Twelve through fourteen: lowest four.
- Fifteen or sixteen: lowest five. Seventeen or eighteen: lowest six. Nineteen: lowest seven.
With twenty scores, Rule 5.2b averages the lowest eight. Round the resulting Index to one decimal. The maximum is 54.0; there is no legacy 0.96 multiplier.
With twenty scores and an official Low Handicap Index, Rule 5.8 limits increases. Above Low Index +3, halve the excess; the hard ceiling is Low Index +5. Leave Low Index blank to omit these caps.
Under Rule 6.1a, Course Handicap equals Index times target slope divided by 113, plus Course Rating minus par. Round to a whole number, with halfway values upward. A plus handicap uses a negative value in this arithmetic.
Examples
These are hypothetical score records.
First three rounds. Scores 90, 92 and 94, each with rating 72, slope 113 and PCC 0, produce differentials 18, 20 and 22. Lowest 18 minus 2 gives Index 16.0. Target rating 72, slope 113 and par 72 give Course Handicap 16.
Six published differentials. Enter 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. The lowest two average 11; subtracting 1 gives Index 10.0. Target rating 72, slope 130 and par 72 give Course Handicap 12.
Plus handicap. Differentials −2, −1 and 0 give −4.0 after subtracting 2 from the lowest. This displays as +4.0. Target rating 72, slope 113 and par 72 give Course Handicap +4.
Limits
Only completed 18-hole rounds or published 18-hole differentials are supported. Raw rounds exclude exceptional-score and committee adjustments; published differentials must already include them. Nine-hole and unfinished rounds need your association's expected-score calculation. This worksheet does not produce a Playing Handicap or certify competition eligibility.
Worked examples
- First three rounds — Scores 90, 92 and 94, each with rating 72, slope 113 and PCC 0, give differentials 18, 20 and 22. Lowest 18 minus 2 gives Index 16.0. Target rating 72, slope 113, par 72 gives Course Handicap 16.
- Six published differentials — Differentials 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20: average the lowest two and subtract 1 for Index 10.0. Target rating 72, slope 130, par 72 gives Course Handicap 12.
- Plus handicap — Differentials -2, -1 and 0: lowest -2 minus 2 gives -4.0, displayed as +4.0. Target rating 72, slope 113, par 72 gives Course Handicap +4.
Common questions
Is this an official Handicap Index?
No. It estimates WHS arithmetic from the scores you supply. Your authorized golf association accounts for your full record, exceptional scores, committee adjustments and official eligibility.
Why is there no 0.96 multiplier?
Current WHS rules use a score-count table, including the lowest eight of the most recent twenty differentials. The 0.96 factor belongs to the earlier USGA system.
Can I enter nine-hole or unfinished rounds?
No. This worksheet accepts completed 18-hole rounds or published 18-hole differentials. Use your association’s scoring system for expected-score calculations on other rounds.
Embed this calculator on your site
Constants and sources checked on September 14, 2026.