⛳ Golf Handicap Calculator
A handicap index levels the field so golfers of different skill can compete fairly. Enter your recent scores as a comma-separated list with the course rating and slope, and the calculator applies the simplified World Handicap System method.
Each round becomes a score differential, the best 8 of your latest 20 are averaged and multiplied by 0.96. Lower is better — scratch golfers sit near zero.
How to use this calculator
Enter your recent scores as a comma-separated list, plus the course rating and slope. The calculator computes score differentials, averages the best 8 and applies the 0.96 factor.
- Type your Scores separated by commas, most recent last.
- Type the Course rating of the tees played.
- Type the Slope rating (113 is average).
- Read your estimated handicap index.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Golf Handicap Calculator compute?
It estimates a WHS-style handicap index. Each score becomes a differential, the best 8 of your latest 20 differentials are averaged, and the average is multiplied by 0.96.
What is a score differential?
It normalizes a score for course difficulty: (score minus course rating) times 113, divided by slope rating. The same 85 plays very differently on an easy versus a hard course.
Can you give a worked example?
Scores of 85, 88, 90, 82, 87, 84, 86 and 89 on a course rated 72 with slope 130 give differentials from 8.7 to 15.6, averaging to a handicap index of 12.0.
How many scores do I need?
The tool uses up to your 20 most recent scores and averages the best 8 of them. With fewer than 8 scores it averages the best of what you entered, so early estimates swing more as you add rounds.