How Are Golf Handicaps Calculated?

To establish a handicap, record all of your scores at your home club either in a computer system or on a posting sheet.

Your handicap is based on your potential ability, using your best scores. For an accurate handicap, you should post at least 20 scores.

Every two weeks, the golf association in your area updates the handicaps and issues a new handicap index for each golfer. Use the index to determine your handicap.

Golf courses have a set of tables based on the slope from each set of tees. Find the correct table and look for your index. Your handicap for that tee will be printed next to it.

For each of your scores, determine the handicap differential. The differential equals the adjusted gross score minus the course rating times 113 divided by the slope rating. Average the 10 lowest of the last 20 differentials and multiply by .96. The result is the handicap index.