How to Calculate a USGA Handicap

By Mike Camunas

The handicap system in golf is used with specific arithmetic formulas to approximate how many strokes more than par a player should be able to play during a round. It's the same system the United States Golf Association uses for golfers to figure out their handicaps. It's a fairly simple process, but it might take some time and patience with the mathematics. Still, it's a process a golfer should learn to improve her game.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Calculate the handicap differential for each round by using the USGA Course Ration and Slope Rating for the courses played. That formula is HCP Dif = (Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating. For example, the score is 75, the course rating is 71.2 and the slope is 130, so the formula will look like (75 - 71.2) x 113/130. Repeat this step differential for each round.

Step 2

Figure out how many differentials one must use. Use only the lowest differentials according to how many rounds you've entered. For five to six rounds, use the lowest differential; for seven to eight, use the two lowest; nine to 10, the three lowest; and 11 to 12, the four lowest differentials. For 13 to 14 rounds use five differentials; 15 to 16, use 6. For 17 to 20, increase one differential per round used.

Step 3

Find the average of the differentials used to get the handicap index. For example, if you use the five lowest, add those together and divide it by five. Then multiple the answer by 0.96, and the digits after the tenths are dropped in the result. The formula reads like this: HCP index = (sum of differentials/number of differentials) x 0.96.

Step 4

Use the handicap index to find the course handicap. You do this because course difficulty varies, and your handicap on one course may not be the same as your handicap on another.

Step 5

To find the course handicap, use your handicap index and the Slope Rating of the Tees Played divided by the average slope rating of 113. That formula is Course Handicap=(Your HCP Index) x (Slope Rating of Tees Played)/113. For example, your handicap index is 16.7 and tee box slope is 127. So 16.7 x 127/113 = 19, meaning the course played was harder than the average course and made the course handicap higher than the handicap index.

Tips & Warnings

Limit the number of rounds you enter so you're not using a lot of differentials. The best advice is to stay in the single digits of rounds entered and probably not go over six. When you finally have your handicap index, it's important to remember it doesn't reflect your average score, but your best potential for a round.

Limit the number of rounds you enter so you're not using a lot of differentials. The best advice is to stay in the single digits of rounds entered and probably not go over six.

When you finally have your handicap index, it's important to remember it doesn't reflect your average score, but your best potential for a round.

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA to eliminate "disaster holes" on the scorecard. ESC is also put into place to eliminate sandbaggers who intentionally play a hole poorly to raise their handicaps and does so by putting a limit on the number of strokes per hole, which is based on the course handicap. Taking a high score on a hole would mean the handicap index would not reflect accurately.

About The Author

Mike Camunas is a free lance reporter, covering local golf in the Tampa Bay area, from events to golfers hitting hole in ones, to even covering the professional events that hit town. He has been playing golf for about 11 years and has never seen his handicap lower. Perhaps one day. He attended the University of South Florida.

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