How Do You Calculate Golf Handicap Index?
Handicaps allow golfers of varying abilities to compete on a comparatively equal playing field. The United States Golf Association has had a handicap system in effect since 1912, but did not establish the handicap index until 1987. Prior to that year, the handicap was based solely on your ability relative to your home course. The index is like a portable handicap. When you play a new course, look up your handicap index up on a chart—based on the difficulty of that course and the tees you will be playing—to find your handicap. Collect the scorecards from each round of golf you have played, up to the most recent 20 scores. For an accurate handicap index, you will need that number of scores, but you can figure an index with as few as five scores. Each scorecard should list the course rating and slope rating for the set of tees you played. Compute the handicap differential for each round of golf you have played. Subtract the course rating from your score, and then multiply by 113. Divi
