Frequently Asked Questions
The information below will help explain the terms used when calculating your golf handicap. Additionally, information about Handicap PLUS is outlined be below.
Handicap Information
- Are "handicap" and "index" the same thing?
- What is the Course Rating?
- What is the Slope Rating?
- What does a Course Handicap represent?
- Is there a maximum Handicap Index for men and women?
Handicap PLUS Information
- How much does Handicap PLUS cost to use?
- What statistics does Handicap PLUS track?
- Do I have to keep track of all of this information?
Still have questions? Contact Us.
Are "handicap" and "index" the same thing?
The two terms are often used interchangeably, but "handicap index" technically refers only to those established through the auspices of the USGA (or other governing body) Handicap System.
Anyone can claim a "handicap." "What's your handicap"? "Fourteen." Self-serve handicaps can be kept by golfers who can't, or just don't want to, join a golf club and get an official handicap index. Such handicaps cannot be used in official competitions, however, and are not sanctioned by the USGA.
The USGA Handicap System - and the use of the term "handicap" by the USGA - originated in the early 20th Century. The USGA began using "handicap index" in the early 1980s when it added slope rating to the equation.
A handicap index is not a representation of your average score and, if you're doing it right, it's not what you'll use to give yourself (or playing partners) strokes.
What is the Course Rating?
Course Rating defines the USGA® mark indicating the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions. It is expressed as strokes taken to one decimal place, and is based on yardage and other obstacles to the extent that they affect the scoring ability of a scratch golfer. Course Rating is equivalent to the better half average of a scratch golfer’s scores under normal playing conditions.
What is the Slope Rating?
Slope Rating defines the USGA mark indicating the measurement of the relative difficulty of a course for non-scratch golfers compared to the Course Rating.
Slope Rating is computed by the following formula:
Bogey rating minus Course Rating multiplied by (5.381 men, 4.24 women) equals Slope Rating.
What does a Course Handicap represent?
A Course Handicap represents the number of strokes needed to play to the level of a scratch golfer—or the Course Rating™ of a particular set of tees. A Course Handicap is expressed as a whole number (e.g. 12).
Course Handicap is determined by using charts located at the golf course where the round is to be played. In addition, a Course Handicap can be calculated by these methods:
Formula:
Handicap Index® multiplied by Slope Rating® of tees played, divided by Standard Slope Rating (113) = Answer (rounded to nearest whole number, .4 rounds down and .5 rounds up)
Example: 10.4 Handicap Index x 125 Slope Rating / 113 Standard Slope Rating = 11.5 = 12 Course Handicap
Is there a maximum Handicap Index for men and women?
Yes, the USGA sets the maximum Handicap Index is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women (18.2N and 20.2N for a nine-hole Handicap Index, respectively).
How much does Handicap PLUS cost to use?
Handicap PLUS is completely free.
What statistics does Handicap PLUS track?
If you fill in all of the fields on the "Add Score" page, Handicap PLUS will calculate the following statistics about your golf game:
- Index
- Scoring Average
- Average Putts Per Round
- Average Fairways in Regulation
- Average Greens in Regulation
- Driving Accuracy Percentage
- Greens Hit Percentage
- Sand Save Percentage
- Average Number of Pars Per Round
- Average Number of Birdies Per Round
- Average Number of Eagles Per Round
- Average Number of Albatross' Per Round
- Total Birdies
- Total Eagles
- Total Rounds Played
Do I have to keep track of all of this information?
No. The only information needed to calculate your handicap is the round date, your score, the course rating and slope. All other information is optional and not required.