Golf Handicap Index & Course Handicap Calculator
Work out your Handicap Index from your recent scores using the World Handicap System method, then turn it into a Course Handicap and Playing Handicap for any set of tees.
Written by Suhaib Hassan. Figures are estimates you can edit. Our methodology.
It converts each round to a score differential, averages your best differentials as the World Handicap System specifies, and scales the result to a course.
To see what index a run of scores produces, and how many strokes you get on a given course, without waiting for the club to update.
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How many scores count
Under the World Handicap System the number of differentials used depends on how many scores you have, with a small adjustment for very short histories.
| Scores in record | Differentials used | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Lowest 1 | −2.0 |
| 4 | Lowest 1 | −1.0 |
| 5 | Lowest 1 | 0 |
| 6 | Lowest 2 | −1.0 |
| 7 to 8 | Lowest 2 | 0 |
| 9 to 11 | Lowest 3 | 0 |
| 12 to 14 | Lowest 4 | 0 |
| 15 to 16 | Lowest 5 | 0 |
| 17 to 18 | Lowest 6 | 0 |
| 19 | Lowest 7 | 0 |
| 20 | Lowest 8 | 0 |
Formulas
How the numbers are worked out.
Score differential
Each round is converted to a differential using the tee's difficulty. 113 is the slope of a course of standard difficulty.
diff = (113 ÷ slope) × (score − course rating − PCC)Handicap Index
The average of your best differentials (see the table), plus any adjustment, rounded to one decimal.
index = mean(best differentials) + adjustmentCourse and Playing Handicap
The index scaled to a course, then multiplied by the allowance for the format.
course = index × (slope ÷ 113) + (rating − par)
playing = course × allowanceWorked examples
Illustrative figures, each checked by hand. The first is the default setup.
Eight rounds (default)
Lowest 2 of 8 are used, no adjustment.
lowest two: 5.0 and 5.7, mean 5.35 rounds to 5.4 Handicap Index
Course Handicap
Index 5.4 on a course rated 72.1, slope 132, par 72.
Course Handicap = 6
× 95% = 6.09, Playing Handicap 6
One round
82 on a 71.4 rating, slope 128, PCC 0.
Differential = 9.4
How to calculate a golf handicap
- Enter each round's adjusted gross score, the tee's course rating and slope, and PCC (usually 0).
- Add rounds until you have up to 20. At least 3 are needed.
- Read the Handicap Index, the average of your best differentials.
- Enter the course rating, slope and par to get the Course and Playing Handicap.
This calculator follows the published World Handicap System method but does not apply the soft cap, hard cap or exceptional score reduction. Your official index comes from your national golf association or club.
By Suhaib Hassan · Reviewed 29 September 2026 · How CalculatePilot verifies formulas →
Sources
- World Handicap System, Rules of Handicapping, Rules 5 and 6 (USGA and R&A).
- USGA, Course Handicap and Playing Handicap calculations.
- USGA, Handicap allowances for formats of play.
Frequently asked questions
How is a Handicap Index calculated?
Each score becomes a differential: 113 divided by the slope, times the score minus the course rating (and PCC). Your index is the average of your best differentials, for example the lowest 8 of your last 20.
What is the difference between Handicap Index and Course Handicap?
The index is portable and measures ability on a course of standard difficulty. The Course Handicap converts it to the number of strokes you receive on a specific set of tees.
What is PCC?
Playing Conditions Calculation. It adjusts differentials for a day when conditions made the course play easier or harder than normal. It is usually 0 and is set by the club, from about −1 to +3.
What is adjusted gross score?
Your gross score with each hole capped at net double bogey, meaning par plus 2 plus any handicap strokes you receive on that hole.
How many scores do I need?
At least 3. With fewer than 20 the system uses fewer differentials, and applies a small reduction for 3, 4 and 6 scores.
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