Course Handicap Calculator
Calculate course handicap with our free tool. See your stats, compare against averages, and track progress over time.
Reviewed by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist
Formula
Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating - Par)
Where Handicap Index is your portable measure of playing ability, Slope Rating measures course difficulty for bogey golfers relative to scratch golfers (standard 113), Course Rating is the expected score for a scratch golfer, and Par is the designed number of strokes.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Standard Course Handicap Calculation
Problem:A golfer with a 15.4 handicap index plays a course with slope 128, course rating 71.2, and par 72.
Solution:Course Handicap = 15.4 x (128 / 113) + (71.2 - 72) = 16.64. Rounded = 17 strokes. Playing Handicap (95%) = 16
Result:Course Handicap: 17 | Playing Handicap: 16
Example 2: High Slope Championship Course
Problem:A golfer with a 20.0 handicap index plays a championship course with slope 148, course rating 75.3, and par 72.
Solution:Course Handicap = 20.0 x (148 / 113) + (75.3 - 72) = 29.49. Rounded = 29. Playing Handicap (95%) = 28
Result:Course Handicap: 29 | Playing Handicap: 28
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a course handicap and how is it calculated?
A course handicap is the number of strokes a golfer receives on a specific course, adjusted from their handicap index based on the difficulty of that course. Under the World Handicap System (WHS), the formula is Course Handicap equals Handicap Index multiplied by Slope Rating divided by 113, plus the difference between Course Rating and Par. The standard slope rating of 113 represents a course of average difficulty. A course with a slope above 113 is more challenging and gives you more strokes, while a course below 113 is easier and gives fewer strokes. This ensures fair competition regardless of which course you play on.
What is the difference between handicap index and course handicap?
Your handicap index is a portable number that represents your overall playing ability, calculated from your best score differentials across multiple rounds. It stays the same regardless of where you play. Your course handicap, on the other hand, changes for every course and set of tees you play from. A player with a 15.0 handicap index might receive 13 strokes on an easy course with a low slope rating, but 18 strokes on a difficult course with a high slope rating. The course handicap translates your ability into the specific number of strokes needed to play a particular course at net par.
What is slope rating and why does it matter for course handicap?
Slope rating measures the relative difficulty of a golf course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. It ranges from 55 to 155, with 113 being the standard neutral value. A high slope rating like 145 means the course is significantly harder for higher-handicap players relative to scratch golfers, so those players receive more strokes. A low slope like 90 means the course plays relatively easier for all skill levels. Slope matters because it directly scales your handicap index up or down, ensuring that the strokes you receive accurately reflect how much harder or easier a specific course will be for your skill level.
What is the difference between course rating and par?
Course rating is the expected score for a scratch golfer on a specific course, determined by official raters who evaluate factors like distance, obstacles, elevation changes, and green difficulty. Par is simply the designed number of strokes for each hole based on its length. A course might have a par of 72 but a course rating of 73.5, meaning even scratch golfers are expected to shoot 1.5 over par on average. The WHS formula adds the Course Rating minus Par adjustment to your course handicap, accounting for courses that play harder or easier than their par suggests. This adjustment can add or subtract strokes from your allowance.
References
Reviewed by Sher, Sports Science & Nutrition Specialist · Editorial policy