Golf Handicap Golf is an exciting game that is for all sense and purpose, a game against the course. When it comes to comparing scores between individuals of varying players a handicap is often used in the game of golf. A handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer’s ability to play from a certain tee set on a given course. The derived handicap from this tee set is used to calculate a net score based on the number of strokes that it took the individual to complete the course. The handicap is used to allow individual players of varying ability compete against each other in a manner that is considered equal terms. When a handicap is determined, the higher the handicap, the worse the player is compared to someone with a lower handicap. Contrary to popular belief, a player’s handicap is aimed at revealing a player’s potential, not the individual’s average score. This means that the best golfer may not always win the competition, as it will be the player who shoots the best in regard to his own ability who wins.
Determining a handicap requires using a specific arithmetic formula that estimates how many strokes more than par a player should be able to play to complete the course. In order to calculate a net score for an individual golfer, the player’s handicap is subtracted from the gross score, which is the number of stroke actually taken. The net score is the score that is compared between golfers when determining a winner for the round, and just like in normal scoring the lowest score wins.
Many factors go into calculating a handicap for a given individual and course. What first must be calculated is the handicap differential. To calculate the handicap differential the course rating is subtracted from the individuals score from the round based on equitable stroke control. This number is then multiplied by 113, with everything then divided by the slope rating of the course. From this handicap differential, a handicap index is then calculated. The handicap index is calculated using the average of the best 10 handicap differentials of the individuals past twenty rounds of golf. This average is then multiplied by 0.96 to find the handicap index. Finally, the course handicap can be calculated utilizing the handicap index and slope rating. The course handicap is found by multiplying the handicap index by the slope rating of the course and dividing the resultant number by 113. To find the net score for the round, the handicap is subtracted from gross score of the round. An example is given below:

Gross score: 85
Course rating: 69.3
Course slope: 117
Handicap differential = (85 – 69.3) x 113/ (117) = 15.2
Handicap index = 10.5
Course handicap = (10.5 x 117) / 113 = 11
Net score = 85 – 11 = 74