What is a Golf Handicap?
Basically, a golf handicap is a number generated by a complicated formula that tells you how far you are from being a scratch golfer, in other words, how far you are from always shooting par. So, if you have a golf handicap of 14, that means you are usually about 14 strokes over par.
The golf handicap system is great because it enables golfers of different ability levels to play on an even playing field. For example, imagine you and an old high school pal want to play a round against one another, and he has never shot below 100 while you are consistently in the 80s. There wouldn't be much point in playing because there would be no way for your friend to win or even have a chance at winning, which would make a boring round for you and a frustrating round for your friend. Thankfully, the handicap system can help. Now, let's say your friend has a handicap of 30 and you have a handicap of 10. That means you can subtract 10 strokes from your score and he can subtract 30 at the end of the round. Therefore, if he shoots 100 and you shoot 80, you both tie at 70. The golf handicap enables the golfer who plays their personal best to win, making the match much more competitive.
How to get a Golf Handicap
In the United States, the golf handicap system is managed by the Unites States Golf Association, also known as the USGA ("Handicaps"). The USGA doesn't calculate a golf handicap for a golfer. That is done by golf clubs and courses that are licensed by the USGA and follow the guidelines set out in the USGA Handicap System Manual.
To get a golf handicap, all you have to do is play a round of golf and submit your scorecard to the course where you regularly play (McCord). Most courses and clubs have computers that do all the calculations for you. You just submit your score, and once you have submitted at least five scores, the computer will return your golf handicap ("Handicap System Manual"). It's really that easy. Each time you play just submit your new score, and your golf handicap will be updated.
How to Calculate a Golf Handicap
Although you will never really need to know how to calculate a golf handicap, you can sure impress your buddies by being able to explain it to them. However, be prepared to do some math and sort through some new terms.
The concept behind the USGA Handicap Formula is simple: the worse you are, the higher your handicap, and the more strokes you are allowed. However, the actual calculations are a bit tricky. So, you should be familiar with a few terms before jumping into the math. Your golf Handicap Index is just a fancy term for your actual handicap. It is calculated by taking the average of your most recent and lowest Handicap Differentials and then multiplying it by 0.96 ("Handicap System Manual"). Don't panic; Differentials will be explained in the next paragraph, but back to the Handicap Index for now. The number of Differentials you use in calculating the Handicap Index is determined by looking at a USGA Differentials Table. Basically, the more rounds you have played the more differentials you use. For example, if you have played only 10 rounds, you use your lowest three Differentials, but if you have played 20 or more rounds, you use the lowest 10 of your most recent 20 Differentials ("Handicap System Manual").
Now you are probably still wondering about that Handicap Differential thing. Your Handicap Differentials are numbers produced from each or your scores by applying a formula to each score. The result is a number that is close to how many strokes you shot above or below par. You have to use four numbers to calculate a Differential: your score -- called an adjusted gross score by the USGA-- the USGA Course Rating, the courses Slope Rating and the number 113, which is the slope rating for a standard difficulty level course ("Handicap System Manual"). You calculate a Differential by subtracting the course rating from your score and then multiplying that difference by 113. Take that product and divide it by the course's Slope Rating ("Handicap System Manual"). That resulting number is the Differential for your score.
Those definitions are confusing, but just follow this example, and it will make much more sense. Pretend you shot a 91 during your last round. The golf course you played on had a USGA Course Rating of 72 and a Slope Rating of 126 - you can usually find both of those numbers posted in the clubhouse or near the tees. The first thing you must do is calculate the Differential for your score. First, subtract the Course Rating from your score: 91 - 72 = 19. Then, multiply that difference by the Standard Slope Rating: 19 x 113 = 2,147. Finally, divide that product by the course's Slope Rating: 2,147 / 126 = 17.03968. Then, round the number to the hundredths place, which would come to 17.04. Now, you have the Differential for your latest round. The next step will be to use that Differential in conjunction with your past Differentials to calculate your actual golf Handicap Index.
Don't worry. This is the easy part. Now, you must look at the USGA Differentials Table and figure out how many scores you need to use in your final calculation. Imagine you golf regularly and have well over 20 Differential, so you would use the lowest 10 out of your most recent 20 Differentials. Next, you take the average of those 10 Differentials. The final step is to multiply that average by 0.96. The resulting product is you golf Handicap Index. Now that wasn't so hard, was it?
Because most golfers would go insane having to recalculate their own golf handicap after each round, there are computers that will do everything for you. All you have to do is keep score and turn in your scorecards to get a golf handicap. However, knowing how your golf handicap is calculated has its benefits, like impressing your golfing buddies with your exemplary golfing knowledge. But no matter how much praise you get for your golfing know-how, do yourself a favor and just turn in your scorecards. Most mere mortals will injure their brains crunching all those numbers after every round.
