Golf Course Handicap Calculator
Convert a handicap index into a course handicap using slope and rating.
About Golf Course Handicap Calculator
The slope rating scales a handicap index to the course difficulty, and 113 is the neutral value. Harder courses give more strokes, which is what makes handicaps portable between courses. Playing a high-slope course from an unadjusted index systematically disadvantages higher handicappers, which is precisely what the adjustment exists to correct.
Formula
Golf Course Handicap
Course handicap = index × slope ÷ 113 + (course rating − par)
- slope rating
- Relative difficulty for a bogey golfer, where 113 is average
- course rating
- Expected score for a scratch golfer
Worked example
With the default values below, Golf Course Handicap Calculator returns Course Handicap of 16. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Handicap indexaccepts -10–54
- 14.2
- Slope ratingaccepts 55–155
- 132
- Course ratingaccepts 54–80
- 71.6
- Course paraccepts 54–80
- 72
Results
- Course Handicap
- 16
- Unrounded Course Handicap
- 16.188
- Course Rating Adjustment
- -0.40
- Slope Multiplier
- 1.1681
- Strokes Above the Handicap Index
- 1.99
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Golf Course Handicap
- 3Course Handicap= 16
- 4Unrounded Course Handicap= 16.188
- 5Course Rating Adjustment= -0.40
- 6Slope Multiplier= 1.1681
- 7Strokes Above the Handicap Index= 1.99
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
- These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
- This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Golf Course Handicap calculated?
Course handicap = index × slope ÷ 113 + (course rating − par) The slope rating scales a handicap index to the course difficulty, and 113 is the neutral value. Harder courses give more strokes, which is what makes handicaps portable between courses.
Why does Golf Course Handicap matter?
Playing a high-slope course from an unadjusted index systematically disadvantages higher handicappers, which is precisely what the adjustment exists to correct.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 4 inputs: Handicap index, Slope rating, Course rating, Course par. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.