Why It Is Worth Having A Better Handicap?

The last time you played golf did you know what your handicap was? A handicap in golf is a way to even out a field of players who vary in skill by trying present a way to win based on improvement rather than skill. In golf now the handicap is one of the most important and widely used representations of a players skill and has been used for a large number of years.

The number of strokes a player with a handicap of 0, also known as a “scratch player”, takes to complete the course is known as the course par. This score with your handicap added is the number of strokes you are expected to complete the course in.

The advantage of a handicap is that if you play a normal round it should place you even with any other player under the handicap system on a normal round, yet if you play above your normal ability you will be placed above a better golfer who is only playing at their normal skill range.

The handicap rewards players for improving instead of being the best. It is a very encouraging system as lowering your handicap is a sign that you have improved in the sport, while not placing you ahead of all your peers. This allows you to keep the same level of competition between peers despite your improvements keeping it friendly and competitive.

The handicap itself is calculated using the course slope of your last few rounds in relation to your performance. If you were to take your last 5 rounds and look up your score for each, then subtract the course rating from your score and multiply that by 113 you would be left with what is known as the differential. If you locate the lowest of those scores and multiply it by 0.96 you are left with your handicap index.

If you are aware of your own handicap index you are able to use this value to calculate your handicap on a particular course. Find the course slope and divide it by 113, once you have that number multiply it by your handicap score and you will have your handicap for that particular round.

If you are interested in calculating your score you just subtract or add the number of strokes either side of par you are. This means if you play over par you add the number of strokes over par and if you play under par you subtract the number of strokes under par. If you play to your handicap your final score should be equal to your handicap.

Golfers are always aiming to improve their handicap as it is a sign on an improvement in their own skills. When playing with another golfer just compare handicaps and you will be able to see without even getting on the fairway who is a more consistent golder, as a lower handicap is typically a sign of consistency. Often a single round includes factors such as luck and can often end up being a less than accurate representation.

Find out more about golf now and improve golf swing methods with some simple instructions and tips offered by the experts which will give you the confidence you need.