A Guide To Understanding Golf Handicaps

The golf handicap system used today was introduced by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in the early 20th century. The handicapping system received a major overhaul in the early 1980's. At this time slope rating for golf courses was added to the longstanding course rating as the methods of rating course difficulty.

USGA Slope Rating is a number that represents the difficulty of a course. The numbers range from 55 to 155. Slope rating is a ratio. The higher the slope, the more difficult the course. 113 is considered average.

USGA Course Rating is an estimate of the average scores of the best rounds played by scratch players of that course. Course rating is simpler in that it is expressed in strokes.

The handicap system was designed to "level the playing field" for golfers of differing abilities, so that those golfers can compete equally. The better the golfer you are, the lower golf handicap you will have.

Other sports have "equalizers" such as weight divisions in wrestling and boxing. Just as it wouldn't be reasonable for a 250 lb. boxer to fight one that weighs half his weight, it isn't reasonable that a golfer with an average score of 98 should try to compete against someone with an average score of 75.

Golf handicaps let the weaker player deduct a stroke from his score for that hole. Players of varying ability levels figure their net score. The net score is their actual score less the strokes allowed to be deducted on respective holes.

To take part in the USGA Handicap System, you must join an authorized golf club. Most golf courses have clubs that will issue handicap indexes, so finding one isn't difficult. Your handicap index is calculated by taking your 10 best scores of your 20 most recent games. A complicated formula is used to determine your official handicap index. It takes into account adjusted gross score, course rating, and slope rating. Beginner golf tip: if this seems confusing, not to worry. You don't have to figure this out yourself!

A course handicap determines how many strokes you are allowed on that course, depending on your handicap. Most golf courses have charts you can use to get their course handicap.

If you don't have a golf handicap yet and would like to know what your handicap would be, Google "golf handicaps" or "golf handicap calculator". One should be easy to find. Enter the course and slope ratings for the tees you play. This should be on your scorecard. Then enter your adjusted gross score for at least 5 of your most recent rounds. That is all you need to get a good idea of what your 18 hole handicap index will be.

Once you have your golf handicap, you are ready to fairly compete with any other handicapped golfer in the world!