Skip to main content
Calcimator

Golf Course Rating Calculator

Calculate your handicap differential, estimated handicap index, and course handicap from your scores and course/slope rating.

Inputs

Results

Handicap Differential

18

Estimated Handicap Index16.2
Course Handicap16
Target Score88.2
Net Score74
Player ClassificationHigh Handicap
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your Average Score over recent rounds.
  2. Set the Course Rating and Slope Rating from the tee box you play (found on the scorecard).
  3. Enter the Number of Rounds to base the calculation on.
  4. Review your Handicap Differential, estimated Handicap Index, and Course Handicap.
  5. Use the Net Score and Target Score to understand your goal score for that course.

How the result changes with Average Score

Average ScoreHandicap Differential
69-3
9220
11947
14169

What each input means

Average Score
Your average 18-hole score (gross, not net).
Course Rating
USGA course rating — the expected score for a scratch golfer. Found on the scorecard.
Slope Rating
USGA slope rating (55-155). Standard is 113. Higher = harder for bogey golfers.
Number of Rounds
How many recent rounds to consider. USGA uses up to 20 rounds for index calculation.

What each result means

Handicap Differential
Your handicap differential: (Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating.
Estimated Handicap Index
Estimated USGA Handicap Index based on your best rounds (approximation).
Course Handicap
Strokes you receive on this specific course.
Target Score
Expected score at your handicap level on this course.
Net Score
Your gross score minus course handicap.
Player Classification
Your golfer classification based on handicap index.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Average Score = 90, Course Rating = 72, Slope Rating = 113, Number of Rounds = 10 = 4 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Handicap Differential
    Handicap Differential = ((avgScore - courseRating) * 113) / slopeRating
    18 = 18
  3. Calculate Estimated Handicap Index
    Estimated Handicap Index
    16.2 = 16.2
  4. Calculate Course Handicap
    Course Handicap = Math
    16 = 16

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Sports, Outdoors & Recreation

Golf Handicap Calculator

Calculate your golf handicap index and course handicap from recent round scores.

Golf

Golf Lesson ROI Calculator

Evaluate the return on investment for golf lessons. See projected handicap improvement, strokes saved per year, and cost per stroke gained.

Golf

Club Fitting Calculator

Get club length, lie angle, shaft flex, and grip size recommendations from your body measurements and swing speed.

Golf

Launch Angle Optimizer Calculator

Find optimal launch angle and spin rate for maximum distance based on your swing speed, attack angle, and ball speed.

More in Sports, Outdoors & Recreation.