how do you work out your golf handicap?

Answer 1

Couple of answers above are correct. By why not go direct to the source? Check out this link to USGA

http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/handicaps.html

Good luck!!

Answer 2

It depends on where you are. In North America Handicaps are governed by the USGA. USGA handicaps are not your average strokes over par.

USGA Handicap:
The complicated forumal uses course slopes and ratings (to account for simple and more difficult courses). These are found on most scorecards. For each score you need to calculate what is called a differential using the following equation:
differential = ((totalScore - courseRating) * 113) / courseSlope

You then take your best differentials (10 best if you have 20 scores) and determine your handicap with this equation:

yourHandicap = averageOfBestDifferentials*.96

This is a simplified explanation. I am leaving out pieces like Equitable Stroke Control. Rarely to golfers do all the calculation on your own. I would suggest you sign up for a free service like oobgolf.com that does this for you.

Answer 3

Handicap is measured by the 10 best scores you post over the last 20 rounds. Each course has a different handicap which is reflected by the course slope and rating. To figure out your handicap for any one round take your score subtract the course rating multiply that by 113 and divide by course slope (i.e. Based on a score of 82 on a course with a rating of 72.5 and a slope of 130. 82-72.5=9.5 X113= 1073.5/130= 8.3). So, on a course with par 72 your handicap on that course would be 8.3. Now you can keep track of your handicap by keeping your last twenty scores and figuring out the best 10 rounds.

Answer 4

Ideally, your handicap should reflect your score over par over 18 hole. For example, if you are a scratch golfer, it means you have a handicap of zero, so you should play to par (72 shots on a par 72 course, for example). If you carry a 16 handicap, like I do, it means I should shoot somewhere around 88 (sixteen over par) on a par 72 course. Of course, there are a wide variety of courses and 72 on one course may not be exactly equal, difficulty wise, to another.
And if you have a minus handicap, it means you should be playing professionally.

Answer 5

Well if you've just started your handicap will be 28. Thats the lowest it can be. Once you've joined a club you'll then hand in your score for each round and it will be worked out for you.

Answer 6

It's the difference between your score and the course par taken as an average over four rounds I think. It.s a bit more complicated than I thought!

http://www.ehow.com/how_15107_calculate-golf-handicap.html

Answer 7

BexBoo -

This is the greatest site in the history of golf...you enter your scores, and Yahoo does all the work for you!!!

http://golf.sports.yahoo.com/tracker

Good luck!

Answer 8

Good questions, I've been looking for clarification on this for a while.

Answer 9

Electric wheelchair?

Answer 10

its to complicated , go see your local pga professional.