what exactly is a handicap and how do you calculate it?

Question

in lehmans terms

Answer 1

handicap is not your average score, it is your potential score, if you shoot 80 all the time on a par 72, you will likely be a 6-7
"Potential ability is defined by the term Handicap Index and is measured through a calculation using the player's best scores. These best scores are determined by calculating the Handicap Differential for each score. The Handicap Index is calculated by taking 96 percent of the average of the best Handicap Differential(s), and applying Section 10-3 for players with two or more eligible tournament scores."

there is a lot of math to be done to determine this

go to this link: http://www.usga.org/playing/handicaps/ma...

Click: The 2006-2007 USGA Handicap System Online Manual

click on section 10, USGA Handicap Formula

there are lots of parts to calculate and charts to read

Answer 2

It basically the average # of shots over par you shoot. But, that's the easiest most basic answer that could be given. It's a lot more complex than that. Each course has a particular rating that includes slope, stimp, length, etc. to determine the difficulty of the course. So, even if a course is a par 72 and you shoot 5 over your handicap might be10 if the course is really easy. Just as if you were 10 handicap and you shoot an 85 at Oakmont it would probably lower your handicap.

Answer 3

A handicap is calculated by how many shots over par on eighteen holes you average. If you have played 4 rounds of golf and all courses were a par 72 and you shot a 75 average overall for the four rounds then your hanicap would be a 3.

Answer 4

the average number of shots over par you shoot.
if you average an 80 on a par 72 your handicap would be 8

Answer 5

Easy don't worry about how to calculate it, let this free handicap calculator do it for you :)

Answer 6

each hole has a par number the number of shots it should take to hole out.so if par 4 hole you take 5 shots you are 1over par.therfore on that hole your handicap is one add this up for course of 19 holes and go from there/.