Can someone tell me how you figure out what your handicap is in golf?

Answer 1

Your handicap is how many strokes above par you average after 18 holes. If you get a 72, that is right at par which would make your handicap 0. Anything above 72 would be the handicap. So if you end up with 82 strokes, your handicap would be 10. If it's less than 72 than its negative. So if you got 60 strokes your handicap would be 12 under par

Answer 2

John gave the correct answer if you're looking for the hard way to do it :P

The easy way is to use a free handicap tracker like the one on yahoo and let them do the work.

If you'd like to get an official handicap to use in tournaments, you need to join the USGA and go through the process of aquiring an official handicap (the guys at your local golf course can help you with that).

Answer 3

Handicap is based on two factors: Course rating and slope rating. Course rating says how good an expert golfer will do on the course. Slope rating says how good a "bogey" golfer will do.

Course ratings are usually somewhere between 68 and 74. Slope ratings vary, but an "average" course has a slope of 113. A more difficult course has a higher slope rating.

They have almost nothing to do with par.

You handicap is 96% of the average of your best ten "differentials" of you last 20 rounds.

To figure your differential, use the following formula:
y = your score; c = course rating; s = slope rating:

differential = (y - c)*113/s

For example, if the course rating is 71.0 and the slope rating is 122, and you shoot an 89, your differential for that round would be:

(89-71)*113/122 = 16.7

Answer 4

A much better handicap and score tracker than mentioned above ...
http://www.ncgolfers.com/north-carolina/golf-handicap-index-tracker.php
Track all kinds of stats 4 FREE...

Answer 5

well there is a handicap calculator online just save your score card