Course handicap calculator

WHS Course Handicap from your Handicap Index and the tee's Slope, Course Rating, and par. Uses the official USGA/R&A formula.

A wooden tee marker with rating numbers engraved on it
Course Handicap
14
14.5 × (125/113) + (70.4 − 72) = 14.44 → round → 14

The formula

Course Handicap = round( HI × (Slope / 113) + (Course Rating − Par) )

113 is the Slope Rating of a course of standard relative difficulty. The (Course Rating − Par) term was added in the 2020 WHS update so a course where the Course Rating is well above or below par doesn't give an unfair handicap.

Common questions

What is a Course Handicap?
Course Handicap is the number of strokes you receive at a specific set of tees on a specific course. Your Handicap Index is portable; your Course Handicap changes with the tee you play because Slope, Course Rating, and par differ between tees.
What is the WHS formula for Course Handicap?
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating − Par), rounded to the nearest whole number. 113 is the Slope Rating of a course of standard relative difficulty. Source: USGA Rules of Handicapping 2024.
Why does par matter?
Before the 2020 WHS update, par wasn't part of the Course Handicap formula. The Course Rating − Par adjustment was added so a course where the Course Rating is well below par doesn't unfairly inflate handicaps.
What's the difference between Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?
Course Handicap converts your Handicap Index for the tees you're playing. Playing Handicap then applies a format allowance (e.g. 95% for singles Stableford, 85% for four-ball stroke play). Playing Handicap is what you actually use during competition.

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