Sports calculators

Course Handicap Calculator

Updated Jul 14, 2026 By Jehan Wadia
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    Select Combination & Tees
    Gender / tee-set pairing (each has its own official ratings).
    The set of tees you will play from today.
    Tee Data Being Used
    Course Rating
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    Slope Rating
    —
    Par
    —
    Your Handicap Index
    Valid range: +8.0 to 54.0
    Enter one decimal place. Use a leading "+" for a plus handicap (e.g. +2.4).
    Your Result
    Your Course Handicap
    —

    Formula Breakdown

    Input Summary

    Step-by-Step Solution
    Course Handicap vs. Handicap Index
    Using the selected Slope, Course Rating & Par. Your current point is highlighted.

    Introduction

    A Course Handicap tells you how many strokes you get (or give back) on a specific course from a specific set of tees. It is different from your Handicap Index, which stays the same no matter where you play. Your Course Handicap changes based on the difficulty of the course.

    This Course Handicap Calculator uses the official formula from the World Handicap System: Course Handicap = (Handicap Index × Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). Just enter your Handicap Index, Slope Rating, Course Rating, and Par, and the tool does the math for you in seconds.

    You can search for a course from our built-in database to load its ratings automatically, or type in the numbers yourself from the scorecard. The calculator also shows a full step-by-step breakdown and a chart so you can see how your Course Handicap shifts across different Handicap Index values.

    How to Use Our Course Handicap Calculator

    Enter your Handicap Index and the course details from your scorecard. The calculator will give you your Course Handicap, which is the number of strokes you get (or give back) on that specific course.

    Choose how to enter course data. Pick "Search for Course" to find your course by name or location. Pick "Enter Manually" if you already know the Course Rating, Slope Rating, and Par from your scorecard.

    Course name or location (Search mode). Type the name of your golf course in the search bar and pick it from the list. You can also browse by country, region, city, and club using the dropdown menus.

    Course Combination (Search mode). Choose the combination that matches your tee set, such as Men's or Women's. Each one has its own official ratings.

    Starting Tees (Search mode). Pick the set of tees you will play from. The Course Rating, Slope Rating, and Par will fill in for you.

    Handicap Index. Enter your current Handicap Index. This is the number your golf association gives you to show your playing ability. If you need help figuring out your Handicap Index, try our Golf Handicap Calculator. It must be between +8.0 and 54.0. Use a "+" sign for plus handicaps, like +2.4.

    Course Rating (Manual mode). Enter the Course Rating from your scorecard. This is the score a scratch golfer is expected to shoot. It is a number with one decimal place, like 70.4.

    Slope Rating (Manual mode). Enter the Slope Rating from your scorecard. This is a whole number between 55 and 155 that shows how hard the course is for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The standard Slope Rating is 113.

    Course Par (Manual mode). Enter the total par for the course. This is a whole number found on your scorecard, usually between 70 and 73.

    Click "Calculate" to see your Course Handicap. You will also get a step-by-step breakdown of the math, a summary of your inputs, and a chart that shows how Course Handicap changes across different Handicap Index values.

    What Is a Course Handicap in Golf?

    A course handicap is the number of strokes you get (or give back) when you play a specific golf course from a specific set of tees. It levels the playing field so golfers of different skill levels can compete fairly against each other.

    Your course handicap changes from course to course. A harder course gives you more strokes. An easier course gives you fewer. This is different from your Handicap Index, which stays the same no matter where you play. Think of your Handicap Index as your portable skill number, and your course handicap as what that number turns into at the course you are playing today. You can use our Golf Handicap Calculator to determine your Handicap Index from your recent scores.

    How Is a Course Handicap Calculated?

    The official formula used by the World Handicap System is:

    Course Handicap = (Handicap Index × Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par)

    The result is rounded to the nearest whole number. Here is what each part means:

    • Handicap Index — A number that measures your playing ability. It is given to you by your golf association and can range from +8.0 (very skilled) to 54.0.
    • Slope Rating — A number between 55 and 155 that shows how hard a course is for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. The standard slope is 113.
    • Course Rating — The score a scratch golfer (someone with a 0 handicap) is expected to shoot on that course. It usually has one decimal place, like 71.4.
    • Par — The total number of strokes the course is designed to be played in, usually 70 to 73 for a full 18-hole round.

    Why Does Course Handicap Matter?

    Without a course handicap, a beginner and an experienced golfer could never have a fair match. The course handicap tells each player exactly how many strokes to adjust their score by, based on the difficulty of the tees they are playing. It is used in tournaments, casual matches, and net score competitions around the world.

    Where to Find Your Course and Slope Ratings

    You can find the Course Rating and Slope Rating printed on the scorecard at any rated golf course. They are also listed on your golf association's website or app. Each set of tees (for example, blue tees vs. white tees) has its own pair of ratings, so always check the values that match the tees you plan to play.

    Formulas used

    Course Handicap
    \text{Course Handicap} = \mathrm{round}\!\left(\frac{\text{Handicap Index} \times \text{Slope Rating}}{113} + (\text{Course Rating} - \text{Par})\right)
    Slope Adjustment
    \text{Slope Adjustment} = \frac{\text{Handicap Index} \times \text{Slope Rating}}{113}
    Rating Differential
    \text{Rating Differential} = \text{Course Rating} - \text{Par}

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the difference between Handicap Index and Course Handicap?

    Your Handicap Index is your overall skill number. It stays the same no matter where you play. Your Course Handicap is what that number becomes at a specific course from a specific set of tees. A harder course gives you a higher Course Handicap. An easier course gives you a lower one.

    What does the 113 in the formula mean?

    The number 113 is the standard Slope Rating. It represents a course of average difficulty. The formula divides by 113 so your Handicap Index can be adjusted up or down based on whether your course is harder or easier than average.

    What is a plus handicap?

    A plus handicap means you are a very skilled golfer who plays better than scratch. Instead of receiving strokes, you give strokes back. For example, a +2.4 Handicap Index means you typically shoot about 2 strokes below the Course Rating. Enter it with a "+" sign in the calculator.

    Why does my Course Handicap change when I pick different tees?

    Each set of tees has its own Course Rating and Slope Rating. Back tees are usually harder, so they have higher ratings. This means you get more strokes from the back tees and fewer from the forward tees. The formula adjusts automatically based on the tee you choose.

    How do I round my Course Handicap?

    Round to the nearest whole number. If the decimal is .5 or higher, round up. If it is below .5, round down. For example, 14.6 rounds to 15, and 14.4 rounds to 14. The calculator does this for you.

    Can I use this calculator for a 9-hole round?

    This calculator is built for 18-hole rounds. For a 9-hole round, you would need the 9-hole Course Rating, Slope Rating, and Par for your tees. If you have those numbers, you can enter them in manual mode to get a 9-hole Course Handicap.

    What if my course is not in the search database?

    Switch to "Enter Manually" mode. You can type in the Course Rating, Slope Rating, and Par from your scorecard. The calculator works the same way with manually entered numbers.

    What is Slope Rating?

    Slope Rating is a number between 55 and 155 that measures how much harder a course is for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. A higher Slope means the course is tougher for higher-handicap players. The standard Slope is 113.

    What is Course Rating?

    Course Rating is the score a scratch golfer (someone with a 0.0 Handicap Index) is expected to shoot on that course under normal conditions. It is shown with one decimal place, like 71.4. You can find it on your scorecard.

    What is the valid range for Handicap Index?

    The World Handicap System allows a Handicap Index from +8.0 to 54.0. A plus handicap (like +3.0) is for very skilled golfers. The maximum of 54.0 is for beginners. This calculator accepts any value within that range.

    How do I use my Course Handicap during a round?

    Subtract your Course Handicap from your gross score to get your net score. For example, if your Course Handicap is 18 and you shoot 90, your net score is 72. In match play, strokes are given on specific holes based on the hole handicap rankings on the scorecard.

    Is Course Handicap the same as Playing Handicap?

    No. Your Course Handicap is the full number of strokes you get on a course. Your Playing Handicap is your Course Handicap adjusted by a handicap allowance percentage set by the competition format. For example, in a fourball event you might only use 85% of your Course Handicap.

    Why is Course Rating sometimes higher than Par?

    Course Rating reflects the actual difficulty of the course, not just the par. A course with a par of 72 might have a Course Rating of 74.2 if it plays harder than a typical par-72 layout. The formula accounts for this difference so your Course Handicap is accurate.

    Does the chart update when I change my inputs?

    Yes. Every time you click "Calculate," the chart redraws using the current Slope Rating, Course Rating, and Par. Your specific Handicap Index is marked with an orange dot so you can see where you fall on the curve.

    Can two golfers have the same Handicap Index but different Course Handicaps?

    Yes. If they play from different tees, they will have different Course Handicaps because each set of tees has its own Course Rating and Slope Rating. Even on the same course, the back tees and forward tees produce different results.

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