What is Course Handicap? Converting Index to Strokes
Course handicap is the number of strokes you receive at a specific golf course, calculated from your handicap index adjusted for that course's difficulty.
A course handicap is the number of strokes you receive at a specific golf course, calculated from your handicap index adjusted for that course's slope rating, course rating, and par.
How Course Handicap is Calculated
The formula to convert your handicap index to a course handicap is:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating - Par)
For example, if you have a 15.0 handicap index playing a course with a 135 slope rating, 72.5 course rating, and par 72:
Course Handicap = 15.0 × (135 / 113) + (72.5 - 72) = 18.4, rounded to 18
Why Course Handicap Varies
| Course | Slope | Your Course Handicap |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Municipal | 105 | 14 |
| Standard | 113 | 15 |
| Challenging Resort | 135 | 18 |
| Championship | 155 | 21 |
The same handicap index produces different course handicaps because more difficult courses require more strokes for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer.
Using Your Course Handicap
Your course handicap determines:
- How many strokes you receive in stroke play
- Which holes you get strokes on in match play
- Your net score for competitions
Related Resources
- Golf Handicap Calculator - Calculate your course handicap
- Handicap Index vs Course Handicap - Understanding the difference
- Understanding Slope Rating - How slope affects your handicap