Course Handicap

Course Handicap
Calculator.

Your Course Handicap converts your Handicap Index into the number of shots you get on a specific set of tees. Here's the formula with worked examples for every type of course.

Definition

A Course Handicap is the number of handicap strokes a golfer receives on a specific set of tees, calculated as: Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). It converts your portable Handicap Index into the shots you get at this course, on these tees.

The formula

WHS Course Handicap

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

Handicap Index

Your portable WHS number — e.g. 14.2. This is the same everywhere.

Slope Rating

Difficulty for bogey vs scratch golfer. Range 55–155, standard = 113. On the scorecard.

Course Rating

Expected score for a scratch golfer — e.g. 71.5. On the scorecard by tee colour.

Par

Total par for the round on these tees — usually 70, 71, or 72.

Round the result to the nearest whole number. The (Course Rating − Par) term adjusts for courses where a scratch golfer is expected to score above or below par — it ensures your Course Handicap reflects the real playing value of these tees.

Worked examples

Example 1 — Standard course (Slope 113, CR = Par)

Handicap Index18.0

Slope Rating113

Course Rating72.0

Par72

18.0 × (113÷113) + (72.0−72)= 18

Result: On a standard course, Course Handicap equals Handicap Index. Simple.

Example 2 — Hard course (Slope 131, CR above Par)

Handicap Index12.4

Slope Rating131

Course Rating74.1

Par72

12.4 × (131÷113) + (74.1−72)= 16

Result: A hard course pushes Course Handicap above Handicap Index. This player gets 16 shots — 4 more than their HI of 12.4 would naively suggest. The harder the course, the more shots everyone gets.

Example 3 — Easier course (Slope 98, CR below Par)

Handicap Index22.6

Slope Rating98

Course Rating69.5

Par71

22.6 × (98÷113) + (69.5−71)= 18

Result: An easier course reduces Course Handicap below Handicap Index. Despite having HI 22.6, this player gets 18 shots on these tees — the course is easier and more forgiving.

Quick reference — Slope effect

The table below shows the rough Course Handicap for a Handicap Index of 18, at varying Slope Ratings (assuming Course Rating = Par).

Slope Rating	Course Handicap (HI 18)	Difficulty
88	14	Very easy
100	16	Easy
113	18	Standard
125	20	Hard
140	22	Very hard
155	25	Extreme (max)

Common questions

What's the difference between Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?

Course Handicap is calculated from the WHS formula above. Playing Handicap applies the format allowance — for example, 85% for four-ball. In singles matchplay (100% allowance), Course Handicap and Playing Handicap are the same number. See the full allowances table.

Where do I find Slope Rating and Course Rating?

Both numbers are printed on the scorecard, typically in a table by tee colour and gender. The Slope Rating is always a whole number; the Course Rating has one decimal place. They change depending on which tees you play — the white tees and yellow tees at the same course will have different Slope and Course Ratings. See the course rating and slope explained guide.

Does Course Handicap change every time I play?

Yes — it changes whenever you play a course with different Slope or Course Rating values, or if your Handicap Index changes. It's recalculated for each round. Playing the same course twice in a week on the same tees will give the same Course Handicap (assuming your Handicap Index hasn't changed).

Why do I need to know Course Handicap for matchplay?

In matchplay, shot differences are calculated from Course Handicaps (not Handicap Indexes). The Course Handicap accounts for the specific difficulty of the course you're playing — so two players with identical Handicap Indexes can have the same Course Handicap, leading to a scratch matchplay, or slightly different ones depending on rounding. Always calculate from the scorecard, not from Handicap Indexes alone.