How is my Handicap Index calculated?

Question

Accepted Answer

Each acceptable score becomes a Score Differential: Score Differential = (113 ÷ Slope Rating) × (adjusted gross score − Course Rating − PCC adjustment) rounded to the nearest tenth. Once you have 20 scores, your Handicap Index is the average of the lowest 8 of your most recent 20 Score Differentials (then the caps are checked). With fewer than 20 scores: Scores in record Differentials used Adjustment 3 Lowest 1 −2.0 4 Lowest 1 −1.0 5 Lowest 1 0 6 Average of lowest 2 −1.0 7–8 Average of lowest 2 0 9–11 Average of lowest 3 0 12–14 Average of lowest 4 0 15–16 Average of lowest 5 0 17–18 Average of lowest 6 0 19 Average of lowest 7 0 Your index should be updated no later than the day after you submit a score. Source: Rules of Handicapping (2024), Rules 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4.

Scores in record	Differentials used	Adjustment
3	Lowest 1	−2.0
4	Lowest 1	−1.0
5	Lowest 1	0
6	Average of lowest 2	−1.0
7–8	Average of lowest 2	0
9–11	Average of lowest 3	0
12–14	Average of lowest 4	0
15–16	Average of lowest 5