How to calculate a Course Handicap
Scale your index by the slope: a slope of 113 is a course of standard difficulty, so multiply your index by slope ÷ 113. Then add the gap between the course rating and par. Round the total to the nearest whole stroke.
Competitions often apply an allowance on top. The USGA recommends 95% for individual stroke play and 85% for four-ball stroke play, and many committees set their own. Apply the allowance to the unrounded number, then round once.
Questions
Why does my course handicap change from course to course?
Because slope and rating change. Harder tees have a higher slope, so the same index gets more strokes there.
How do I enter a plus handicap?
Type it with the plus sign, like +2.1. A plus golfer gives strokes back, so the result can be a plus number too.
Where do I find slope and course rating?
On the scorecard or the course's page in your handicap app, listed for each set of tees.
Is my data stored?
No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere or put in analytics.
Sources
Formulas and rules checked against these sources on October 28, 2026. Leagues and associations change their rules, so when your league's rulebook differs, follow your league.