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Course Handicap Calculator

Convert your Handicap Index into your Course Handicap for a specific course and tee.

Informational only — not a substitute for official league statistics or professional judgment.

How it's calculated

Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par) Result is rounded to the nearest whole number. Example: Handicap Index 12.4, Slope Rating 130, Course Rating 72.3, Par 72 Course Handicap = 12.4 × (130 ÷ 113) + (72.3 − 72) ≈ 14.6 → 15

Assumptions

  • Slope Rating must fall within the USGA-defined range of 55 to 155; 113 represents a course of standard difficulty.
  • Does not apply an additional Playing Handicap percentage some tournament formats use on top of Course Handicap — check your event's rules if one applies.

Source: USGA — World Handicap System, Rule 6.1

Last reviewed: July 2026

Frequently asked questions

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

Handicap Index is a portable number that follows you between courses, based on your scoring history. Course Handicap converts that portable number into the actual strokes you receive at a specific course and tee, using that course's Slope and Course Rating — the same Handicap Index produces a different Course Handicap at an easier course versus a harder one.

Where do I find the Slope Rating and Course Rating for a course?

Both are posted on the scorecard for each set of tees, and are also searchable through your national golf association's course database (in the US, the USGA's Course Rating and Slope Database). Slope Rating ranges from 55 to 155, with 113 representing a course of standard/average difficulty.

What does a negative Course Handicap mean?

A negative result means the golfer plays to a "plus" handicap — better than scratch — and is displayed with a plus sign (e.g. +2) by golf convention. A plus-handicap golfer adds strokes to their gross score rather than subtracting, since they're expected to shoot below the course's par.

Is Course Handicap the same as what I use for tournament net scoring?

For most everyday net competitions, yes — Course Handicap is the number of strokes applied to your gross score. Some tournament formats apply an additional "Playing Handicap" percentage on top of Course Handicap (e.g. 95% for individual stroke play); check your event's specific rules if one applies.

Related tools

Score Differential Calculator

Calculate a golf round's Score Differential from Adjusted Gross Score, Course Rating, and Slope Rating, using the official World Handicap System formula.

Open tool →Handicap Index Calculator

Calculate a golfer's Handicap Index from recent rounds' Score Differentials, using the official World Handicap System table and formula.

Open tool →Scoring Average Calculator

Calculate a golfer's scoring average from total strokes and rounds played.

Open tool →