| For as long as many people can remember, the | | | | If you are interested in how to calculate your |
| golf handicap system has been used as a way of | | | | handicap, you will need to know the course rating |
| evening a playing field of players who vary in skill. | | | | and your performance on your last few rounds. If |
| The handicap itself is a way of removing strokes | | | | you have that, subtract the course rating from |
| from your own score in a way that should leave | | | | your own score and then multiply by 113. Take |
| you even with any other player who is playing to | | | | that value, which is known as your differential, |
| their particular handicap. In golf now, the handicap | | | | find the lowest in your past few rounds and |
| is the most used method of measuring a players | | | | multiply by 0.96. The result you are left with if |
| skill. | | | | your handicap index. |
| The number of strokes a player with a handicap | | | | If a player knows their own handicap index, they |
| of 0, also known as a "scratch player", takes to | | | | can easily calculate their handicap on any course |
| complete the course is known as the course par. | | | | that provides what is known a course slope. Find |
| This score, with your handicap added, is the | | | | the course slope and divide it by 113 and multiply |
| number of strokes you are expected to | | | | that by your handicap index. The number is how |
| complete the course in. | | | | many strokes you are expected to get over par |
| The handicap, once applied, will remove the | | | | - your handicap. |
| element of skill, meaning a player who is better | | | | If you are interested in calculating your score you |
| on a given day is rewarded, not a player is who is | | | | just subtract or add the number of strokes either |
| better all the time. If you were to play a good | | | | side of par you are. This means if you play over |
| game against a much better golfer who was | | | | par you add the number of strokes over par and |
| playing an average game, your handicap will allow | | | | if you play under par you subtract the number of |
| you to beat them even if their skill level is well | | | | strokes under par. If you play to your handicap |
| beyond yours. | | | | your final score should be equal to your handicap. |
| The idea of the handicap system is to reward | | | | As a golfer you want to constantly improve your |
| and encourage improvement. If you lower your | | | | handicap, as when you are playing with another |
| own handicap you can feel that you are improving | | | | golfer your handicap is a good indication on your |
| as a player, and completing a round under your | | | | relative skills. It also symbolizes a consistency in |
| handicap makes you feel like you have played a | | | | your game, as the lower your handicap the more |
| good game. It also allows the game to remain | | | | regularly you play at that level. Often a single |
| friendly no matter the variation in skill between | | | | game will not indicate the real skill of a player |
| the players present, keeping an element of | | | | because of luck. This is why you should know |
| competition instead of taking it to a one horse | | | | your handicap if you go and play golf now. |
| race. | | | | |