Golf handicaps are an essential aspect of the game. But there’s a lot to learn about them, and at times they can get complicated.
Whether you are a beginner golfer who is trying to get their first handicap, or an experienced player hoping to freshen up on some of the lingo and details, we can help.
Here’s everything you need to know about golf handicaps.
Let’s start with the basics. Handicaps exist to measure a golfer’s ability. While golfers usually use the simplified “handicap” term, the official term is “Handicap Index.”
5 things you *need* to know to understand Handicap Indexes
Generally speaking, a Handicap Index measures your expected score-to-par. For example, a 15-handicap represents 15 shots above total par. If a player with a 15-handicap shoots an 87 on a par-72 course, that player equaled his Handicap Index.
While important for tracking your progress and ability, handicaps are also essential for match play. Handicaps allow players of different abilities to play competitive matches against each other. But in matches, we use “Course Handicaps” instead of Handicap Indexes.
A Course Handicap is like a Handicap Index, but it is specific to the course and tees you’re playing on a particular day. For golf match play, golfers use their course handicaps to determine how many shots each player will receive compared to their opponents.
For example, if a player with a course handicap of 15 faces a player with a course handicap of 5, the first player will receive 10 strokes over the course of the round. More accurately, that 15-handicap will receive a one-stroke advantage over his opponent on the 10 most difficult holes on the course. On those 10 holes, the 15-handicap gets to deduct one stroke from his score to determine the winner of that hole.
Golf handicaps are calculated using your 20 most recent scores. But they don’t all count. Only your eight best scores among those 20 are used to determine your Handicap Index.
This surprising state has best average handicap index in the U.S.
It’s also important to note that your Handicap Index is not meant to predict what you will shoot in a given round, or even your average score.
Instead, the USGA states that a player should shoot their Handicap Index 20-25% of the time.
Additionally, given the nature of how Handicap Indexes are determined, a golfer should not expect one round to dramatically change their Handicap Index. In fact, it often won’t change at all from one score.
While Course Handicaps are determined by players before a round, players don’t calculate their Handicap Indexes. Instead, they enter their scores into an official handicap-tracking system.
Handicaps are tracked using the Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN). The best place to get your handicap is directly from the USGA. All you need to do is enter your state, zip code and contact information and pay the $60 annual fee.
Once you set up your handicap, you’ll receive a GHIN identification number that you can use to post your scores at golf courses, country clubs and elsewhere. To make life easier, you can use the GHIN mobile app to post scores.
When talking handicaps, you might hear people refer to “plus” or “minus” handicaps. Most people hold minus handicaps. But players who consistently break par, such as PGA Tour pros, usually have a plus handicap.
That means they are expected to score lower than par. For example, a pro with a +4-handicap has averaged four strokes under par in his eight best scores among his most recent 20 rounds.
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