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Golf Handicap Index Calculator

Your Handicap Index is the average of your best eight Score Differentials from your last twenty rounds. Paste your differentials and see which ones count.

Most recent first or last, order does not matter. From 3 to 20 rounds.

Handicap IndexExample

13.7

The best 8 of 20 score differentials average 13.68, giving a handicap index of 13.7.

Score Differentials:
20 entered
How it was calculated
  1. 20 rounds: the best 8 count
  2. best 8: 12.4, 12.9, 13.1, 13.7, 13.9, 14.2, 14.5, 14.7
  3. average = 13.68
  4. rounds to 13.7

Rule: handicap index

Worked example

The best 8 of 20 score differentials average 13.68, giving a handicap index of 13.7.

  1. 20 rounds: the best 8 count
  2. best 8: 12.4, 12.9, 13.1, 13.7, 13.9, 14.2, 14.5, 14.7
  3. average = 13.68
  4. rounds to 13.7

How it is calculated

With twenty rounds, the eight lowest Score Differentials are averaged and rounded to one decimal. With fewer rounds the number that counts falls: three rounds use the lowest one with a −2 adjustment, six use the lowest two with −1, and so on up the WHS table. Parful uses this exact table.

When it does not apply

  • This is a calculation from the differentials you supply. Your official index comes from your handicap authority, which also applies soft and hard caps against your Low Handicap Index.
  • Order does not matter here. In the real system the twenty most RECENT rounds are the window, so know which twenty you are pasting.

Questions

How many rounds do I need?

Three acceptable rounds for a first index. Twenty for the full best-eight calculation.

What is the adjustment for fewer rounds?

A deduction that stops a thin record producing a flattering index: −2 with three rounds, −1 with four or six, then none from seven onwards while the count of rounds used rises toward eight.

Where do I find my differentials?

Your handicap app or scoring record lists one per round. Parful shows them on your player profile.

The rule

This calculator applies the rule explained at www.parful.io/handicaps/handicap-index.

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Trademarks

. GHIN® and USGA® are registered marks of the United States Golf Association. World Handicap System™, WHS™, Handicap Index®, Score Differential™, Low Handicap Index™, Course Handicap™, Playing Handicap™, Course Rating™, Bogey Rating™ and Slope Rating™ are trademarks and service marks owned or licensed by the United States Golf Association and The R&A. Ryder Cup® is a trademark of PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe. Pinehurst® is a trademark of Pinehurst, LLC. Parful is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of these organizations. Game names such as Stableford, Nassau, Wolf, Vegas and Skins are used descriptively.