Gus
5 minutes
We constantly get questions about how to calculate your golf handicap. And while you don’t need to dominate the math, it is very useful to understand the formula behind it.
So, I will try to explain it in a very simple way. Keep in mind that the full methodology is very complex and I will simplify it for this article’s purpose. If you want to know the full detail of the methodology, go to USGA Full Handicap Manual.
The Index is calculated based on the lowest Handicap Differentials you have among your Scores. If you have 20 or more scores uploaded, the lowest 8 out of your last 20 differentials will be the ones counting towards your Index.
Open your TheGrint profile through the website www.thegrint.com and go to Stats (the third icon from top to bottom of the left side banner). Right there you will be able to see all the differentials that are used to calculate your Index (the green columns). Sum those 8 differentials, which are the lowest out of your last 20 scores, and divide that number by 8. That is your Index.
With the new World Handicap System (WHS), you only need a minimum of 3 Scores of 18-holes (it can be a mix of 9-hole scores and 18-hole scores), or 54 holes. So, the more Scores you have uploaded to your TheGrint Account, the more accurate your Handicap Index will be.
The Handicap Differential is: (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating ) *113 / Slope Rating
In case you need or want to calculate the Course Handicap for one of your Rounds, this is the new Formula: Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating - Par).
1- If you upload the Score hole-by-hole (or through SPS), the Adjusted Gross Score is calculated automatically using your Course Handicap.
The Adjusted Gross Score is calculated by placing a maximum score per hole of Net Double Bogey.
2- If you upload the Total Score, you will have to calculate the Adjusted Gross Score yourself and input that in the app. Basically, it is the sum of the score of each hole after applying the Net Double Bogey Max.
To find the Net Double Bogey max for each hole use this formula: Par + 2 strokes + any Handicap strokes received on the Hole.
The USGA handicap system also has a table that determines how many rounds to use if you have less than 20 rounds posted. See below:
Well, unfortunately, it is not that simple. The USGA requires that there is peer review of golf activities, and rightly so. The reality is that while most golfers behave ethically, not everyone does. And a mathematical formula will only give you back info based on what you put in, so if someone decides to trick the system it will be able to do so unless it is subject to peer review.
Let us know your comments or questions.
Enjoy your golf and hit’em straight!
