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Handicaps
Explained
The
basic definition of a golfing handicap is actually the simplest to
understand and probably what most weekend golfers are interested in. In
short, the handicap is nothing more than a golfer's gross score minus the
course par. So for example, if a golfer scores an 87 on a par 72 course,
his or her course handicap is 15 (87-72).
A
handicap differential is the difference between a
player's adjusted gross score and the course rating, multiplied by 113
(the slope rating of a course of standard difficulty), divided by the
slope rating, then rounded to the nearest tenth (i.e. 11.4).
Handicap
Indexes are "handicap passports" which golfers can take
with them to determine their appropriate handicap at other courses.
Similar to a handicap differential, is is expressed as a number taken to
one decimal place. To calculate, simply average the best ten handicap
differentials from your last twenty games, and multiply it by 0.96. Most
courses will have a handicap index conversion chart on which golfer's may
convert their handicap index to a course handicap.
For
a detailed explanation of the USGA handicapping system, consult the USGA
handicap web page at
www.usga.com/handicap/.
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