How To Calculate Golf Handicap Index
If you are new golf and don’t quite get how to calculate golf handicap index then do read this article, which covers some interesting information on golf handicap system and the index.
The present golf handicap system in use today came into being in America in the early twentieth century. Needless to say it was brought in by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The system was overhauled and slope rating for golf courses got added to existing mix.
What is slope rating? It is a number that stands for the level of difficulty of the course being played on. Numbers range from 55 to 155 and the slope rating is a ratio. Higher the level of slope then higher the level of rating added.
The golf handicap system was brought to level the playing field so to speak with the weaker player deducting a stroke from his score for that hole. In order to take part in the USGA handicap system one must become a member of an authorized golf club.
The golf handicap index is a means to measure the golfer’s potential and help players of differing abilities play competitively. The golf handicap index is used in tournaments to rank players.
If you want to know how to calculate golf handicap index then collect a minimum number of 5 and maximum 20 recent golfing scores. Now use the equitable stroke control (ESC) to find out whether your scores will need to be adjusted. The ESC system sets the maximum number of strokes for a hole based on the player’s course handicap. Those players with out a handicap may change scores on any hole where the recorded score was greater than 10 strokes to 10. This is also the maximum number of stokes to be recorded for your gold handicap index.
Now you are not yet finished with your golf handicap rating. You have some work to do. Subtract the rating of the course from where the score was established from the adjusted gross score. Multiply this result by 113 which is the highest slope rating allowed by the USGA and round off to the nearest tenth figure. You now have your golf handicap for that round of golf. You will have to repeat this procedure for every round recorded.
Still not done! Take the best 10 differentials from the last 20 rounds and add them together. Now divide the figure by the number of differentials used and multiply the resultant figure by 0.96. This is your golf handicap index. You have to adjust your golf handicap index figure by repeating the same calculation to get the differential for every round played. Then compare with the last 19 rounds to find out whether it will need to be included in the “best” calculation, if yes then make a recalculation accordingly.
In closing you should be aware that you can make use of your new skill on how to calculate golf handicap index to track your progress or regress as the case may be over the course of your golfing career.