Handicap
A numerical measure of a golfer's ability that allows players of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other.
What does handicap mean in golf?
The handicap system is golf's great equalizer. Under the World Handicap System, a player's handicap index is calculated from the best 8 of their last 20 score differentials. A lower handicap indicates a better player — a scratch golfer has a 0 handicap, while a bogey golfer is roughly an 18. The handicap index is portable across courses and is converted to a course handicap based on each course's difficulty rating and slope. This system makes it possible for a 25-handicap to compete meaningfully against a 5-handicap.
GolfN Tip: GolfN integrates directly with GHIN so you can sync your handicap, post scores, and track your index — all for free.
Download GolfN free →Related Golf Terms
Course Handicap
The number of strokes a player receives when playing a specific course, calculated from their handicap index and the course's difficulty.
Slope Rating
A number from 55 to 155 that indicates the relative difficulty of a golf course for bogey golfers compared to scratch golfers.
Course Rating
A numerical value that represents the expected score for a scratch golfer on a specific course under normal playing conditions.
Scratch Golfer
A player with a handicap index of 0 who is expected to shoot even par on a standard-difficulty course.
Net Score
A player's gross score minus their course handicap strokes, used to level competition between players of different abilities.
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