MyBogey the free on-line golf handicap calculator

A golf handicap or handicap index is a numerical measure of a golfer's playing ability. It can be used to calculate a so-called "net" score from the number of strokes actually played, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on equal terms. Handicaps are usually administrated by golf clubs or national golf associations.

Determining a player's handicap
While there are many variations in detail, all handicap systems are based on calculating an individual player's playing ability from his or her recent history of golf rounds. Therefore, a handicap is not fixed but is gradually adapted to any improvement or deterioration of a player's skills.

A player's handicap is (very roughly) equal to the average number of strokes that he or she plays above the par of a course. Thus, an expert golfer who plays a course in even par (scratch golfer) will have a handicap of 0. A player who constantly plays a 100 on a par-72 course will have a handicap of 100 - 72 = 28.

Adjusted Gross Score
Before turning in scores for handicap purposes, all players are responsible for adjusting their scores in accordance with Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) in the United States and Canada.

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA and the RCGA to eliminate the effect of "disaster holes." Equitable Stroke Control puts a limit on the number of strokes you can write down on the scorecard for any one hole, based on your course handicap.

If you do not yet have a handicap index, then use the maximum allowable handicaps to determine course handicap and ESC. For men, that means using 36.4 as a handicap index, and for women, 40.4.

Here's how to apply the ESC Procedure:

  • Based on your handicap, use the chart below to look up the maximum score you can post on any hole based on your Course Handicap.
  • If you do not complete a hole, write down the score you most likely would have made. If you do not play a hole or do not play a hole under the Rules of Golf, write down par plus the handicap strokes you would receive on that hole. Such scores should be preceded by an "X." Do not write down your maximum score for an incomplete hole unless your probable score exceeds your maximum score.

Adjust Your Scores

Equitable Stroke Control (United States)

Estimated Course Handicap Maximum Score
Posted on Any Hole
9 or less Double Bogey
10 through 19 7
20 through 29 8
30 through 39 9
40 and above 10

Equitable Stroke Control (Canada)

Estimated Course Handicap Maximum Score
Posted on Any Hole
Scratch Bogey
1 through 18 Double Bogey
19 through 32 Triple Bogey
33 and higher Quad Bogey

Calculating a score
The handicap is used to determine on which holes a player (or team) is granted extra strokes. These are then used to calculate a "net" score from the number of strokes actually played ("gross" score).

To find how many strokes a player is given, the procedures differ between matchplay and stroke play. In match play, the difference between the players' (or teams') handicaps is distributed among the holes to be played. For example, if 18 holes are played, player A's handicap is 24, and player B's handicap is 14, then A is granted ten strokes: one on each of the ten most difficult holes and no strokes on the remaining eight. If A's handicap is 36 and B's handicap is 14, A is granted 22 strokes: one on each of the 18 holes to be played, and an additional one on each of the four most difficult holes.

The procedure in stroke play is similar, but each player's individual handicap (rather than the difference between two players' handicaps) is used to calculate extra strokes. Therefore, a player with handicap 10 is granted one stroke on each of the ten most difficult holes and no extra strokes on the remaining eight. A player with a handicap of 22 is granted 22 strokes: one on each of the 18 holes and an additional one on each of the four most difficult holes.

Example for the calculation of "net" results: Assume that A is granted one stroke on a par four hole and player B is granted none. If A plays six strokes and B plays five, their "net" scores are equal. Therefore, in match play the hole is halved; in stroke play both have played a "net" bogey (one over par). If both play five strokes, A has played better by one "net" stroke. Therefore, in match play A wins the hole; in stroke play A has played a "net" par and B a "net" bogey.

Course Rating and Slope
Each officially rated golf course is described by two numbers, the course rating and the course slope. Both of these numbers along with a players score are required to calculate a handicap.

  • Course Ratingis very easy to understand because it is expressed in strokes. A par-72 course that is easy might have a course rating of 69.5; one that is difficult might have a course rating of 73.2.

  • Slopeis not expressed in strokes, but, rather, is a ratio. The higher the slope, the more difficult the course plays for bogey golfers. A slope rating of 113 is considered average. The higher the number - up to 155 - the more difficult the course. The lower the number - to 55 - the easier the course.

Course Handicap
Course handicap is a number that tells golfers how many strokes they are allowed to take during a handicap round, and it is not the same thing as handicap. In fact, handicap is used to determine course handicap.

Golf Handicap Calculation

  • A minimum of five scores and a maximum of 20 is required to get started. For each score, the Course Rating and Slope Rating for the courses played are also required.
  • (Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating
  • For example, let's say the score is 90, the course rating 71.2, the slope 125.
  • The formula would be (90 - 71.2) x 113 / 125. This differential is calculated for each round entered.
  • If 20 rounds are entered, only the 10 lowest differentials are used. Then take an average of the differentials used by adding them together and dividing by the number used (i.e., 10).
  • Multiply the result by 0.96. The result is the Handicap.

Every golf course should have posted a chart showing course handicaps for players based on their handicap index and the slope of the tees played. For example, the chart may show that a 14.5 handicapper playing tees with a slope of 108 has a course handicap of 13; or playing tees with a slope of 138 has a course handicap of 16.

The course handicap accounts for slope rating and may award extra strokes on a difficult course, or take away strokes on an easier course.

USGA and RCGA
The MyBogey calculator has not been endorsed by the USGA or RCGA. For more information on go to USGA or RCGA websites.
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