What is a golf handicap? Do you need one? What are the handicap’s purposes in professional golf? Is there a difference between handicap and handicap indexes? If you’re a beginner golfer, chances are that you need answers to these questions.
Some people have a general idea of the handicap indexes as a measure of a player’s skill levels. The handicap system, however, can provide a lot more important information.
What Are Golf Handicaps?
The golf handicap system was officially introduced in 1911, meaning it has an extensive history. When speaking about handicaps and defining the term, we need to differentiate between two different words: handicaps and handicap indexes.
A handicap is a generic number that refers to a golfer’s prior round scores. Very often, golfers use this number, but it’s considered unofficial.
A handicap index, on the other hand, is an official measure tied to the World Handicap System. Handicap indexes aren’t average scores. This means that handicap indexes are standardized measures that take into account additional factors like the course’s specifics and tees played. In this sense, handicap indexes are used to measure consistency (regardless of weather conditions or if you’re simply having a bad day).
Over the decades, many different systems have been used to calculate a player’s handicap index. The USGA Handicap System, for example, is an outdated methodology that’s no longer being used. In 2020, the official World Handicap System (WHS) was introduced. Since it’s been adopted by most countries that have a culture of golf playing, it’s pretty much become universal.
Ways to Calculate the Official Handicap
As there aren’t multiple handicap systems anymore, only one standardized methodology is being used to assess a player’s official handicap.
A person who hasn’t played golf before starts out without a handicap. Experienced golfers have low numbers while newbies usually have a high handicap. Male and female golfers also have some differences in their scores.
In 2020, a formula was introduced for the calculation of the handicap score:
- Handicap index X (Slope rating / 113) + (Course rating – Par)
In this calculation, the handicap index refers to the average of the golf round scores.
At the very least, you need three 18-hole scores to calculate your handicap indexes. Once you get to 20 scores, you can do the math by averaging the eight best score differentials. The differential calculation can be handled via an online tool like this one.
If you don’t know how to get the exact handicap number, there are also online calculators that will make your life easier.
Factors That Determine a Handicap
In the US, the average handicap for men is 14.2, while for women it is 27.5. But what factors go into determining that number?
- Golf score: What’s your maximum hole score? Or your 9-hole score on a particular course? An accurate handicap calculation depends on having a good idea about your score per hole. That’s why golfers walk around with a pad and take note of their performance. Par information about golf courses is also important. You need information about the golf course’s difficulty which is determined considering the course rating and average slope rating. The standard slope rating is a measure of the golf course’s difficulty for a bogey golfer and the higher the standard slope rating is, the more difficult the course.
- Tees played: The farther back a golfer tees off, the lower the handicap number is going to be. There’s a simple explanation – playing from the back tees is a lot more challenging.
- Number of scores used: This factor is obvious but it needs to be mentioned nevertheless. Relying on more than a few scorecards will result in a higher level of accuracy when determining your playing ability. That’s because a history of golf playing demonstrates some level of consistency and allows for more precise handicap index calculation.
The Benefits of Having a Golf Handicap
Elite players have teams tracking their handicap consistently and benefit from computerized handicapping. Professionals and competitive players, however, are not the only ones who benefit from employing the complex formula used to determine handicap indexes.
Knowing your handicap is important because:
- It helps you track your progress over time: Are you becoming better and is there potential for enhanced performance? With handicap calculations, you can track your progress over time consistently to determine if you’re as good (or bad) as you think.
- Allows for accurate skill level assessment: Where do you stand right now? It can be difficult to measure your abilities and determine if you’re any good at this moment in time. A bit of confusion is common with newbies, but it can be eliminated through the use of a basic formula.
- Sets realistic goals: Based on your current handicap, current ability, and challenges you’re facing, you can set realistic goals for your golf training in the future.
- Irrelevant factors are taken out of the equation: How many times have golfers complained about a certain course being too difficult and affecting their game? The handicap calculation is adjusted for course difficulty, meaning all excuses go out the window when standardized data speaks.
- It is a requirement for tournaments: If you’re serious about golf and would like to enter tournaments, you’ll need a handicap number. That’s one of the handicap’s purposes: it allows for everyone to compete fairly and discover opportunities matched to their experience level. The golf handicap creates a level playing field, just like various similar metrics in other sports.
How to Obtain and Maintain Handicap Indexes
Getting an official handicap can be achieved exclusively by playing regularly. When you finally have yours calculated, you’ll need to continue doing a great job if you want to maintain a good score. A single bad average score isn’t going to have a massive impact on your handicap.
Keep in mind that even if you take a break, the handicap numbers will be maintained. So, a pause isn’t going to impact your score. A few other things, however, may impact your overall handicap numbers:
- Your skillset: Consistent drives with good distance, hitting more greens in regulation, converting more mid-length putts, learning to curve the golf ball on command – all will have a positive impact.
- The right kind of equipment: The quality of your golf gear matters as far as getting an exceptional score is concerned. A skilled golfer understands the importance of a golf set that allows the perfect grips. Damaged shafts and subpar equipment can be a hindrance to maintaining an optimal low handicap in the long run. Using the right kind of equipment also involves getting properly fitted for the right golf club – there are actual studies showing the importance of this step for consistently enhanced performance.
- Practice on different courses: Different slope ratings will show you what it’s like to ace the game in a range of conditions. Don’t spend too much time in one place. Change things in order to practice in uncomfortable surroundings that help you build upon your current ability.
Playing a few friendly games once in a while is a good start, but if you’d like to take your efforts a step further, you need to have your handicap calculated. Let’s face it – knowing where you stand and how you could improve your game will actually make golfing much more fun.
