What is the World Handicap System (WHS)?

The World Handicap System (WHS) is the global standard for golf handicaps introduced in 2020. It uses your best 8 of your last 20 score differentials to calculate your handicap index.

What is a score differential?

A score differential measures how well you played relative to the course difficulty. It is calculated as: (113 / Slope Rating) × (Adjusted Gross Score − Course Rating). Lower differentials mean better rounds.

What is a good golf handicap?

A handicap of 0 means you play to par (scratch golfer). Most recreational golfers have handicaps between 10 and 28. The maximum handicap under WHS is 54.0 for all players.

Golf Handicap Calculator

Calculate your golf handicap index using the World Handicap System. Enter your recent scores and course details to find your handicap.

⛳ Course details (default for new rounds)

Course Rating

Slope Rating

Par

📋 Rounds (3 / max 20)

Gross score

Slope

Differential

18,8

Gross score

Slope

Differential

17,0 ⭐

Gross score

Slope

Differential

20,7

⭐ Using 1 best differentials from 3 rounds (WHS rule)

Handicap Index (WHS)

16,3

Average

Course Handicap for this course

CR 70 / Slope 120 / Par 72

📊 Handicap reference table

Handicap Index	Level	Description
+5.0 – 0.0	Pro level	Tour player level or close to it
0.1 – 4.4	Excellent	Club's best players, often competitive
4.5 – 11.4	Good	Clearly above average player
11.5 – 18.4	Average	Regular player, consistent hobby
18.5 – 26.4	Developing	A few years of experience
26.5 – 36.0	Beginner	Learning the game
36.1 – 54.0	Beginner+	Just started, max WHS handicap

📌 This calculator uses the World Handicap System (WHS) formula: Differential = (113/Slope) × (Gross − CR). Handicap Index = best 1/3 differentials × 0.96. Official handicap must be obtained through your golf association.

The golf handicap calculator estimates your handicap from round scores in line with the World Handicap System. Enter the scores you have played along with the course difficulty details to get an estimate of your Handicap Index.

How the calculator works and what it’s for▾

How the handicap is formed

In the WHS each round produces a score differential that is set in relation to the difficulty of the course. This depends on the Course Rating and Slope Rating, which describe how challenging the layout is for players of different abilities.

The Handicap Index is built from the average of your best differentials, so a single poor round does not collapse your handicap.

What you enter and what you get

You provide your round scores and the difficulty values of the course played. The calculator converts these into differentials and computes an estimate of your Handicap Index.

With the index you get a course handicap for different courses, making competition between players of varied backgrounds fairer.

Who it is for

The tool serves golfers who want to track their progress and gauge the direction of their handicap between official updates.

It helps both beginners and experienced players understand how scores feed into the handicap.

Good to know

The figure the calculator gives is an estimate. Your official handicap updates in your club or federation system according to the rules, which may include additional adjustments.

Use the result to support your own tracking, not as an official handicap.

🔄 Reviewed June 2026