Figure Golf Handicap Calculator

One decimal each, oldest first; only the most recent 20 count. At least 3 (54 holes) are needed for a Handicap Index.
Optional. With 20 differentials the soft cap (increase above 3.0 halved) and hard cap (at most +5.0) are applied against it.
Used for Course Handicap, Playing Handicap and Net Double Bogey. In Handicap Index mode the index computed from your differentials is used instead. Enter a plus handicap as a negative number (+2.1 as -2.1).
Gross score after each hole is capped at Net Double Bogey (par + 5 before you have an index).
One decimal, from the scorecard for the tees played. For 9-hole rounds enter the 9-hole rating.
55-155; 113 is standard difficulty.
Published by the handicap service the day after play. Leave at 0.0 if unknown.
Appendix C recommendation; committees may vary it.
The handicap stroke allocation printed on the scorecard (1 = hardest).
Handicap Index
13.2
Golf Handicap Calculator (World Handicap System)
Score Differential
12.2
Score Differential before rounding
12.1828
Handicap Index (as written)
13.2
Handicap Index before caps
13.2
Differentials used
3 differentials: lowest 1 (15.2), adjustment -2.0
Cap applied
Not applicable
Handicap Index used for the Course Handicap
13.2
Course Handicap
14
Course Handicap before rounding
14.1522
Course Handicap (as written)
14
Playing Handicap
13
Playing Handicap before rounding
13.4446
Playing Handicap (as written)
13
Handicap strokes received on the hole
1
Net Double Bogey (maximum hole score)
7
Worked out from USGA / The R&A - Rules of Handicapping, Effective January 2024 (master text hosted by GolfRSA) and 6 other sources.
Rounding is "nearest, .5 upwards" throughout, as Rule 6 states for Course and Playing Handicap; the Rules say only "nearest tenth" for Score Differentials and the Handicap Index, so .5 up there is this calculator's convention.
Exceptional score reductions (Rule 5.9) need the Handicap Index in force at the time of each round and are not applied here.

How this is worked out

6 steps
  1. Score Differential = (113 / 128) x (85 - 71.2 - 0) = 0.882813 x 13.8 = 12.1828 -> 12.2
  2. 3 differentials in the record -> Rule 5.2a: lowest 1 with adjustment -2.0
  3. Lowest 1: 15.2 = 15.2; / 1 = 15.2; -2.0 = 13.2 -> 13.2
  4. Course Handicap = 13.2 x (128 / 113) + (71.2 - 72) = 14.9522 + -0.8 = 14.1522 -> 14
  5. Playing Handicap = unrounded Course Handicap 14.1522 x 95% = 13.4446 -> 13
  6. Net Double Bogey on a par 4 with stroke index 10: Course Handicap 14 gives 1 stroke(s) there, so maximum = 4 + 2 + 1 = 7

Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice.