Many golfers have heard the phrase golf handicap put many do not not the exact meaning of this term. This post will explain in clear terms the complex calculation of golf handicap. Think of a golf handicap as the golfers ability plus the degree of difficulty of the course he is playing.
The lower the golfers handicap the better a golfer is. What is your handicap? Many of us has heard that term in the golf club or when watching a golf tournament.
Why is their a golf handicap system?
The golf handicap system is put in place so different level or skills of players can compete in a round of golf. In the United States there are two organizations that determine a golfers handicap; United States Golf association and R& A.
There are specific arithmetic calculations are used in determining a golfers handicap. The calculations between the 2 main organizations are not of big difference. A golfers handicap is an average of his 10 best scores.
What is a Scratch Golfer/ What is a bogey golfer (golf terms related to a golf handicap)
A scratch golfer is a golfer that plays with an average of par so his handicap is 0. A bogey golfer is a golfer that plays about 18 over par for a 18 hole round of golf. The handicap system was setup so different level (or skilled) players can go out and compete on the golf course in a competitive way. The handicap is subtracted from a players total score score.
Example say you are a golfer with a handicap score of 8 . You shoot a score of 80. Your score would be 72 (80 – 8). Your competing against your buddy Joe who is not as good of golfer as you and he has a handicap of 14. Joe shoots a score of 85. Joe’s score ends up being 71 (85 – 14). Joe wins by 1 stroke! That is how it works.
What is a slope rating?
In simple terms the golf slope rating is the degree of difficulty of a particular golf course. The slope rating is the score of a golf course by a bogey golfer one that hits one stroke over par for the course.
The course rating is designed for the average golfer.
The actual formula for calculating a golfers handicap for a given golf course is somewhat complex. Many golf courses carry a golf handicap calculator that any golfer can use. Below is the basic golf handicap formula.
(a-b) * 113 / c = d.
a is the adjusted gross score. The number of golf strokes a player makes, adjusted per the USGA handicap system
b is the usga course rating
113 is the standard slope rating
c is the course slope rating for the course being played.
d is the calculated golfers handicap from the equation.
example a 80, b 73, 113 is 113, c 125.
(80-73) * 113 / 125 = 6.328. then round to one digit 6.3 and multiply by .96 (The bonus for excellence its an incentive to improve their game) = 6.04 round to 1 digit would b 6 in this example.
Many courses have a handicap calculator you can plug in your handicap for many golf courses in the United States.
Check with your golf club on how to sign up and apply for a golf handicap.
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