6.1 Course Handicap Calculation

6.1a For an 18-hole Round

An 18-hole Course Handicap is calculated as follows:

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating – par)

Notes:

  1. If an 18-hole round is being played over the same 9 holes from the same tees and there is no 18-hole Course Rating, the 18-hole Course Handicap is calculated as follows:

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (9-hole Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (2 x 9-hole Course Rating – 2 x 9-hole par)

  1. Rounding to the nearest whole number is the final step of the calculation.

6.1b For a 9-hole Round

A 9-hole Course Handicap is calculated as follows:

Course Handicap = (Handicap Index ÷ 2(rounded to the nearest tenth)) x (9-hole Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (9-hole Course Rating – 9-hole par)

Rounding to the nearest whole number is the final step of the calculation.

(See Appendix E: Stroke Index Allocation for guidance on stroke index allocation for 9-hole rounds.)

Rule 6.1b Clarifications:

6.1b/1 – Use of 9-Hole Course and Slope Ratings in the Calculation of a 9-hole Course Handicap

When an Authorized Association issues Course Ratings and Slope Ratings to golf clubs, the 18-hole ratings should also be presented with front nine and back nine Course Ratings and Slope Ratings. For example:

 

 

White Tees (Men)

White Tees (Women)

Course Rating

Slope Rating

Course Rating

Slope Rating

18-Holes

73.1

132

75.5

138

Holes 1-9

36.1

132

37.3

135

Holes 10-18

37.0

131

38.2

141

The calculation of a 9-hole Course Handicap must use the correct Course Rating and Slope Rating for the 9-hole golf course being played.

Note: The calculated 18-hole and 9-hole Course Handicap is rounded to the nearest whole number, with .5 rounded upwards, for the purpose of:

Otherwise, the full calculated value is retained and rounding occurs only after the Playing Handicap calculation.