Golf Handicaps:�A Level Playing Field

March 2025

What is a Handicap?

• Measure of a golfer's potential ability
• Calculates scores relative to course difficulty and conditions
• Levels out competition playing field

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Why should I have one?

• Track your progress
• Play in local and national events
• Play in competitive league or Stableford

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How is your handicap calculated?

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Handicap Calculation

Your handicap measures how well you play on average when you are having a “good” round.

• It is the average of your lowest 8 rounds you’ve played out of the last 20 - adjusted for par/course difficulty.
• If you have any 9-hole rounds these count as full rounds under the new handicap system
• Your Handicap Index is based on the scorecard

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Reading a Scorecard

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Par

The expected score for a scratch (Handicap Index of 0) golfer

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Course Difficulty - Slope/Rating

Each course is assigned a slope and rating to normalize scores from different courses�

Course Rating - the first number:

The average score for a scratch golfer on this course (e.g. a handicap of 0)

Slope - the second number:

The difficulty of the course for a higher handicap golfer (average course has a rating of 113)

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Course Handicap

Your Course Handicap: number over par expected to score for the specific course and set of tees.

Handicap used is determined by the the scorecard.*

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope/113) + (Course Rating - Par)

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* May be adjusted in tournaments. Tournament will provide numbers.

Hole Handicaps

The Handicap Row ranks the holes from hardest to easiest for the average player:

In this example, #11 is hardest and #7 is easiest for all back tees. #3 is easiest for front tees

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Keeping Your Handicap

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Don’t have a GHIN?

Sign up through the chapter!

• https://chapters.lpgaamateurs.com/chapter-news/NEOM#2025-ghin-registration

If you have previously had a handicap, your data will transfer over

• If you have had multiple different handicap numbers, please specify which one you want transferred

If you have GHIN through another organization, then you don’t need to sign up through our chapter, you can use that GHIN everywhere

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GHIN

USGA GHIN (Golf Handicap & Information Network) is the handicap system used for keeping your handicap.

You can enter your scores on:

• Mobile App
• Website

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Other app features

• Course Handicap calculator
• Stats by various slices
• Looking up other golfers

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Resources

To correct a score: handicaplpgaamateursomaha@gmail.com

GHIN site: GHIN.COM | USGA's Golf Handicap Information Network

Omaha Chapter handicap info: Omaha

USGA Handicap guide: 2024 Player Reference Guide

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