Golf Score and Handicap Calculator

Golf scoring is built around par, the number of strokes an expert player is expected to take on each hole or across the full round. Understanding scoring terminology and the mathematics of handicaps transforms the game from confusing numbers into a clear picture of performance.

Scoring terminology relative to par:

• Eagle = 2 strokes under par on a hole (e.g., 3 on a par-5)
• Birdie = 1 stroke under par (e.g., 3 on a par-4)
• Par = the standard score for a hole
• Bogey = 1 stroke over par
• Double Bogey = 2 over par
• Triple Bogey = 3 over par

Course par formula: Course Par = Σ(Par for each of the 18 holes) Typical 18-hole course par: 70, 71, or 72.

• Par-3 holes: 3 shots expected, typically under 250 yards
• Par-4 holes: 4 shots expected, typically 251–470 yards
• Par-5 holes: 5 shots expected, typically 471 yards and up

Score relative to par: Score to Par = Gross Score − Course Par A score of 79 on a par-72 course = +7 (7 over par)

Handicap formulas: Score Differential = (Gross Score − Course Rating) × 113 ÷ Slope Rating Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par) Net Score = Gross Score − Course Handicap

• Handicap Index is your portable measure of ability across different courses (lower is better).
• Slope Rating is the difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer against a scratch golfer. Average slope is 113.
• Course Rating is the expected score for a scratch golfer on that specific course.

That (Course Rating − Par) term at the end matters more than it looks. On a course rated 70.5 with a par of 72, the scratch golfer is expected to beat par by a stroke and a half, so everybody’s course handicap drops by 1.5. Leave the term out and you hand every player one and a half strokes they have not earned.

Worked example: Golfer shoots 88 on a par-72 course (slope 125, rating 70.5). Handicap Index = 14.2. Course Handicap = 14.2 × (125 ÷ 113) + (70.5 − 72) = 15.71 − 1.5 = 14.21, which rounds to 14 Net Score = 88 − 14 = 74, two over par net.

One round is not a handicap. What this page gives you from a single score is that round’s Score Differential, plus what your index would be if every round looked like this one. A real Handicap Index averages the lowest 8 differentials from your last 20 rounds, which is what the golf handicap calculator does.

Stableford scoring (alternative format): Points are awarded per hole: Eagle=4, Birdie=3, Par=2, Bogey=1, Double Bogey=0. Higher score wins (opposite of stroke play). Used in many recreational tournaments.