What is the WHS Course Handicap formula?

Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). The result is rounded to the nearest whole number.

What is Slope Rating?

Slope Rating measures the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer compared to a scratch golfer. It ranges from 55 to 155; 113 is the standard (neutral) slope.

What is Course Rating?

Course Rating is the expected score for a scratch golfer (0.0 Handicap Index) under normal conditions on a specific set of tees. It is usually close to par, often within 2–3 strokes.

Why is the result different from my Handicap Index?

Your Handicap Index is a portable ability measure. The Course Handicap adjusts it for the specific difficulty of the tees you are playing — a harder course yields more strokes, an easier course fewer.

Does this apply to 9-hole rounds?

Yes. Use the 9-hole Handicap Index (half your 18-hole index), the 9-hole slope and course rating for those tees, and set par to the 9-hole par. The formula is identical.

Golf Course Handicap Calculator

Convert your WHS Handicap Index to a Course Handicap using slope rating, course rating, and par.

Your Details

Handicap Index

Range: −10.0 to 54.0

Slope Rating

Range: 55–155. Standard (neutral) slope is 113.

Course Rating

Found on the scorecard for your tees.

Par

Usually 70, 71, or 72 for 18 holes.

Quick Reference

Typical Slope	Difficulty
55–100	Easy
101–120	Moderate
121–135	Challenging
136–155	Very difficult

Summary

The Course Handicap tells you how many strokes you receive on a specific set of tees on a specific course. It differs from your Handicap Index, which is a portable measure of your ability. The WHS formula is: Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating − Par). This tool performs that calculation instantly and shows the math step by step.

How it works

Enter your WHS Handicap Index (e.g. 14.2).
Enter the Slope Rating of the tees you will play (55–155, standard is 113).
Enter the Course Rating for those tees (e.g. 71.4).
Enter the Par for the course (usually 70, 71, or 72).
Click Calculate — your Course Handicap is shown rounded to the nearest whole number.

Use cases

Find your course handicap before a stroke-play round.
Determine strokes received when playing an unfamiliar course.
Compare course handicaps across different sets of tees.
Settle handicap stroke allocation questions before a match.
Teach new golfers how WHS converts a Handicap Index to course strokes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-15 · Reviewed by Nham Vu