Getting a U.S. Golf Association certified handicap allows a player to compete with golfers at all skill levels in tournaments or individual games. Golf is a game that requires precision and resolve. Establishing a certified handicap opens the action by giving you more opportunities to compete. Start recording your game differentials. Differentials calculations require a USGA formula using the course rating, slope index and your stroke score. Once you have a proper number of differentials scores, you can submit them and get a certified handicap.
Step 1
Join a golf club or an online organization that works to record golf scores for the purpose of handicapping. There are a number of online sources that, for a fee, will provide software or an Internet format for recording and scoring your handicap. There must be an official USGA affiliate involved in recording.
Step 2
Identify the course rating and slope index on the course scorecard for each game you play. Subtract the course rating from your game score.
Step 3
Multiple the sum of the first equation by 113 and divide that number by the slope rating. For instance, a score of 80 nets a differential score of 18.8 if the course rating is 70 and the slope index is 60.
Step 4
Record the scores of 20 rounds and calculate the differentials. Most clubs or organizations have a set number of rounds that must be scored before you qualify for a handicap. With 20 scored rounds, you select the lowest 10 differentials to use toward your handicap score and create an average. Add the 10 scores and divide by 10 to determine the differential average.
Step 5
Calculate the handicap index. Multiple the differential average by 0.96. If your differential average is 18.8, your handicap index would be 18.5.
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