How to Determine Your Golf Handicap

Your golf handicap is calculated with a formula that averages how a player should be able to play better than par.

There are two slightly different ways to calculate your handicap which I detail below.

A wide spread belief amongst golfers is that a player's handicap is their average score, when in fact your golf handicap is only the potential of your game. Most golfers play their handicap 25% of the time which is know as playing your "average best". So in a large, handicapped competition, the golfer who shoots the best with respect to his or her abilities and the normal variations of the score should win.

While there are many variations, handicap systems are generally based on calculating an individual player's playing ability from his or her recent history of rounds. Therefore, a handicap is not fixed but is regularly adjusted to increases or decreases in a player's scoring.

A golfer whose handicap is zero is called a "scratch golfer." A golfer whose handicap is 20 is called a "bogey golfer." It is possible to have a handicap below 0; these are referred to as 'plus' handicaps, and at the end of the round, a 'plus' handicap golfer must add his handicap to his score. A professional golfer plays off scratch, but has no actual handicap.

In the United States, handicaps are calculated using the player's most recent game scores, along with the course ratings and slopes from the courses played.

Here's how to calculate your golf handicap.

Step 1. Take the scores from the last five rounds (18 holes each) that you played.

Step 2. Get the rating and slope for each course that you played for each of these five scores. You can find this information on the the course's scorecard.

Step 3. Now subtract the course rating from the score you earned on that course.

Step 4. Then multiply that number by 113.

Step 5. Then simply divide that number by the slope of the course. This number is known as your differential.

Step 6. And last... Take the lowest of your five differentials and multiply it by 0.96, and you'll have your handicap!

Now as you may have figured out from the above, recalculating your handicap every time you play can be time-consuming and annoying. So you may want to look up some great Golf Handicap Tracker software packages that can do all the leg work for you in one single swoop.

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By PJ Powers

Using Software to Track Your Golf Handicap

By John J. Baker

Are you a golfer who is interested in tracking your handicap? Tracking your handicap has a number of benefits. Some track so they have documentation for entering golf tournaments. Others do it simply to track their performance and find ways to improve their golf game. Either way, tracking your handicap can be made much easier and give you more motivation by doing so using online programs or computer software.

Due to the increase in popularity of the sport, there are several online and software options to choose from. They will not only help you determine your numerical handicap but some will even track your scores so you can get your official handicap that can be used for tournament competition. The extent of software features usually depends on the amount you're willing to pay. The more expensive golf programs give you detailed information on your game in spreadsheet format. The simpler programs and online resources will simply provide you with your numerical handicap.

No matter which program you go with, you'll still have to take your record keeping seriously. The handicap number and stats will only benefit you if your record keeping is accurate. Buying a golf program or using online software may be the motivation you need to better track your records.

If you're a casual golfer then constantly knowing your numerical golf handicap may not be that important to your game. However, the tracking of your stats could motivate you to find your handicaps and work on your game. While you may think that just making some better shots shows your improvement, having the numbers to back it up give you some self assurance.

If you'll be using the numerical handicap to enter tournaments then check with the organizers to make sue you use software or online programs that are approved by them. You can also check online for approved tracking software and how to correctly track your handicap for entrance.

Online aids and computer golf programs vary in price but there is surely something to fit your budget. The simpler programs start at just about 10 dollars and programs with more features cost as much as upwards of 100 dollars.

After you've tracked your handicap, there is golf training software that will help you improve your game. So whether you want to know your handicap for tournament entrance or just to improve your game, check out online programs and computer software to assist you.

John Bakers's publications can be encountered on several web publications tied to information on golf vacations Spain and golf package Spain. You might discover his articles on golf holiday in Spain at http://www.alicante-spain.com

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