Calculate your Golf Handicap
A golf handicap is a way of measuring a golfer's playing ability, and is used to allow player's of different skill levels to compete fairly against each other. The only way to establish an official handicap is through one of golf's governing bodies (the USGA in the United States & Mexico, and the R&A in other parts of the world). Golf Frontier provides you with an alternative way of calculating a handicap, which can then be used in friendly competitions. Golf Frontier currently supports the following handicapping systems:
- United States Handicap Calculation (based on USGA GHIN Calculation)
- United Kingdom Handicap Calculation (based on R&A's CONGU formula)
- Australian Handicap Calculation (based on AGU's Golf Australia formula)
This walkthrough describes how to configure your account to use a specific calculation, as well as providing a detailed explanation of each handicap calculation. You must sign up with Golf Frontier in order to take advantage of our handicap tracking functionality, fortunately there is never a fee!
Part 1: Choosing a Handicap System
When you first register with Golf Frontier, by default you are assigned the Handicap System that is in general use for the country you are located in. This option can be changed by editing your profile information (from the Home Menu, choose View Profile and click the Edit Profile option at the top of the page).
Choose a Handicap System
If you also have an existing GHIN or CONGU number, then you can also enter it into the space provided. For GHIN numbers, you can then use the GHIN Connect link option from your dashboard to view your USGA handicap directly from the GHIN website.
Part 2: United States Handicap Calculation
Golf Frontier will automatically calculate your current handicap based on the following process:
For each posted stroke play score on a course with a valid Course Rating and Slope (or the last 20 scores if there are more than 20 posted scores) a Handicap Differential is calculated using the following formula:
((Total Score - Course Rating) * 113.0) / Slope
A Sample Size is then established based on the number of scores posted:
- 1-6 scores posted: 1
- 7-8 scores posted: 2
- 9-10 scores posted: 3
- 11-12 scores posted: 4
- 13-14 scores posted: 5
- 15-16 scores posted: 6
- 17 scores posted: 7
- 18 scores posted: 8
- 19 scores posted: 9
- 20 scores posted: 10
The Lowest Handicap Differential(s) for all scores in the Sample Size are then summed and divided by the Sample Size. The result is multiplied by a factor of 0.96 (Bonus for Excellence!) and rounded to 1 decimal place.
Handicap is automatically recalculated every time a score is added/updated. Once you have posted scores, you can then check your handicap online, using the Handicap menu option from the My Game Menu.
United States Handicap Calculation
New! Golf Frontier handles 9-hole scores just like the USGA calculation. As long as there are 9 hole course rating and slope values, a 9 hole score will be paired with another 9 hole score and included in the calculation. This pairing will continue to be part of the calculation until the most recent 9 hole score is older than the 20 newest 18 hole scores. 9 hole scores are always combined in the order they are received, and not necessarily by date.
Part 3: United Kingdom Handicap Calculation
Golf Frontier will automatically calculate your current handicap based on the following process:
A minimum of three 18 hole scores must be posted before an initial handicap can be assigned. By default new users are assigned a default handicap of 18.4
For each 18 hole stroke play score posted on a course with a valid Standard Scratch Score (SSS), a Gross Score is calculated using the following formula:
Gross Score = (No Of Strokes - Standard Scratch Score for Tee)
The first three gross scores are then summed and the average is the golfer's intial handicap.
The golfer is then placed into one of 4 golfing categories using their initial handicap:
| Category | Handicap Range | Buffer Zone | Reduction Per Shot | Increase Per Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.1 - 5.4 | +1 | -0.1 | -0.1 |
| 2 | 5.5 - 12.4 | +2 | -0.2 | -0.1 |
| 3 | 12.5 - 20.4 | +3 | -0.3 | -0.1 |
| 4 | 20.5 - 28.4 | +4 | -0.4 | -0.1 |
The following occurs for each additional score that is posted:
- Determine the Gross Score for That Round.
- Determine the category the golfer falls into based on current handicap
- If Gross Score is greater than Golfers Category Buffer Zone then simply add 0.1 to Golfers Handicap
- If Gross Score is between 0 and the Buffer Zone, then the handicap is unchanged.
- If Gross score is negative then for each shot less than 0, the Golfers Handicap is reduced by the amount specified in the Reduction Per Shot column for the Golfer's current category.
Handicap is automatically recalculated every time a score is added/updated. Once you have posted scores, you can then check your handicap online, using the Handicap menu option from the My Game Menu.
United Kingdom Handicap Calculation
New! Golf Frontier can bet configured to start a new handicap calculation at the start of each season. This functionality is available by Editing your profile and making sure that the "Restart Handicap Each Year" box is checked.
Part 4: Australian Handicap Calculation
In April of 2010, the Golf Australia Handicap system changed dramatically from the traditional CONGU style rolling average, to a policy that is in line with the USGA Handicap Calculation. The new rules are described in detail here.
Curiously, the Australian Golf handicap calculation does not take into account Equitable Stroke Control, so there is no concept of an adjusted score.
For each posted stroke play score on a course with a valid Course Rating and Slope (or the last 20 scores if there are more than 20 posted scores) a Handicap Differential is calculated using the following formula:
((Total Score - Australia Course Rating)
A Sample Size is then established based on the number of scores posted (A minimum of 3 scores are needed to obtain a vaild handicap):
- 3-6 scores posted: 1
- 7-8 scores posted: 2
- 9-10 scores posted: 3
- 11-12 scores posted: 4
- 13-14 scores posted: 5
- 15-16 scores posted: 6
- 17 scores posted: 7
- 18 scores posted: 8
- 19 scores posted: 9
- 20 scores posted: 10
The Lowest Handicap Differential(s) for all scores in the Sample Size are then summed and divided by the Sample Size. The result is multiplied by a factor of 0.96 (Bonus for Excellence!) and rounded to 1 decimal place.
Handicap is automatically recalculated every time a score is added/updated. Once you have posted scores, you can then check your handicap online, using the Handicap menu option from the My Game Menu.
Australia Handicap Calculation
