Can someone explain to be what a handicap is in golf?

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the handicap is a number that in a nutshell, tells you how good you are compared to other golfers. Think of it like a ranking in basketball. Number 1 generally wins more than number 22, etc. Lower handicap golfers generally score better than higher ones. That's where the similarities end. handicap is a number of strokes, but your index is a decimal. I say 4 handicap, but in reality my index is 4.4. Some courses i'm a 3 handicap, others i'm a 5.

The handicap allows golfers of different abilities to play against each other in a level match. For example, if an 18 handicap golfer played against a 1 handicap or a +2 handicap, he'd get obliterated. The handicap system helps this. In layman's terms when the 1 and 18 play, the 1 handicapper must "give" the 18 handicapper 17 strokes in the match. Depending on the type of play, this can be done by hole, by 9, or by total score. The holes on which the 18 handicapper gets strokes should correspond to the handicap rating of that hole, starting on 1 and going to 17. Obviously there is only one hole that he would not get a stroke advantage on. All this being said, if the 18 handicapper shoots 88 and the 1 handicapper shoots 73, the 18 handicapper would win. 88-17= 71.

The handicap is the strokes allowed vs. par. If someone is a + handicap, that means that they have to give 2 strokes to par. Basically they are capable of consistently beating par by 2 strokes. If they shoot 69 gross, they shoot 71 net. To put that in perspective, pros are +3 to +6 handicaps or better.


Here's where it gets hairy: to calculate the handicap, the USGA has a special formula:

((Score - course rating) x 113 ) / slope = handicap differential


the score applied is after equitable stroke control. To calculate a proper handicap index, you should use ideally the best 10 of your last 20 scores. However if you don't have 20 scores, you use 1 of your last 5/6, 2 of 7/8, 3 of 9/10, 4 of 11/12, 5 of 13/14 etc.

you lower your handicap by shooting better than your handicap on a given course, or bettering one of your best 10 scores....Show more

Cody, handicap in golf is a calculated score including the lowest numbers that give you your golf position in ranking. Like a 10 handicap or 1 handicap (near professional). Go on line and find US rules on handicap estimates.
Spartawo......Show more

The easiest way to learn golf like a pro is by following "The Simple Golf Swing" program. It's primarily a 31 page eBook that teaches golfers how to make solid contact with the ball, how to avoid hitting fat, how to avoid slicing, how get more power, accuracy, and consistency in your swing. Consistency being the number 1 golf skill.

You not only get the eBook though, you also receive a ton of extra material including video, lessons on putting, driving, chipping, sand play etc. Here is their official site: http://www.golfswingguru.net...Show more

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Handicap-System-Manual/Handicap-Manual/ And there you have it....Show more