Golf Handicap FAQ: What is ...

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA to eliminate the effect of "distaster holes." You know, that one hole per round where you put three balls in the water and then 5-putt. It's also a way to combat those pernicious sandbaggers who intentionally blow up on a hole in order to raise their handicaps.

Equitable Stroke Control puts a limit on the number of strokes you can write down on the scorecard for any one hole, based on your course handicap. For example, on that one disaster hole you might have taken 14 strokes (get to the practice range, buddy!) to get the ball in the cup. But based on your course handicap, ESC might require you to post only a "7" on the scorecard you turn in.

Taking the "14" might throw your handicap index out of whack. And remember, the handicap index is not meant to reflect your average score, it's meant to reflect your best potential.

To determine the Equitable Stroke Control limits for your round, you must first know your course handicap. Once you've determined your course handicap, you can check the chart down below (which should also be available at golf courses) to determine the ESC limits.

Of course, if you have not yet established a handicap index, then you can't determine a course handicap. And without a course handicap, you can't determine ESC. But in order to established a handicap index, you must turn in adjusted gross scores, which requires knowing a course handicap. What gives?

Don't worry, the USGA knows what to do. If you do not yet have a handicap index, then use the maximum allowable handicaps to determine course handicap and ESC. For men, that means using 36.4 as a handicap index, and for women, 40.4.

Here is the chart that shows Equitable Stroke Control limits:

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Golf Handicap FAQ

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Golf Handicap FAQ: How is H...

A golf handicap calculation can be achieved most easily by using our nifty, free handicap index calculator.

But you want the nuts and bolts of the golf handicap calculation, don't you? You want to know the math of the golf handicap calculation. OK, you asked for it, you got it.

Golf Handicap Calculation - Step 1
A minimum of five scores and a maximum of 20 is required to get started. Remember, when posting scores for handicaps, you must your adjusted gross scores. For each score, the USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating for the courses played are also required. Using those figures, calculate the handicap differential for each round entered using this formula:

(Score - Course Rating) x 113 / Slope Rating

For example, let's say the score is 85, the course rating 72.2, the slope 131. The formula would be (85 - 72.2) x 113 / 131.

This differential is calculated for each round entered.

(Note: The number 113 represents the slope rating of a golf course of average difficulty, as set by the USGA.)

Golf Handicap Calculation - Step 2
Figure out how many differentials are being used. Not every differential that results from Step 1 will be used in the next step. If only five rounds are entered, only the lowest differential will be used. If 20 rounds are entered, only the 10 lowest differentials are used. A chart at the bottom of this page shows how many differentials are used based on the number of rounds entered.

Golf Handicap Calculation - Step 3
Get an average of the differentials used by adding them together and dividing by the number used (i.e., if five differentials are used, add them up and divide by five).

Multiply the result by .96 (96-percent). Drop all the digits after the tenths (do not round off) and the result is handicap index.

Thankfully, you don't have to do the golf handicap calculation on your own. Your golf club's handicap committee will handle it for you. You can also use our free handicap index calculator - give it a try!

And here's that chart we promised:

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Golf Handicap Calculator - Free Golf Handicap Calculator

Golf Handicap Calculator

This free golf handicap calculator gives you an idea of what your USGA Handicap Index would be if you carried an official handicap. This golf handicap calculator is not affiliated with the USGA, and the result is not an official USGA Handicap Index. This is for informational purposes only, in other words. See also the course handicap calculator, and consult our golf handicap FAQ and golf rules FAQ for more info. If you have questions about handicaps or rules, post them in the golf forum.

Another Golf Handicap Calculator:
• Calculate Course Handicap

Related Resources
• Golf Handicap FAQ
• Golf Rules FAQ
• More Golf FAQs
• The Rules of Golf

Also See:
• Golf Glossary
• Golf Instruction Videos
• Golf Cars

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