We constantly get questions about how to calculate your golf handicap. And while you don’t need to dominate the math, it is very useful to understand the formula behind it.
So, I will try to explain it in a very simple way. Keep in mind that the full methodology is very complex and I will simplify it for this article’s purpose. If you want to know the full detail of the methodology, go to USGA Full Handicap Manual.
How to calculate your handicap
The Index is calculated based on the lowest Handicap Differentials you have among your Scores. If you have 20 or more scores uploaded, the lowest 8 out of your last 20 differentials will be the ones counting towards your Index.
Open your TheGrint profile through the website www.thegrint.com and go to Stats (the third icon from top to bottom of the left side banner). Right there you will be able to see all the differentials that are used to calculate your Index (the green columns). Sum those 8 differentials, which are the lowest out of your last 20 scores, and divide that number by 8. That is your Index.
With the new World Handicap System (WHS), you only need a minimum of 3 Scores of 18-holes (it can be a mix of 9-hole scores and 18-hole scores), or 54 holes. So, the more Scores you have uploaded to your TheGrint Account, the more accurate your Handicap Index will be.
The Handicap Differential is: (Adjusted Gross Score – Course Rating ) *113 / Slope Rating
In case you need or want to calculate the Course Handicap for one of your Rounds, this is the new Formula: Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating – Par).
How to calculate the Adjusted Gross Score?
1- If you upload the Score hole-by-hole (or through SPS), the Adjusted Gross Score is calculated automatically using your Course Handicap.
The Adjusted Gross Score is calculated by placing a maximum score per hole of Net Double Bogey.
2- If you upload the Total Score, you will have to calculate the Adjusted Gross Score yourself and input that in the app. Basically, it is the sum of the score of each hole after applying the Net Double Bogey Max.
To find the Net Double Bogey max for each hole use this formula: Par + 2 strokes + any Handicap strokes received on the Hole.
So, what if I don’t have 20 scores posted?
The USGA handicap system also has a table that determines how many rounds to use if you have less than 20 rounds posted. See below:
Is this enough to get a Golf Handicap?
Well, unfortunately, it is not that simple. The USGA requires that there is peer review of golf activities, and rightly so. The reality is that while most golfers behave ethically, not everyone does. And a mathematical formula will only give you back info based on what you put in, so if someone decides to trick the system it will be able to do so unless it is subject to peer review.
Let us know your comments or questions.
Enjoy your golf and hit’em straight!
Michael Constable
I’ve tried many times to Postulate to be Chairman of our group using the Link provided but with no response. Las Vegas TG Golf Club.
TheGrinter
Hi Michael, good afternoon
Sorry we missed this message. We know that it is a very late response, but would you still be interested on becoming the Chairman of Las Vegas TG Golf Club?
If so, you just have to click on Postulate for Chairman Position on your profile in TheGrint.com. Go to “MyUSGA Club” and then click there.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Regards.
r4i gold 3ds xl
r4i gold 3ds xl…
This is genuinely great to know. I hope it will be profitable in the future. Great job on this and hold up the very good perform….
TheGrinter
Thank you!
We appreciate your feedback!
Micki Marias
I’m elderly with physical limitations. My husband and I normally play only nine holes. How can I get an accurate handicape when we only play 18 holes occasionally?
TheGrinter
Hi Micki, good afternoon,
If you usually play 9-holes, you get a 9-hole Handicap. But if you want an 18-hole Handicap, what you can do is combine the 9-hole Scores to make them 18-holes and get an 18-hole Handicap.
The Combine Tool is on the Website, under the Scores Tab.
You can contact us directly through e-mail at contactus@thegrint.com if you have any questions.
calvin waller
the club i am playing at is asking for a number so they can look up my handicap.
do we have this ablility with the grint?
TheGrinter
Hi Calvin, good afternoon. We apologize for the late response.
We do not offer a Handicap Number or ID #. What we offer is the Handicap Card which you can print from the Website or show it through the App. It shows your Handicap index and the Club providing the USGA Compliant Handicap.
Regards.
Joe Higdon
Hello! What is a GHIN number and does the grint have one? I need it for a tournament. Thanks!
TheGrinter
Hi Joe, good afternoon,
Thank you for contacting us.
We would be happy to help you out.
We actually do not provide a GHIN #. GHIN and TheGrint are two different Handicap providers and we do not work together.
Just so you know, many tournaments organizers don’t know the UGSA handicap system and require GHIN to participate in a golf tournament. Not even USGA sanctioned tournaments required GHIN, only a compliant handicap. We don’t provide GHIN number because that is a different handicap tracker tool.
Handicaps are issued by USGA complaints club, not GHIN or USGA. We have created USGA clubs nationwide to comply with the USGA handicap system, and those handicaps provided by TheGrint are just as official as GHIN (but obviously we provide much more information).
Everyone should and have to accept your Handicap Index as long as it is USGA Compliant of course. They can’t reject you because you don’t have a GHIN #.
To get your handicap card, go to the “My USGA Club” section on your website profile and print it, and then show it to the Tournament Organizer. You can also show it through your app.
In the handicap card is reflected the name of the USGA licensed club who is issuing your handicap. They can check this information if they want in the USGA licensed club listing on the USGA website (Here: . But they must accept your handicap card provided by TheGrint if the club you are assigned within the system is already compliant.
Any question or comment please let us know.
Matt
Why can’t i find myself in the usga handicap lookup? I’ve posted 6 rounds and and recieved my first official handicap number on the 15th. By the way, this app is great and super easy to use.
TheGrinter
Hi Matt, good afternoon,
Thank you for contacting us.
We would be happy to help you out.
Please send us an e-mail to contactus@thegrint.com with your Username and we will help you out.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
I just posted a score. How do I know what I’m trending? I assume my trend today will equal my revised handicap on 6/1?
Juan
hi guys, great application.
I need to know how to reset my handicap??
I haven’t use for a year this app and the index that i have is old and not what it has to be.
Hope to hear about you soon
Juan
TheGrinter
Hi Juan, good morning,
Thank you for contacting us.
We apologize for the late response.
Handicaps are calculated using the lowest 10 Handicap Differentials out of your last 20 Scores uploaded. Meaning that if you already have 20 or more scores from this year, your Handicap is pretty much updated to this year’s scores.
If we reset your Handicap to whatever you want to have it at now, as soon as you pass a Handicap revision (every 1st and 15th of every Month) your Handicap will update to what you have as your Trending Handicap.
E-mail us to contactus@thegrint.com if you want to change your Handicap.
Regards,
Jason Clark
How do I revise my handicap, step 4 of establishing the handicap. There is nowhere, that I see, where I can revise it.
Jjcopeland7
What is “NH” for a 9 hole handicap?
TheGrinter
Hi James, good morning,
We apologize for the late response.
N.H means No Handicap. However, we checked your Account and you have a Compliant Handicap. 9-holes & 18-holes. Everything looks correct now.
You can e-mail us to contactus@thegrint.com if you have any questions.
Regards.
Charles
?? The Grint showed me as NH. Also it appears as not all my posted scores are accepted,,, Why is this?
I do,have a active GHIN number and Hdcp with another group. Is it possible for The Grint to use my GHIN number, so I do not have to post scores twice?
TheGrinter
Hi Charles, good afternoon.
Your Handicap is still NH because you Joined and uploaded all of your Scores on 6/21, after the Handicap Revision passed.
As soon as you pass a Handicap Revision (Every 1st and 15th of every Month), your Handicap will update to whatever you have as your Trending Handicap, which is 25 right now.
For the next Hdcp Revision, only the lowest 6 of all of the scores you have uploaded will count towards your Handicap. The more scores you upload, the more will count towards your Handicap. When you get to 20 or more scores, only the lowest 10 Hdcp Differentials out of your last 20 Scores will count towards your Handicap. All of this, following the USGA regulations.
Regarding GHIN, there is no way of linking or synching both accounts as we are both Handicap Providers and we do not work together. Therefore, unfortunately, you would have to upload your Scores on both accounts separately.
If you have any other questions, you can e-mail us to contactus@thegrint.com
Regards.
Jack
Why does one of my scores on my Handicap card have a star next to it?
TheGrinter
Hi Jack, good afternoon.
On the Handicap Card the * means that that score is the one counting towards your Handicap.
Handicaps are calculated using the Lowest Hdcp Differentials. If you have 20 or more scores, the Hdcp uses the Lowest 10 Hdcp Differentials out of your last 20 Scores.
Hopefully this helps.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Regards.
Thomas J Reilly
I am filling out a tournament entry form and it asks for a GHIN #. Not sure what this or where to fine the requested number. Can you direct me to this information?
TheGrinter
Hi Thomas, good morning,
We apologize for the late response.
We actually do not provide a GHIN #. GHIN and TheGrint are two different Handicap providers and we do not work together.
Everyone should/have to accept your Handicap Index as long as it is USGA Compliant of course. They can’t reject you because you don’t have a GHIN#, unless they are asking for a GHIN # and NOT for a USGA Compliant Handicap.
You can send them your USGA Handicap Card showing them your USGA Club Name & Handicap Index. And they can verify the Club Compliance on the USGA Website )
To get your handicap card, go to the “My USGA Club” section on your website profile and print it, and then show it to the Tournament Organizer. You can also show it through your app.
Just so you know, there is a misconception about GHIN as the “official” handicap issuer. Many tournaments organizers don’t know the UGSA handicap system and require GHIN to participate in a golf tournament. Not even USGA sanctioned tournaments required GHIN, only a compliant handicap. We don’t provide GHIN number because that is a different handicap tracker tool.
Handicaps are issued by USGA complaints club, not GHIN or USGA. We have created USGA clubs nationwide to comply with the USGA handicap system, and those handicaps provided by TheGrint are just as official as GHIN (but obviously we provide much more information).
In the handicap card is reflected the name of the USGA licensed club who is issuing your handicap. They can check this information if they want in the USGA licensed club listing on the USGA website. But they must accept your handicap card provided by TheGrint if the club you are assigned within the system is already compliant.
Any question or comment please let us know.
We are here to help.
Regards,
Ed Arbaugh
How can I get my handicap back now that I am a pro member and all my data is still there?
Erik Meyers
I recently upgraded my membership to pro and my handicap card says NH. Will I ever get a handicap?
Linda
Before knowing about the calculation, at first, we need to be clear about the handicap. To play competitively together, players of different skills felt the need for a golf handicap and then they were first introduced to handicap over 100 years ago! As you point out Accurate Handicap depends on our practice & what we should do for this. your article helped me a lot to know about this. Thanks for sharing this top-notch content on this article. It will encourage new golfers to play more effectively and gain potential results from it. I would like to be here again to find another masterpiece article.
Danny Jolley
Hi, i have a NH on both 9 and 18 Handicap, what does that mean?
Thanks
Danny Jolley
stephen goulden
I have posted scores since early April- more than 20. But i still don’t have a daily revision. So no Index? I thought there was a revision on the first and fifteenth of each month?
Andrew
What is a handicap daily revision? That seems to be all I am missing to get rid of my estimated handicap.
will
Is there a way to change your handicap? It’s currently saying Handicap Index is 2 but I also have an “NH” beside all the score cards. I haven’t uploaded anything to the app yet either.
Kauila
My HANDICAP IS NOT YET USGA COMPLIANT
In order to be compliant I must have a least one handicap daily revision.
What does this mean and how do I get this?
Thank-you