What is Handicap & How to Calculate Clubs in Golf by World Handicap System

Handicap Golf is a term used to express the level of golfer. Accordingly, the lower the Handicap score, the higher the level of golfer and vice versa. Let's learn how to calculate Handicap Index accurately according to WHS standards in the article below!

1. What is Handicap Golf?

Handicap or "double," is an indicator used to assess a player's golf skills. The higher the handicap, the lower the level of golf.  

How does Handicap Golf count?

• Handicap is calculated based on the number of strokes a player uses to complete a round of golf compared to that golf course's "Par" (Par is the standard number of strokes a player needs to complete a hole or round of golf).
• A player's handicap is regularly updated, based on the most recent rounds of golf they have played.

  The Handicap Golf system allows players to have different abilities, have a chance to compete fairly with each other.

• For example, if a golfer has a Handicap 20, plays with a golfer with a Handicap 10 in one game, the golfer with a Handicap 20 will receive an advantage in terms of the number of strokes used more, to ensure a fair game. The number of strokes will be calculated by the Handicap difference between the two players.

Some countries have organizations that are responsible for managing and updating the Handicap Golf system.  

In Vietnam, there is vHandicap, which is the Handicap calculation system for Vietnamese golfers. However, to start calculating Handicap scores through the vHandicap system, you need to register and become a member of the Vietnam Golf Association.

2. How much is a handicap good? How to View Golfer's Qualifications by Handicap Score

The Handicap score = 0 is best. To determine the level of the golfer through the Handicap score, there are 4 landmarks you need to know below:

• Handicap = 0: Called Scratch Golfer. These are professional golfers with excellent qualifications.
• Handicap < 10: Called Single Handicap or Low Handicapper. These are high-level golfers and often only need a few more strokes than Par.
• Handicap from 10 to 20: It's called Mid Handicapper. It is the most popular group consisting of experienced players and regular golfers.
• Handicap > 21: Called High Handicapper (up to 36 for men and 40 for women in some systems. Maximum 54 with Word Handicap System). This is a group of beginners, inexperienced players.

3. Introduction of standard World Handicap System

In 2020, the new World Handicap Golf (WHS) system was implemented, combining many previous Handicap systems from around the world, creating a uniform global standard, helping to assess and adjust the level of the golfer. The system has been agreed and supported by the world's top six golf management organizations.  

WHS is based on Course Rating (course rating) and Slope Rating (course difficulty) to adjust a golfer's Handicap Index while playing on different golf courses, called Course Handicap.  

With WHS, a golfer can bring his or her Handicap to play at any golf course in the world and can adjust Handicap based on the specific difficulty of that course. This system has made it easier and fairer to compare and compete among golfers from around the world.

4. The current exact calculation of Handicap in Golf

To calculate Handicap Index according to WHS standards, follow these 3 steps:

Step 1: Adjusted Gross Score (AGS) according to Net Double Bogey

Part 1: Calculate Net Double Bogey

In which, Net Double Bogey is the par number of the hole plus 2 and plus any Stroke Index Adjustment of the player on that hole.  

Net Double Bogey = Par of the hole + 2 + Stroke Index Adjustment  

To calculate the Stroke Index Adjustment per hole, you will rely on Course Handicap and Stroke Index (index indicating the relative difficulty of each golf hole) according to the rule:

• If Stroke Index < or = Course Handicap: player receives 1 stroke of acceptance
• If Stroke Index > Course Handicap: player gets 0 under par

Note that the new golfers will be counted as 1 stroke across all golf holes, as there is no Course Handicap (no Handicap Index) For example, players with Course Handicap of 15, play on a golf course with 3 first holes as follows:  

Pits	Par	Stroke Index	Number of sticks	Net Double Bogey
1	4	5	1	7
2	3	18	0	5
3	5	1	1	8

At hole 1, because of the Stroke Index (=4) < Course Handicap (=15), players will receive a penalty kick at hole 1. In the formula, Net Double Bogey = 4 + 2 + 1 = 7. The remaining holes are calculated similarly.  

Part 2: Adjust Gross Score per Hole according to Net Double Bogey

On any golf hole, if the number of strokes you use (the Gross Score raw score) is larger than Net Double Bogey, you need to adjust your score on that hole down to Net Double Bogey.  

Continue to give an example to players with Course Handicap in the upper part, with the number of strokes completed in 3 holes as follows:  

Pits	Par	Net Double Bogey	Raw Score	Adjustment score
1	4	7	8 (greater than Net Double Bogey)	7
2	3	5	4 (less than Net Double Bogey)	4
3	5	8	9 (greater than Net Double Bogey)	8

  Part 3: Adjusted Gross Score (AGS)

Add up all adjusted raw scores on each hole to calculate the Adjusted Gross Score.  

Step 2: Calculate Score Differential Computational formula Score

Differential = (AGS – Course Rating – PCC Adjustment) / Slope Rating x 113  

In it:

• Course Rating: Number of strokes that Scratch Golfers (HDC=0) need to make to complete the round in normal conditions
• Bogey Rating: Number of strokes that Bogey Golfer (Men's HDC=20, Women's HDC=24) needs to make to complete the round in normal conditions
• Slope Rating: The index shows the level of difficulty of the course compared to Scratch Golfers and Bogey Golfers. Slope is usually between 55 and 155. A yard with standard difficulty will have Slope Rating =113
• PCC Adjustment (Playing Conditions Calculation Adjustment): A value between -1 and +3, which is used to adjust scores when playing conditions differ significantly from normal conditions. The PCC Adjustment value will =0 under normal conditions.

Step 3: How Handicap Index is calculated by the lowest Score Differential This Handicap calculation of WHS is more flexible than the old Handicap calculation system. Golfers only need to play at least 3 rounds of 18 holes or 6 rounds of 9 holes, instead of the 5 rounds of 18 holes previously, specifically:  

The last number of rounds	Score Differential	Adjustment point (Adjustment)
3	Select 1 Best Differential	-2.0
4	Select 1 Best Differential	-1.0
5	Select 1 Best Differential	0
6	Mean 2 Best Differential	-1.0
7-8	Mean 2 Best Differential	0
9-11	Mean 3 Best Differential	0
12-14	Mean 4 Best Differential	0
15-16	Mean 5 Best Differential	0
17-18	Mean 6 Best Differential	0
19	Mean 7 Best Differential	0
20	Mean 8 Best Differential	0

  Choose the best Score Differential (lowest score) in the last 3 – 20 rounds according to the table above. Then, Handicap Index is equal to the average of the best Score Differentials and adds the adjustment point (if any) (Source: R&A Rule 5)  

Handicap Index = Average of Best Differential Score + Adjustment Score (Adjustment)   With WHS' Handicap calculation system, the Handicap Index score will be updated as soon as the round is completed and Golfers do not need to wait for updates on the 1st and 15th of every month under the old system.  

With the Handicap Index, you will be able to calculate the Course Handicap when playing on different golf courses. Unique women's golf pants for individual style. Explore the collection!

5. Highlight how to lower the Handicap score for Golfers

Lowering the Handicap Golf score means improving the technique and level of the golfer. Not only new players, long-time golfers are always interested and training to take down their Handicap.

5.1. Use appropriate golf club set and accessories

The first thing to note is to equip yourself with a set of golf clubs and appropriate accessories. Stick types should be selected according to the level, fitness, and the specifications of the stick should be paid attention to.  

If you're new to the game, Golfers choose a basic set for beginners and test the bat before you buy it. You can easily choose from expert advice or at professional golf club shops/supermarkets.  

Golf accessories are also important to support players as much as possible on their journey to conquer the golf course. Recommended for some accessories you should choose a high-quality and full-featured one such as:  

• Waterproof Golf Gloves
• Golf ball
• Golf distance meter
• Putting tapestry
• Grips.

5.2. Regular Exercise & Continuous Evaluation to Improve Skills

The one thing Golfers always have to remember and put first is to practice regular hits and follow-up evaluations. This is what determines each player's progress over the same period of time.  

Many golfers, especially beginners, often focus on batting far away without forgetting basic skills such as putting and Chipping. These hits usually account for the majority of strokes in a round and require more practice.  

After each round or practice session, take time to assess the proportion of hits and errors encountered. This helps you identify skills that need to be improved. You can also train with a professional coach or golfer to improve faster.

5.3. Play on various golf courses

Each golf course will have a different topographical design. Playing on many real-world terrain will help players gain practical experience, good reading and field topography judgment, helping to improve batting skills when playing.  

The above is a compilation of information on Handicap Golf as well as the standard score calculation that is currently being applied. Golfer is at any level and is interested in how to take down Handicap, upgrade your baton set suitable for practice as well as participate in official tournaments. This allows you to contact various players, learn experience and tactics from better golfers.

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