Getting a Golf Handicap
Also known as: how to get a handicap, getting a handicap, establish a handicap, obtain a handicap index, first handicap index, posting scores for a handicap, how many rounds for a handicap
To get a handicap, join a golf club or golf association authorized to issue a World Handicap System Handicap Index, then post your scores. Your national association sets how many holes you need, up to 54. In the USGA system it is 54 holes from any mix of 9- and 18-hole rounds.
Step one is membership. Under the Rules of Handicapping, you need to belong to a golf club affiliated with an authorized association, or be a direct member of an association that acts as your club. Some associations offer a membership that does not require belonging to a course, such as the online eClubs run in the Carolinas. Ask your local or national golf association which options it has. You then name one home club to keep your scoring record. If you belong to several clubs, each needs to know about the others.
Step two is posting. Play under the Rules of Golf and submit each acceptable score as soon as possible, ideally on the day of play and before midnight local time. A late score is not counted in the next day's update. Hole-by-hole entry is strongly recommended. You also give the date and the Course Rating and Slope Rating of the tees you played. In the US, many golfers post through the free GHIN app, on GHIN.com or at a kiosk at the course. You are also expected to certify other players' scores, following your association's procedures.
Step three is reaching the minimum. Each national association sets how many holes a first index needs, never more than 54. In the USGA system it is exactly 54, in any mix of 9- and 18-hole rounds, and the index is issued the day after you get there. While you build those first scores, the most you count on any hole is par plus 5. After that, the cap is net double bogey. The highest index anyone can hold is 54.0, so golfers of any standard can get one. From then on, keep posting every acceptable round so the number stays current.
Tips by skill level
You do not need to be a good golfer to get a handicap. Post honest scores from your first rounds on the day you play, capping bad holes at par plus 5.
Post hole by hole rather than a total, as the Rules of Handicapping strongly recommend. That record also shows which holes and tees cost you the most.
Example
A new golfer joins her state association's online club and gets her login the same week. She plays two 18-hole rounds and two 9-hole rounds, entering each score hole by hole in the GHIN app that evening. That makes 54 holes, and her first index appears the next day.
Why it matters
A handicap lets golfers of different abilities play fair matches and enter most amateur events. Getting one is cheaper and quicker than many beginners expect.
Common mistakes
- Posting only good rounds, which gives an index lower than your real ability
- Not capping bad holes at the maximum score allowed for handicap purposes
- Assuming you need a private club membership to get a handicap
- Forgetting to post 9-hole rounds, which count toward the 54 holes
- Waiting days to post, so the score misses the next update
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a golf handicap?
Join a golf club or association authorized to issue a World Handicap System index, then post your scores. You need scores from up to 54 holes. In the USGA system that is 54 holes from any mix of 9- and 18-hole rounds.
How many rounds do I need to get a handicap?
The World Handicap System lets each national association set the number, up to 54 holes. In the USGA system it is 54 holes, which could be three 18-hole rounds or any mix of 9- and 18-hole rounds.
What is the highest golf handicap you can have?
The maximum Handicap Index under the World Handicap System is 54.0.
What is the maximum score I can post on a hole?
While you are getting your first index, the cap is par plus 5 on each hole. Once you have an index, the cap is net double bogey, which is par plus 2 plus any handicap strokes you get on that hole.
Can I get a handicap without joining a golf course?
Yes. You can join a club affiliated with an authorized association that is not tied to a course, or an association acting as your club. Some state associations in the US run online eClubs for this.
When should I post my golf score?
As soon as possible after the round, ideally the same day before midnight. A score posted later is not included in the next day's update.
Sources
- R&A Rules of Handicapping, Rule 1: Obtaining a Handicap Index (membership of an affiliated club or association; home club)
- R&A Rules of Handicapping, Rule 3: Adjustment of Hole Scores
- R&A Rules of Handicapping, Rule 4: Submission of Scores (timing, format, certification, up to 54 holes for an initial index)
- R&A Rules of Handicapping, Rule 5: Handicap Index Calculation
- USGA: How many scores to get a Handicap Index
- Carolinas Golf Association: Handicap Index (eClub membership; posting through the GHIN app, GHIN.com or a course kiosk)
Related terms
- Handicap IndexA Handicap Index is the World Handicap System (WHS) measure of a golfer's demonstrated playing ability on a neutral course. A lower index means a better player.
- Course Handicap vs Handicap IndexHandicap Index is a portable number representing a golfer's general ability, calculated from past scores. Course handicap converts that same index into the actual number of strokes they receive on a specific course and tee, using that course's slope rating.
- Course Rating vs Slope RatingCourse rating estimates the score a scratch golfer would shoot on a course. Slope rating measures how much harder that same course plays for a bogey golfer relative to a scratch golfer. Together they adjust a handicap for the specific course being played.
- Net Score vs Gross ScoreGross score is the actual number of strokes taken. Net score subtracts a player's course handicap from that total, letting golfers of different skill levels compete on a fair, adjusted basis.
- What Is a Good Score for BeginnersFor most new golfers, shooting 100–120 on a full 18-hole course is normal and respectable. Breaking 100 usually takes months to a couple of years of regular play.
Related guides & benchmarks
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