Use the calculator by mode
Use the calculator's three modes to compare a score with par, calculate round statistics, or estimate a handicap index from entered rounds. Each result includes a formula line and a detailed table.
- Score vs Par: enter par and strokes hole by hole.
- Round Statistics: enter totals for one round.
- Handicap Index Estimate: enter score, course rating, and slope rating for multiple rounds.
Calculate score relative to par
- Choose 9 holes or 18 holes with Holes to enter.
- Enter a whole-number par from 3 through 6 for each displayed hole, then enter strokes. Leave strokes blank to skip a hole.
- Select Calculate. At least one hole must have strokes entered.
The result sums the entered holes and uses Total strokes − Total par. It shows total par, total strokes, holes entered, and the relative score. The table labels -2 as Eagle, -1 as Birdie, 0 as Even (E), +1 as Bogey, and +2 as Double bogey; other differences appear as signed numbers. Reset clears the result and restores 18 holes.
Calculate round statistics
Enter Holes played, Course par, Total strokes, Total putts, Fairways possible, Fairways hit, and Greens in regulation hit. Penalty strokes (optional) is also recorded.
Fairways possible starts at 14 but can be set to 0. With 0 possible fairways, Fairway% is shown as n/a. Penalty strokes appear in the result but do not change score relative to par, strokes per hole, GIR%, fairway%, or putts per hole.
Select Calculate to see score relative to par, putts per hole, non-putting strokes, GIR%, fairway%, strokes per hole, and penalty strokes. The calculator checks each field's range, that putts do not exceed strokes, and that fairways hit and GIR hit do not exceed their possible totals. Reset clears the totals and restores the default holes, par, and fairways possible.
Estimate a handicap index
- Choose WHS-style estimate or Simple average of all entered differentials from Handicap-system assumption.
- Complete each round with a whole-number score of 50 or more, a course rating from 55 through 80 (decimals allowed), and a whole-number slope rating from 55 through 155. Use Add round for more rows and each row's Remove round control to delete one.
- Enter at least three complete rounds, select the manual confirmation checkbox, and choose Calculate estimate.
Completely blank handicap rows are skipped. For each completed round, the differential is (Score − Course rating) × 113 ÷ Slope rating. The WHS-style estimate sorts the entered differentials, uses its configured low-round table (with a lookup capped at 20 rounds), applies its configured adjustment, and multiplies the selected average by 0.96. Simple average of all entered differentials uses every entered differential, with no low-round adjustment, before multiplying by 0.96. The result lists the rounds, differentials, selected assumption, adjustment, and estimate. Reset removes the rows, clears confirmation, and restores three round rows.
Review formulas and displayed outputs
Score relative to par = Total strokes − Total parPutts per hole = Total putts ÷ Holes playedGIR% = (Greens in regulation hit ÷ Holes played) × 100Fairway% = (Fairways hit ÷ Fairways possible) × 100Non-putting strokes = Total strokes − Total puttsandStrokes per hole = Total strokes ÷ Holes played
After calculation, each mode shows headline statistics, the formula or formulas used, and a detailed result table containing the relevant inputs and derived values.
Validate inputs and understand limitations
Validation limits belong to each mode. Score vs Par requires a par from 3 through 6, whole-number strokes of 1 or more, and at least one entered hole. Round Statistics accepts holes played from 1 through 18, course par from 27 through 90, total strokes from the holes played value through 300, total putts from 0 through 200, fairways possible from 0 through 18, penalty strokes from 0 through 50, and hit totals that do not exceed their possible totals.
The handicap result is an unofficial estimate. The calculator does not look up course rating or slope, submit scores, certify a handicap, or apply a specific club or national authority's complete rules. The ranges above are this calculator's configured validation limits, not an explanation of an external standard.
The calculator values are processed locally in the browser. This statement applies to the calculation inputs; the page also includes a separate newsletter form that submits an email address to /assets/subscribe.php.
Copy or download a result
After calculating, select Copy result or Download result (.txt). The download is plain text with the mode's inputs, formulas, and calculated values. If copying fails, the tool displays Could not copy - select and copy manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is score relative to par calculated?
Score relative to par = Total strokes minus Total par. Enter the par and your strokes for each hole; the calculator sums both and shows the difference. Named labels are used for the implemented Eagle, Birdie, Even (E), Bogey, and Double bogey results; other differences are shown numerically.
Is the handicap index shown by this tool official?
No. It is a locally-computed, unofficial estimate using simplified handicap-differential math. It is not submitted to or verified by any club, tour, or association, does not certify eligibility for handicap-based competition, and does not replace your club or national handicap authority's official system.
Does this tool look up my course's rating and slope automatically?
No. It does not access any course database. Enter the course rating and slope rating yourself for each round; the calculator performs the arithmetic on those numbers.
What does the manual confirmation checkbox in the handicap mode do?
It requires you to confirm that you have reviewed your local club or handicap authority's actual rules before Calculate estimate will show a result. The tool uses a simplified formula rather than any specific organization's official system.