World Handicap System (WHS, 2020) calculator: auto-computes Score Differential, Handicap Index, and Course Handicap from your accumulated rounds. Korean Golf Association (KGA) runs WHS in Korea.
| Rounds | Best N | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | −2.0 |
| 4 | 1 | −1.0 |
| 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | 2 | −1.0 |
| 7–8 | 2 | 0 |
| 9–11 | 3 | 0 |
| 12–14 | 4 | 0 |
| 15–16 | 5 | 0 |
| 17–18 | 6 | 0 |
| 19 | 7 | 0 |
| 20+ | 8 | 0 |
| +5 to 0 | Pro / semi-pro |
| 1 to 9 | Single-digit (Korean advanced) |
| 10 to 18 | Bogey player (intermediate) |
| 19 to 36 | Beginner / intermediate |
| 37 to 54 | Korean entry-level |
This South Korea–friendly reference calculator follows the WHS (World Handicap System, 2020) standards from USGA, R&A and the Korean Golf Association (KGA). The Handicap Index produced here is an unofficial personal estimate and is not equivalent to a Korean KGA-issued Handicap Index, which requires registered Korean course rounds and KGA system entry. This tool does not promote any Korean course, equipment, lesson, or travel product and is unaffiliated with KGA, USGA or R&A. Round data is saved only in your browser (localStorage) and never uploaded to any server; clearing browser data will remove it. For Korean rule disputes or official handicap, contact KGA (02-3398-9999) or your home Korean club committee.
The World Handicap System (WHS) was jointly developed by USGA and R&A and rolled out worldwide in January 2020. The Korean Golf Association (KGA) runs WHS in Korea. The core formula — Score Differential (SD) = (Adjusted Score − Course Rating) × 113 / Slope Rating — normalises courses by difficulty (Slope Rating, baseline 113). Handicap Index = average of the lowest 8 SDs in the last 20 rounds. Adjusted Score caps each hole at Net Double Bogey (par + 2 + handicap strokes). Maximum HI is 54.0 for men and women.
No. Official Korean HI requires KGA-registered course rounds entered in the Korean KGA system. This is an unofficial personal estimator.
WHS allows a provisional HI from 3 rounds, but accuracy is low. 20+ rounds give a stable HI. Korean 3–5 rounds get −2.0 to −1.0 adjustments to be conservative.
On the Korean course scorecard or via KGA / the Korean course's site. Course Rating is the scratch golfer's expected score; Slope Rating measures Korean course difficulty (55–155, base 113).
The maximum hole score that counts: par + 2 + your handicap strokes. Even a 9 on a par-4 with 1 handicap stroke caps at 4+2+1=7 — limiting blow-up holes for HI stability.
Varies, but with 1 weekly round + practice, ~5–10 points per 6 months is realistic. Korean single-digit (HI ≤ 9) typically takes 5–10+ years.
Yes — WHS allows '+HI' (plus handicap). −2 to −5 is typical pro level; −8 or lower is world-class. The plus sign indicates better than scratch.
Golf Handicap Index (HI) is the global golf-skill standard set by the World Handicap System (WHS, 2020) co-developed by USGA and R&A; the Korean Golf Association (KGA, kgagolf.or.kr) runs WHS in Korea. This calculator stores rounds (score, Course Rating, Slope Rating, Par) and auto-computes Score Differential (SD = (Adjusted Score − Course Rating) × 113 / Slope Rating). It then derives the Handicap Index from the WHS round-count table — 3 rounds: 1 best −2.0; 4: 1 best −1.0; 5: 1 best; 6: 2 best −1.0; 7–8: 2; 9–11: 3; 12–14: 4; 15–16: 5; 17–18: 6; 19: 7; 20+: 8 — with a maximum HI of 54.0 (raised under WHS 2020, same for men and women). Course Handicap (CH) = HI × (Slope / 113) + (Course Rating − Par). Korean handicap tiers: +5 to 0 pro/semi-pro, 1–9 Korean single-digit, 10–18 bogey player, 19–36 beginner/intermediate, 37–54 entry-level. This calculator is an unofficial personal estimator — official Korean HI requires registered KGA courses and KGA system entry. Round data is stored only in your browser via localStorage and never uploaded. For official Korean HI issuance, contact KGA (02-3398-9999) or your home Korean club committee.