SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/golf-whs-handicap-index
Once a scoring record has at least 20 Score Differentials, how does the World Handicap System calculate a Handicap Index?
It uses the average of the best 8 of your latest 20 score differentials.
- Average of last 3 scores
- Average of best 8 of last 20 score differentials ✔
- Average of every score this year
Why: With at least 20 Score Differentials, WHS averages the lowest 8 of the most recent 20, subject to its adjustment safeguards.
Huh, didn't know that: A Score Differential at least 7.0 strokes better than the player's Handicap Index at the time counts as an exceptional score.
My handicap is like my phone battery. It drops after an hour of heavy use.
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References
Answer: Average of best 8 of last 20 score differentials. With at least 20 Score Differentials, WHS averages the lowest 8 of the most recent 20, subject to its adjustment safeguards.
- The R&A, Rules of Handicapping, Rule 5 www.randa.org/en/roh/the-rules-of-handicapping/rule-5
If a scoring record contains at least 20 Score Differentials, the procedure for calculating a Handicap Index is:
Checked 2026-10-12. - The R&A, Rules of Handicapping, Rule 5 www.randa.org/en/roh/the-rules-of-handicapping/rule-5
Average the lowest 8 of the most recent 20 Score Differentials
Checked 2026-10-12. - The R&A, Rules of Handicapping, Definitions www.randa.org/en/roh/definitions
A Score Differential which is at least 7.0 strokes better than the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round was played
Checked 2026-10-12.
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