iGolf, a part of England Golf, is the only authorised provider of a Handicap Index® under the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) in England. Making iGolf the only way to obtain a Handicap Index® for non-club members.
What is a Handicap Index®?
A Handicap Index® is a number that represents a golfer’s demonstrated playing ability. It’s designed to level the playing field, so golfers of different standards can compete fairly against each other.
Rather than being based on your average score, it’s calculated from your best 8 score differentials out of your most recent 20 rounds – so it reflects your true potential, not an occasional bad round.
Key Points
- Levels the playing field - golfers of all abilities can compete on equal terms.
- Measures potential, not average score- a lower number means a stronger player
- Updates automatically as new acceptable scores are submitted
- Portable - use your Handicap Index globally on any golf course with a valid course and slope rating
How Does a Golf Handicap Work?
A Handicap Index® is typically expressed as a single number (e.g., 10.4 or 18.2). This number indicates the number of strokes over par a golfer is expected to shoot during a round on a standard golf course.
Examples:
| Handicap Index | Skill Level | Expected Performance |
| 0 (Scratch Golfer) | Excellent | Plays at par or better. |
| 10 | Skilled | -10 strokes over par |
| 18 | Average | -18 strokes over par |
What is the World Handicap System™?
Why was it introduced? The World Handicap System was created to give every golfer a single, consistent method of handicapping. This replaced national systems which made comparing ability across countries difficult.
How does it create consistency? It uses a standardised calculation method, including Course Rating™, Slope Rating® and Score Differential™ to ensure fairness across different courses and conditions, anywhere in the world.
Who does it apply to? Anyone maintaining a Handicap Index® through an authorised handicapping body operating under the World Handicap System™ – whether that’s through club membership or, for non-cub golfers in England, through iGolf.
Why Have a Handicap Index?
Track Your Progress
Measure your improvement over time using a recognised system.
Play With Confidence
Know where your game stands when playing new courses.
View Your Scoring History
Have a structured record of your playing performance.
How is a Handicap Applied in Play?
When competing, handicaps adjust a golfer’s score, making the match fairer:
- In stroke play, the golfer subtracts their playing handicap from their total score at the end of the round.
- In match play, playing handicaps are used on a hole-by-hole basis, with the weaker player receiving strokes on the hardest holes.
For example, if Player A has a playing handicap of 5 and Player B has a playing handicap of 20, Player B would receive one stroke on the 15 most difficult holes, as indicated by the stroke index on the scorecard.
How to Calculate a Golf Handicap
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01
Step 1: Adjusted Gross Score
Your score is adjusted to exclude unusually high scores on any single hole, ensuring your handicap reflects your true ability.
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Step 2: Course Rating and Slope Rating
- Course Rating: Measures the difficulty of a course for a scratch golfer.
- Slope Rating: Indicates how challenging a course is for a bogey golfer relative to a scratch golfer.
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Step 3: Best Scores Count
The system uses the best 8 scores from your most recent 20 rounds to calculate your handicap. When you have fewer than 20 acceptable scores, your Handicap Index is calculated using a different scale based on the number of scores submitted.
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Step 4: Handicap Index
The final number represents your handicap, adjusted for the difficulty of courses played.
How to Get a Handicap
Step 1: Understand the Handicap System
Golf handicaps are calculated using the WHS™, a global system that:
- Considers your recent scores.
- Accounts for the difficulty of courses played.
- Ensures consistent standards worldwide.
Step 2: Join a Handicap Provider
Choose a pathway that suits your needs:
- Golf Club Membership: By joining an affiliated golf club you will be able to obtain a Handicap Index®.
- Non-Club Memberships (e.g. iGolf): If you’re not a member of a club, iGolf offers a way to obtain a Handicap Index® under the WHS™ without the commitment of club membership.
Step 3: Submit Your Scores
To establish your initial handicap, you must:
- Record scores from at least 54 holes (e.g., three 18-hole rounds or six 9-hole rounds).
- Follow the Rules of Golf and play under applicable handicap conditions.
Step 4: Use Digital Tools
iGolf makes it easy to maintain your Handicap Index® via the MyEG app :
- Log your scores digitally.
- The system calculates and updates your Handicap Index® automatically.
Step 5: Track and Maintain Your Handicap
Your handicap evolves as you play and log rounds. The WHS™ uses your best 8 scores from your most recent 20 rounds to ensure your handicap reflects your current ability.
Read more on how to get a golf handicap for non members
The Difference Between Free Golf Handicaps and a Handicap Index® under the WHS™
Golfers who want to track their handicap but aren’t members of a golf club often seek free ways to calculate it. While free golf handicap calculators are available and can give you a rough estimate, they lack the accuracy, recognition, and credibility of an official Handicap Index® under the World Handicap System™.
They aren’t recognised for competitions, aren’t backed by the WHS and don’t apply real course and slope ratings. An official Handicap Index is the only version valid for competitive play and recognised across affiliated clubs worldwide.
Learn more in our blog about free golf handicaps.
Get Your Official Handicap Index® with iGolf
- Official Handicap Index®, recognised under the WHS
- Public Liability Insurance included
- Track everything in the MyEG app
Frequently Asked Questions
No. iGolf provides a route for eligible golfers to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index® under the WHS without club membership.
54 holes – any combination of 9 or 18 hole rounds. Your calculation develops as you add scores; once you have 20 acceptable scores, its based on the best 8.
Once you’ve submitted your 54 holes, it’s calculated that day and accessible the next.
Automatically, at midnight on the day of play, following each acceptable score.
Yes, your Handicap Index® is portable and recognised globally under the WHS, adjusting automatically to the difficulty of the course you’re playing (rated courses only)
£47 per year, including your Handicap Index® and public liability insurance.