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Can anyone get a golf handicap?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Jan 23, 2026

How do I get a handicap? Golf handicaps can only be issued by a golf club that is affiliated with a Golf Union. A player must play a minimum of three 18-hole rounds of golf and submit these to be calculated by the golf club.

How can a non member get a golf handicap?

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To subscribe to iGolf, independent golfers should head to to pay their subscription, download the 'My EG' app and start entering verifiable scores to obtain a handicap index.

How can I get a handicap in golf?

As of January 2020, you must submit three 18-holes scores to obtain a handicap index. This can be made from a combination of 9-hole and 18-hole rounds; the handicap index will be revised at the beginning and mid of every month (1st and 15th). This change requires that you submit only three 18-hole scores.

Can I buy a golf handicap?

For the first time ever, golfers in England can, from today, obtain an official handicap without having to join a golf club. England Golf has unveiled iGolf, which offers non-club golfers in England an opportunity to obtain and maintain an official World Handicap System (WHS) handicap index.

How do you get your first handicap in golf?

To obtain a Handicap Index you need to play and record scores from a total of 54 holes. This can be from any combination of 9 or 18-hole rounds (for example, 3 x 18 holes, 6 x 9 holes etc). Each scorecard must say it is 'for handicap' and show your name, the date and the gross score for each hole.

20 related questions found

Can I get a golf handicap without joining a club?

Currently, only golfers that are members of affiliated golf clubs are able to access an official handicap, though the governing body confirmed in February that it will launch a platform where non-members can gain official handicaps.

How do I get a UK handicap?

In order to be allocated a CONGU handicap you have to be a member of a Golf Club or another organisation that is affiliated to one of the eight aforementioned Unions/Associations. Then you must submit a number of cards, completing 54 holes.

Can I get a handicap online?

The Golfshake online golf handicap service provides a free, quick and easy way for non club members, non competitive golfers & group/society golfers to easily know their golf handicap and compete against other golfers on a level playing field in what makes this game so great.

How do I get a golf handicap online UK?

To subscribe to iGolf, golfers should log on to to get started, pay their subscription, download the My EG app and start entering verifiable scores to obtain a handicap index.

What is the lowest handicap in golf?

Handicap systems are not generally used in professional golf. A golfer whose handicap is zero is referred to as a scratch golfer, and one whose handicap is approximately 18 as a bogey golfer.

What is the average golf handicap?

1. The average handicap index for men is 14.2. 2. The average handicap index for women is 27.5.

What is a good handicap in golf?

What Is A Good Golf Handicap? A good golf handicap is ten or less. With a handicap index of ten or less, you will generally shoot somewhere around 82. Shooing in the low 80s is better than average but certainly not good enough to be considered a scratch player.

How do I determine my handicap?

This is calculated by taking the difference of the Gross score and the Course Rating (similar to the old SSS) off the yellow tees for each card. For example, three scores of 88, 90 and 95 on a course with a CR of 72 will result in an initial handicap of (16+18+23) 57 divided by 3 = 19.

What's the highest handicap in golf?

Rules of Handicapping FAQs

A. The maximum Handicap Index is 54.0 for all players.

Whats a scratch golfer?

A scratch player essentially is one who can manage every aspect of their game, consistently, and can plot their way around the golf course hitting the right shots at the right time. A Scratch golfer will very rarely hit two bad shots in a row and has the mindset to recover rapidly from setbacks in a positive way.

Can you microwave a golf ball?

Yes, you too can get greater distance on your shots in just seconds - The Microwave Way. Merely pop a golf ball into your microwave oven - and voila! This juiced-up dimpled dumpling surprisingly flies farther than the ball pros use.

Is 10 a good handicap?

Moderate and High Handicaps

If a golfer has a handicap between 10 and 18, she is a skilled player with a moderate handicap. Basically, a handicap of 10 means the player consistently shoots 10 strokes higher than the difficulty rating of the courses she plays regularly.

Is a 8 handicap good?

In this case, your golf handicap is described as a “plus.” If you were one better than scratch, you would have a “+1 golf handicap.” To give you some perspective, the top players on the PGA tour have golf handicaps in the +8 range. We can all agree that's a good golf handicap!

What is a 10 handicap in golf?

When a 10-handicapper describes a course as "a tough test," he generally is referring to a layout with a Course Rating of 72.0 or higher. On a course with a 72.0 rating, a 10-handicapper will score, on average, 82 to 88.

What's a good golf score on 9 holes?

What is a good golf score for 9 holes? A good golf score for 9 holes for the average adult is 45 and considered to be bogey golf. Consider this idea: the average 9 hole score at the turn is 40-70. Scoring below 40 after 9 holes is usually left up to the professional golfers we see every Thursday Sunday on TV.

What was Tigers lowest handicap?

Tiger Woods was a 2-handicapper at the age of 11. He became a scratch golfer at the age of 13. That means his handicap was zero at that point.

What handicap can you turn pro?

The majority of top golf professionals played to handicaps of +4 to +6 before entering the professional ranks. Some current pros still hold active handicaps, and these serve to highlight how much better than “scratch” they really are.

Do golf pros have handicaps?

Can Pros Get a Handicap? Yes, a pro golfer can technically obtain their own handicap index in the same way as an amateur golfer would. You can also use the World Handicap System's Course Handicap Calculator, as provided by England Golf, which is as follows: Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) = Course Handicap.

Is a 7 handicap good?

Congratulations. As a 7-handicap, you're in the top 21 percent of male golfers—top 3 percent for females—according to the United States Golf Association. A professional career isn't happening anytime soon, but you should be proud of the level you've attained.

Who has the lowest golf score?

The lowest officially recorded round is 55 by Rhein Gibson (12 birdies and two eagles on a par 71) on May 12, 2012 at River Oaks Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma. This score is recognized by the Guinness World Records.