Golf is the only sport that allows players of different skill levels to play equally at the same time. Thomas Kincaid first mentioned handicapping in Scotland in 1687. However, golf courses were much different back then, and so was the handicap system. Here is a guide to how it works today, how to calculate yours, and why you should use it.

Handicaps & How to Use Them

A handicap is the number of strokes over par you receive on a standard golf course. This number changes over time as you improve—or worsen. The purpose of the handicap rating system is to allow players of the same level to play with each other. It isn’t as fun if you’re playing against someone who beats you dramatically every time. This system gives new players and experts alike a fair chance of winning against each other.

How to Calculate Yours

New players should play five to 20 18-round games of golf before figuring out your handicap. Once you play these games, average the number of strokes for each round of play. For example, if you took 100 strokes on the golf course five times in a row, then your average is 100 strokes.

Next is the set par for the course. The par is the number of strokes allocated to a course for completion. So, a 72 par course should take 72 strokes to finish. If the player took 100 strokes, they are 28 strokes over par, meaning their handicap is 28.

There is also a handicap differential. The average slope rating—the measure of difficulty for bogey golfers—of a golf course is 113. In the example above, the course has a slope rating of 115, so you would calculate your handicap differential like this: 100 strokes minus 72 strokes equals 28 strokes. Then, multiply by the average of 113, which equals 3,164. Take that number and divide by 115—the course’s actual slope rating—which equals 27.51. Instead of a handicap of 28, you’d have a handicap differential of 27.51.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or a newbie—Hastings Golf Club & Events is the golf course for you.  Located in Dakota County, MN, their course stretches over 6,700 yards and is complete with sand traps, doglegs, and tricky trees. Plus, the event center hosts banquets, weddings, and more. Call (651) 437-4210 to book the space, or visit them online to learn more about the course.