From Brent Kelley,
Your Guide to Golf.
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Definition: Course handicap is a number that tells golfers how many strokes they are allowed to take during a handicap round, and it is not the same thing as handicap index. In fact, handicap index is used to determine course handicap.

Every golf course should have posted a chart showing course handicaps for players based on their handicap index and the slope of the tees played. For example, the chart may show that a 14.5 handicapper playing tees with a slope of 108 has a course handicap of 13; or playing tees with a slope of 138 has a course handicap of 16.

The course handicap accounts for slope rating and may award extra strokes on a difficult course, or take away strokes on an easier course.

Try our free course handicap calculator.