• Not all golfers are created equal, but you can enjoy a round of golf and even best someone who is more experienced or talented if you play using the handicap system. In golf, a handicap is a numerical value given to a golfer's ability to score in comparison to someone who would score par on a course. The higher a person's handicap, the weaker his abilities and the more stokes he receives per round.
  
  

Handicap Index

• The handicap index is a number that represents a golfer's scoring potential determined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) using calculations based on information provided by the individual golfer. Golfers who are members of a private or public golf course that is sanctioned by the USGA report their round scores to the course--usually by handing in their scorecard--and, after five rounds, are given a handicap. Their official handicap index is determined from the best 10 out of 20 rounds played.
  
  

Course Handicap

• The course handicap tells individual players how many strokes to deduct from their total after a round at a specific course. It is determined by taking a golfer's handicap index and adjusting it based on the difficulty, or "slope" of that particular course and the tees the golfer plays from. Golf courses have the slope for each tee type or color printed on their scorecards, and many provide a chart so players can adjust their handicaps before starting a round.
  
  

Unofficial Handicap

• Golfers who do not belong to a golf course can use free Internet services to self-report and calculate their handicap. A handicap is calculated after self-reporting five rounds, but players can continue to self-report rounds in order to obtain a more accurate handicap. However, the resulting handicap cannot be used for any official USGA-sponsored tournaments or competitions.
  
  

Sandbagger Handicap

• Although not an official type of handicap, every golfer--especially if he is prone to wagering on a round--knows someone who uses a sandbagger handicap. In golf, a "sandbagger" is a person who purposely claims that her handicap is higher than it actually is. This is done to garner accolades for playing a round below her handicap or, more commonly, to best an opponent by making the competition unbalanced in her favor.