How to calculate a golf handicap

A golf handicap is calcuated using an average of the three rounds a player submits. 

If a player has completed 18 holes in 77, 83, and 89 strokes, their average score would be 83 (77 + 83 + 89 = 249 / 3 = 83).

The standard scratch score (SSS) - the number of shots a "scratch" golfer is expected to take over 18 holes - for the course is then deducted from the average strokes taken. If the SSS is 70, the player would be allocated a starting handicap of 13 (83 – 70 = 13).

Another important thing to note is that if an official handicap reads .5, the handicap goes up. For example, if the player's handicap is 14.5, the handicap is 15.