The Rules of The USGA Handicap System identify that your USGA Handicap Index is a measure of your potential ability, not your average ability. You are only expected to play to your Handicap 20% of the time.
Your index is computed using a differential which is computed as follows: (ESC Adjusted Gross Score – USGA Course Rating) X 113 / Slope Rating. This takes into account the difficulty of the golf course for both the scratch and bogey level golfer. Par is an irrelevant value because it is only a recommended arbitrary number based on the length of the hole, not its difficulty.
Your target score is the Course Rating + your Course Handicap, so if the course rating is 69.6 and your index converts to a course handicap of 16, then your target score would be 86. If you were playing a more difficult course where the course rating was 73.2 and your index now computed to a course handicap of 18, then your target score would be 91.
Your Course Handicap is calculated using your Handicap Index and converting it based on the slope rating of the course. Course Handicap = (Handicap Index X 113) / Slope Rating
