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Need a handicap for a golf day?

Need a handicap for a golf day but don’t have an official one? No Bandits estimates what you should play off using your recent scores.

· Updated · 2 min read


If you don’t have an official handicap but need one for a golf day, No Bandits works out what you should be playing off based on your recent scores.

We call the result your No Bandits General Play Handicap — a sensible number for informal golf, golf days, society and corporate events, calculated from how you’ve actually been playing.

The calculator is free. You don’t need to join a golf club, create an official handicap or open an account to use it. No complicated maths. No pretending you’re better than you are. Just a sensible number for the day.

How it works

Tell us about your recent rounds — where you played, which tees, roughly what you shot. No Bandits uses those scores, adjusted for course and tee difficulty, to estimate a sensible playing range and recommend what you should play off.

Enter 3 or more rounds and confirm your scores are accurate and your result earns No Bandits Verified status — our way of saying there’s a decent body of evidence behind the number.

If you want something to show the organiser, you can download a No Bandits Verified Handicap Certificate for £1. It shows your name, your number, the rounds behind it and a QR code so the organiser can check the certificate online. Entirely optional — the handicap calculation itself stays free.

Can I use this for a corporate or society golf day?

Yes. No Bandits is designed for exactly this kind of situation — when you need a reasonable handicap for a golf day but don’t have an official handicap index. There’s more detail in our guide to corporate golf day handicaps.

Is this an official golf handicap?

No. A No Bandits General Play Handicap is an estimate for informal golf days, society days and similar events. It does not replace an official WHS Handicap Index — and the £1 certificate doesn’t make it one.

What if I’ve only played a few rounds?

That’s fine. Give us the best information you have — even one recent round gets you a starting point. The more recent rounds you enter, the more confident we can be in the estimate. If you’re unsure where to start, read what handicap you should play off.

Organising the golf day itself?

If you’re the one herding the golfers rather than just playing, our complete guide to how to organise a golf day covers courses, tee times, formats, teams, prizes and a full planning checklist.

Common questions

Do I need an official handicap for a golf day?
Not always. Many corporate, charity and society days simply need a sensible handicap so players of different standards can compete fairly. Check with the organiser.
How does No Bandits estimate my handicap?
It uses your recent scores together with the course and tee ratings you played, then adjusts the confidence and playing range based on how many rounds you enter.
Is No Bandits free?
Yes. The golf-day handicap calculator is free to use and needs no account. The optional downloadable No Bandits Verified Handicap Certificate costs £1.
What is No Bandits Verified?
Enter at least 3 rounds and confirm your scores are accurate to the best of your knowledge, and your result earns No Bandits Verified status. It means there’s a minimum body of playing evidence behind the number — not that anyone independently witnessed the rounds.