Aug 28, 2025
Two years ago, I started a blog to share my thoughts on A.I. and the business of golf. What began as opinion pieces quickly grew into something bigger. As I wrote, I realized I was sitting on something far more valuable than just ideas: nearly two decades of hole-by-hole golf league data.
That discovery changed everything. Instead of simply talking about innovation in golf, I had the opportunity to build it—by using that data to create something the game had never seen before: an A.I.-driven, machine-learned score prediction and handicap formula.
Unlike traditional handicaps, which are often blunt and biased, our formula is designed to be accurate, precise, and fair for every golfer. At Handicomp, we’ve spent the past several years building, testing, and now deploying this system—and it’s already transforming how players and leagues approach the game.
How the A.I. Formula Works
For those new to this concept, here’s a quick breakdown of how the system operates:
- Data In, Smarter Out – A golfer submits their hole-by-hole scores. The more rounds they provide, the sharper the predictions become.
- 95 Variables in Play – The model accounts for nearly a hundred factors, from player history to the specific tees played.
- Hole-by-Hole Predictions – The engine generates expected scores for each hole, specific to the course and tee.
- Tee Handicap Calculation – The formula compares predictions against par to deliver an unbiased, data-driven handicap.
Real Adoption, Real Success
This isn’t theory anymore—it’s already in use. Dozens of golf leagues have adopted our A.I. formula as their official handicap system, and many of their players now rely on it for recreational rounds as well.
Golf is a sport steeped in tradition, so introducing a new way to measure performance could have been met with skepticism. Instead, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Players see the value in a system that treats them fairly and reflects their true game more accurately than legacy methods ever could.
What’s Next for the Blog
Now that GolfHandicap.ai is live and in play, it’s time to restart this blog with a new focus. From here forward, I’ll be using this space to educate both golf administrators and players about how the A.I. formula works, why it matters, and how it can elevate their experience of the game.
This is just the beginning. If you’re a league manager, a competitive golfer, or simply someone who loves the game, you’ll find insights here on how data and A.I. are reshaping golf in ways that were impossible only a few years ago.
Stu Healey, President