World Handicap System (WHS) - What is it all about and what does it mean to me?
What is the new World Handicap System?
The World Handicap System (WHS) will become live on 2nd November 2020 and will replace the current handicapping system.
The new handicap system (WHS) is designed to:
Attract more players to the game
Make handicapping easier to understand
Give all golfers a Handicap Index (instead of a handicap) that is transferable from course to course worldwide.
It has replaced traditional handicaps and this means:
No more 0.1 added to your handicap after a poor round
Handicaps will no longer be reduced by 0.3, 0.4 etc when you have a good round
No more buffer zones in competitions
No requirement to put in ALL your scorecards
So what is a Handicap Index?
Your Handicap Index will be exact e.g. 14.6, 15.7 and will be calculated using the average of your best 8 scores from your last 20 qualifying rounds. Don’t worry new software will do the calculations for you. The Intelligent Golf App (igMember) is available free to all club members and can be downloaded from the App store or Google Play store using these links.
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/igmember/id1125323374
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.intelligentgolf.igapp_android
Each time a new qualifying score is submitted, your Handicap Index will update overnight and will be ready before the next time you play.
When the new system starts on 2nd November, every golfer will be given a Handicap Index. This is used to look up a Course Handicap that you will use when playing. In the case of a competition, the Course Handicap will be used to look up a Playing Handicap.
What is a Course Handicap?
Before you start your round you must convert your exact Handicap Index into a rounded Course Handicap. The Course Handicap will determine the number of strokes you will receive from the set of tees you have chosen.
England Golf has provided Course & Slope Rating tables to all golf clubs. These tables will be positioned close to the Pro Shop to make it simple for you to find your course handicap. Click the links below to see the tables.
White tees Yellow Tees Red Tees
What is a Playing Handicap?
A Playing handicap is used for authorised competition purposes only.
The Playing Handicap is a stroke allowance (in percentages). For example, a Stableford Competition results in you having a stroke allowance of 95% of your course handicap. (This is very much the same as you used to do with a handicap and then apply a handicap allowance such as 90% in 4BBB rounds).
However, tables will be available to calculate your playing handicap should you need to work it out prior to play.
How has the World Handicap System been applied?
Every course has been rated with a course rating for each set of tees from which a slope rating has been determined.
At Saltburn, the course and slope ratings are in the table below and will also be printed on the scorecards for reference. The Slope Rating is the number which indicates the relative playing difficulty of a course for bogey golfers, compared to scratch golfers from the same set of tees. The Slope Rating is also gender specific. The Slope Rating is a key component in calculating the number of strokes you will receive to play a particular golf course. Each set of tees will have a Slope Rating value between 55 and 155.
At Saltburn Golf Club our Course and Slope ratings are:
Summary
The above may seem complicated. You need to remember:
Know your Handicap Index – use the Intelligent Golf App/System or available list
Convert your Handicap Index into a Course Handicap using the available tables
Check the Competition Details to find out playing handicap allowances
Play your round
Submit your Score
Check your Handicap Index the following morning – or before you next play.
Any questions or queries, contact the Handicap Committee
For anyone who wants to know more : -
Useful WHS Questions
How do I maintain a handicap index?
What are the main changes in WHS?
Other WHS Information from England Golf