For the past few years, “An extensive review of existing handicap systems administered by Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the United States Golf Association (USGA) has been undertaken.” (The R&A)
“More than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries presently have a handicap, a numerical index long used as a measure of a golfer’s potential skill level. Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world. The aim of the proposed handicap system is to adopt a universal set of principles and procedures that will apply all over the world.” (The R&A)
And now there is movement towards the World Handicap System.
The first to make a move, albeit a small one, was CONGU. They decided now is the time to start changes to their handicap system to get ahead of the curve. There is much more to the following and if you want more check out the article at CONGU.
Changes to the CONGU UHS System have recently been announced. In view of the proposed introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS) these changes have been kept to a minimum and take into account some of the options likely to be adopted in the WHS, principal of which is to encourage players to submit more scores to their handicap record. CONGU
As of yet, Golf Canada remains firm with their 2016 changes to the handicap system played in Canada. I am not sure if it is because it is the middle of winter or that they are waiting for more to develop before moving towards the World Handicap System. I think their approach is prudent, but I would like them to release something more than their 12 July 2017 survey on the feelings of Canadian golfers.
I have sent an email to Golf Canada asking for an update and when I get their response I will update this happenings of the World Handicap System.
If anyone has any update on the World Handicap System, I am all ears!
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I’m all for WHS . The only way to get rid of sandbaggers or bandits is to have prizes based on gross score. If they don’t award vouchers or money for net scores then that will solve the problem. You can still have a handicap to monitor your progress but for club competitions only give prizes based on gross score.
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Mark
You have a very good point about removing net scores. In the big scheme of things, it should not make any difference for the players. I have played in events when I shot 12 strokes better than the person winning a net prize. Does not seem fair and I can see your point. I am sure that players with a high handicap would not support your view. An interesting discussion though.
Cheers
Jim
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I guess my thought on this is “no big deal.” I’m fine with a world handicap system if everyone can agree on the rules. It was weird that the USGA said no single rounds but anyone can still log on to http://www.GHIN.com and enter as many single rounds as they like. Anyone can raise their handicap by 10 strokes in a matter of 10 minutes. Until they fix that so we don’t have sandbagging in tournaments, all the small changes don’t really matter. Just my take. Kinda harsh but I have played in way too many tournaments with sandbaggers in tournaments.
brian
http://www.dailygolffix.com
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Brian
Thanks for your comment. It is difficult to play in tournaments when players are not honest about their ability. I personally do not see the value. I think that a universal handicap system might be a good thing. We shall see.
Cheers
Jim
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