Golf Canada recently announced revisions to the world handicap system. I am still trying to determine if these changes are worth the paper they are written on; to be fair, it does need some reviewing and I will delve deeper into the changes over the next few months. For now, here is what Golf Canada released:
https://www.golfcanada.ca/articles/the-ra-and-usga-announce-2024-world-handicap-system-revisions/(St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, NJ, USA) – The R&A and the USGA today announced the first update to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) as part of an ongoing review of the Rules of Handicapping™ and Course Rating System™ with a continued emphasis on accuracy, consistency and equity. The latest revisions will go into effect January 17, 2024.
Significant updates to the WHS include:
- Inclusion of Shorter-Length Golf Courses Within the Course Rating System: The overall length requirements for Course Rating in the WHS will be significantly reduced. A set of tees on an 18-hole course may be as short as 1,500 yards [1,370 metres] to be eligible for a Course Rating and Slope Rating®, and a set of tees on a 9-hole course may be as short as 750 yards [685 metres]. This change is intended to expand the WHS to thousands of shorter length courses, including par-3 courses, and enable more golfers to obtain and use a Handicap Index.
- Use of an Expected Score for a Hole Not Played: Improvements have been made to the method used to handle holes not played, which will now be based on a player’s expected score rather than a score of net par. This new method will produce a 9-hole or 18-hole Score Differential that more accurately reflects a player’s ability. As golfers across the world are playing more 9-hole rounds, an expected score can also be used to convert a 9-hole round into an 18-hole Score Differential. For some countries, this means that 9-hole scores will be considered in the calculation of a player’s Handicap Index immediately after the day of play, rather than waiting to combine with another 9-hole score.
- Playing Conditions Calculation Adjustments Made More Frequent: The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) has been modified to increase the likelihood of an adjustment for abnormal playing conditions. National associations were given discretion, beginning in July 2022, to introduce this revision within their computation platforms, which will be complete by 1 April 2024.
- Enhanced Guidance on Conducting a Handicap Review: The role of the Handicap Committee is vital to the success of the WHS and the Rules recommend that a Handicap Review is conducted regularly, or at least once a year to ensure a Handicap Index® remains reflective of a player’s ability. New reporting tools have been developed that national associations can incorporate into their handicapping software to assist Committees in conducting the review process effectively and consistently.
There is more to the article released by Golf Canada. I only included the talking points at this time. The changes, on the surface, appear to address some of the system challenges dating back to 2020 and might be better for the game. We shall see. As I said, more to follow in the upcoming months.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
Not sure whether those proposals will do much more than allow a few more people to get a handicap. But that by itself seems like a good reason to make them.
But I think Anonymous is right. Sort of. I mean he’s wrong to think he should score net par on a harder course he doesn’t know. Handicaps aren’t meant for that. But he’s right that the problem comes from the mix you post.
I’m an example of the opposite. The home course where I play 86% of my rounds don’t count towards handicap because the course doesn’t have a slope/rating assigned. So all my rounds posted for handicap come from rounds played away.
And that means it doesn’t reflect my ability, it refects my ability to play a new course. A subtle maybe, but not inconsiderable difference. And one that gives me a 5-7 shot advantage over someone who’s handicap is comprised mainly from rounds on their home course.
Two extremes. Almost mirror images mathematically. It’s a flaw these changes might help with but won’t solve for me. I assume my issue must stem from course management not budgeting for a tech from the PGA to come out and analyze the course.
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Kevin,
There are many potential challenges to the new handicap system. The problem you described is the same one I face; my home course does not subscribe to Golf Canada, therefore I cannot enter my multitude of scores I shoot during every given year. I am not sure there is an answer for that. I used a handicap app this year that allowed me to enter my scores from my home course, my handicap was about the same all around, however I feel much more confident playing my home course than any new one.
Cheers Jim
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I play the front 9 at my local course often and I post my scores to the Golf Canada app. Two front 9 scores are often combined to give me an 18 hole score/differential.
But I think those 9 holes are rated harder than they actually are. So I think my handicap has become artificially low. My index certainly doesn’t travel well. It really puts me at a disadvantage when I go to out of town tourneys with others who post scores from legitimately hard courses.
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What you have described is a universal problem. The challenge of building a one size fits all program is very daunting. I am not sure a there is a 100% solution. As in most cases, 80% correct will have to suffice.
Cheers Jim
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