“The purpose of the World Handicap System (WHS) is to make the game of golf more enjoyable for golfers by providing a consistent means of measuring one’s performance and progress and to enable golfers of differing abilities to compete, or play a casual round, with anyone else on a fair and equal basis.” This system of equalization has evolved over the years and in Canada the current system is the sole purview of Golf Canada. If you are not a member you cannot establish an ‘official handicap’. If this is the case, then what is the purpose of having the golf handicap system?
Continue readingWorld Handicap System
PSA: Revisions To The World Handicap System
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!
Do You Have A Travelling Handicap Index?
During a recent conversation on Twitter with my friends Serge and Andre, we stumbled on a great topic. Actually, Andre is the person who first brought up his desire to lower his traveling handicap and that sparked a thought. I have spent years touting the benefits of creating a handicap index through Golf Canada and supporting your local golf course. I still adamantly support this view, but I wonder how solid my handicap index really is if I record 98% of my rounds on my home course!
Continue readingPlaying To My Handicap Put Into The Finals Of The Stroke Match Play Tournament
I made it to the finals of the Osprey Links Stroke Match Play Club Championship. It is the first for me to make it this far. In the past I usually lost in the semi or quarter finals. But not this year; this year I made it to the final match by playing my handicap or at least very close too it. I have said for years that to compete in any tournament, just shoot your handicap or a bit better. Most players do not respond well during competition and generally shoot higher than expected. My approach is a great recipe for success.
Continue readingIs A Climbing Golf Index A Cause For Concern?
For any golfer who has an official handicap index, they watch the sliding number as they navigate the ups and downs of their golf season. The challenge with players in northern climes, like myself, the roller coaster ride of index changes is a yearly evet that is unavoidable and somewhat frustrating. The real question for the players who have a shortened season is when do we take note of our rising handicap and take steps to address potential issues that might have long term adverse affects.
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The Grateful Golfer 