World Handicap System

The World Handicap System (WHS) launched on the 2nd November 2020.

This signals the first major shift in handicapping across England since the national handicap was introduced in 1911.

Developed by golf's governing bodies, The R&A and USGA, the WHS - for the first time - unites six bodies across the globe under one standardised system.

It will now be directly accessed by over 630,000 golfers at the 1,817 golf clubs in England.

Under WHS, golfers from England will be able to transport and use their "˜Handicap Index' on any course around the world.

The new WHS makes for a fairer and more equitable system of handicapping as well as establishing a method for more accurately calculating a golfer's current playing ability.

Further changes from the old CONGU system include a player's Handicap Index being calculated from an average of the best eight of last 20 returned scores, allowing golfers to easily obtain and maintain a handicap, as well as compete, or play recreationally, regardless of where they tee it up.

To help golfers get a better understanding of how the WHS works below is a summary of the key features along with links to more detailed explanations.

Handicap Index Calculation

One of the most common questions golfers will ask each other is, what is your handicap? 

Under WHS, the way in which a handicap is calculated will change slightly, and golfers will receive a new Handicap Index.

A Handicap Index is designed to represent your demonstrated ability.  It is calculated by averaging the best 8 score differentials out of the most recent 20 within your scoring record. Can be made up of both competition and general play scores.

Find out more about Handicap Index Calculation here

Course and Playing Handicap

As part of WHS, golfers have a Course and Playing Handicap.

Your Course Handicap will be the number of strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating.

The Course Handicap is adjusted for any handicap allowances or Terms of the Competition. It represents the actual number of strokes the player gives or receives for the format of golf being played.

Find out more about Course and Playing Handicap here

Frequency of Handicap Index Update

A player should submit their score as soon as possible on the day of play, after completion of their round and before midnight (local time).

The handicap calculation will take place every night at a specific time and a golfer's new handicap index will be calculated ready for the following day. A golfer will be able to view their new handicap index on the England Golf Platform (via the website or App) or through their own golf club.

If a golfer's score is not submitted on the day of play it will not be used in the Playing Conditions Calculation.

Find out more about Frequency of Handicap Index Update here

Acceptable Scores

Under WHS, one of the key aims is to provide golfers with more opportunities to submit counting scores.  

The factors that will mean a score is considered acceptable for handicapping purposes are outlined in the Rules of Handicapping and can be found below.

Find out more about Acceptable Scores here

Course and Slope Rating

The Course Rating system forms the foundation for the Rules of Handicapping.

The system enables handicaps to be portable by adjusting a player's handicap according to the relative difficulty of the golf course being played.  

Find out more about Course and Slope Rating here

Playing Conditions Calculation

At the end of each day, a playing conditions calculation (PCC) takes place automatically, behind the scenes, to determine if scores made at the course were significantly higher or lower than expected.

If scores were unusually low or high, a PCC adjustment of between -1 and +3 will be applied to your score differential calculation to reflect the playing conditions on the day.

Find out more about Playing Conditions Calculation here

Exceptional Score Reduction

A score differential which is at least 7.0 strokes or more better than the player's Handicap Index at the time the round was played.

Score can be from any format of play, competitive or general play and this is not restricted to competition scores.

Find out more about Exceptional Score Reductions here

Soft and Hard Cap

A player's Low Handicap Index is remembered within the handicap formula - this is the lowest Handicap Index they have held within the last 12 months. 

The Low Handicap Index provides a reference point against which the current Handicap Index can be compared.

If the new Index is more than a certain number of strokes above the Low Handicap Index, the cap is triggered.

The soft cap suppresses upward movement when the difference between the new calculated Index and the Low Index is greater than 3. 

The hard cap prevents further upward movement by placing a hard ceiling at 5 above the Low Index.

Find out more about Soft and Hard Cap here