World Handicap System

to be implemented 1/1/2020

In short:

In addition to the updated Rules of Golf that were implemented in 2019, the USGA and the R&A along with another 6 handicap systems in use in various places around the world, embarked on an attempt to unify handicap calculations for everyone who seeks to have or has an official handicap index. The result is called the World Handicap System (WHS) which will go into effect on January 1, 2020. Web address:  www.whs.com  Article from USGA: whs.com

Nine points:

1. The system will make handicap calculations consistent if you wish to play in sanctioned events in other parts of the world.
   
   
2. It will be easier to establish an official handicap. In the current USGA handicap procedure it takes scores from a total of 90 holes (5 rounds) to get a handicap index. Starting in January, it will only require 54 holes (3 rounds). This will make it easier for a new golfer to get his/her index.
   
   
3. For most players with a current handicap index, the index may drop slightly. Instead of the current best 10 scores out of the last 20 rounds, the new index will be based on the best 8 scores out of the last 20 rounds. The index will be more responsive to decreases in index and it will be more difficult for the index to increase.
   
   
4. Currently, the maximum official index for men is 36.4 while the maximum for women is 40.4. Under the new system the maximum will become 54.0 for both men and women. How this plays out in your club will be up to the Board.
   
   
5. There should be less volatility of the handicap index. So if your index is 24.0 this month, it's most likely to be 24.0 next month unless you shoot several low scores.
   
   
6. The handicap index will be updated daily. Currently, NCGA/USGA/GHIN updates handicap index on the 1st and 15th only.
   
   
7. The computer system will look at scores shot at a given course over the day and make adjustments that take into account course and weather conditions. Combined with daily updates, golfers are encouraged to post their scores on the same day they played.
   
   
8. All scores will be counted whether they are for 9-hole rounds or 18-hole rounds.
   
   
9. The maximum score that can be reported on a given hole for handicap purposes is net double bogey. See examples that follow.

Net Double Bogey:

To adjust for this requirement, one needs to know his/her course handicap and the handicap rating of each hole (on the scorecard). Three examples follow...

Course Handicap (not index) = 18

This player gets one "pop" per hole. Double bogey is 2 strokes higher, so this player is able to record a score up to 3 over par on every hole. If they get a higher score than that on any hole, they must adjust down to the total of 3 over par for that hole.

Course Handicap (not index) = 22

This player gets one "pop" per hole plus an extra pop on holes rated 1 through 4. That is a total of 4 over par on holes rated 1 to 4 and 3 over par on holes rated 5 to 18. If they get a higher score than that, they must adjust down accordingly.

Course Handicap (not index) = 34

This player gets one "pop" per hole on every hole plus an addition "pop" for holes rated 1 through 16. They can thus report a maximum of 4 over par for holes rated 1 to 16 and a maximum of 3 over par for holes rated 17 and 18.

Note that these are the limits for handicap reporting on a hole-by-hole basis. For the most part, your scores will be below this limit and thus the score you report will be almost the same as your score for your round. When getting ready to post your score, a hole that exceeds the Net Double Bogey limit needs to be adjusted down according to the procedure that uses your course handicap and the hole's handicap rating.

The purpose of your handicap index is to indicate your potential ability rather than how you did during your last round. Even during a good round, there may be a hole where the wheels fall off and you shoot a 10 on a par-3 hole. The really high score isn't indicative of your ability -- only your bad shooting or bad luck that round.