New for 2020: World Handicap System - Six handicap systems consolidated into one
On January 1, 2020, a new set of Rules for Handicapping was implemented around the globe, the World Handicap System (WHS). The goal of introducing the World Handicap System is to consolidate the six handicap systems currently in use and bring them together under one single set of Rules. This is to allow players of different abilities to play and compete on a fair and equal basis, no matter how or where they play.
The World Handicap System comes with significant changes from the system we have been using for the last two decades. Below are the major changes and updates for the World Handicapping System.
The current handicap system uses your best ten scores out of the most recent twenty scores to calculate your handicap index. The World Handicapping System uses your best eight scores of out of your most recent twenty scores to make up your handicap index. This will make the WHS more responsive to good scores. Scores will also be input hole by hole versus by your total score as we have done in the past.
Equitable Stroke Control is no longer part of the system. ESC system established a max score for each hole depending on a player’s course handicap. Now the max a player can record (for the purpose of handicap calculation) on any hole is "net double bogey." Net double bogey is figured by taking par + 2 + any handicap strokes a player is entitled to receive.
In the past, a player’s handicap index was updated on the first and fifteenth of each month. To modernize the way handicapping is calculated, a player’s handicap index will be updated daily. When no score is posted on certain day, then no update will occur. This process provides a fairer indication of a player’s ability at that moment.
The World Handicap System does not calculate any nine-hole handicap indexes. Every player in the GHIN system or Blue Golf will be issued an eighteen-hole handicap index. However, players may still post nine-hole scores.
The minimum number of holes played for acceptable score posting has been updated. To post an eighteen-hole score, a player must complete a minimum of fourteen holes. For a nine-hole score, a player must play a minimum of seven holes within the front or back nine. For any holes not played, the player is to post a hole score of par plus any handicap strokes they are entitled to on those holes.
One of the most discussed changes coming out of the World Handicap System is the introduction of a feature called the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC). In an effort to recognize the fact that the playing conditions can affect scoring, it has been determined that if conditions are deemed to differ to a significant degree, an adjustment will be made to a player’s score. This calculation and adjustment are done internally and automatically within the WHS. The introduction of the PCC makes it very important that a player post a score on the same day the round was played.
The final major change that a player should be aware of is the limitation of extreme upward movement. Handicap indexes will be reduced automatically and immediately when a score of at least seven strokes better is posted. These safeguards help maintain accuracy of a handicap index and promotes greater integrity within the system for fair play for all golfers.
The golf shops and golf professional staff across Dormie Network will continue to assist in posting scores after you completed a round. If you use the GHIN or Blue Golf app to post scores, you may continue to use these apps; however, a new version will be released for update within the first week of January 2020.
For any additional information or questions regarding the World Handicap System please reach out to your Dormie Network golf professional team or visit the USGA website.
