New World Handicap System

World Handicap System – Introduction

A new World Handicap System (WHS) is to be introduced on 2nd November 2020. The aim of the new WHS is to welcome more players, to make golf easier to understand and to give all golfers a handicap which is portable all around the globe.

It will replace the six different systems currently used by over 15 million golfers in more than 80 countries.

Over the coming months we will provide newsletters updating the membership about the various changes to the handicap system.

It has been developed by The R&A and The United States Golf Association (USGA), supported by the world’s handicapping authorities, including CONGU, which represents the four home countries of Great Britain and Ireland.

Why the change to a World Handicap System?

To make the game more enjoyable, the new system will include:

• Course rating and slope rating
• Minimum number of scores to obtain a handicap
• Competitive and recreational scores to count for handicap
• Recreational scores will be pre-registered rounds similar to the current Supplementary Score System
• Handicaps will be calculated from an average of recent scores
• Maximum handicap of 54
• Abnormal course and weather conditions adjustments

What do I need to do now?

Members should now return as many scores as possible so that their handicap index is a true reflection of their playing ability. If a player has only returned 54 holes in the last two years their handicap index will be based on those 54 holes.

From September 2020 members will see a transitional handicap alongside their current CONGU handicap in their handicap record which will provide an indication of their new handicap index.

A course handicap is calculated based on the difficulty of a golf course, known as the course rating and slope rating. This allows members handicaps to be affected by the difficulty or ease of the golf course they are playing.

Over the coming months the golf club will continue to explain key changes to the handicap system via a series of Newsletters and updates. The updates can be found on the members section of the website, under WHS.

Membership Administration

Edgbaston Golf Club

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