WHS Education Program
On 2nd November 2020, a new handicapping system WHS will be introduced into the UK to replace our existing system CONGU.
- The playing length of the course
- The obstacles that a player will encounter (e.g. size of green and hazards)
Golfers will consider the Handicap Index to be the most important element of the WHS. The Handicap Index will:
- Measure the ability of a player
- Be portable from course to course
- Allow players to compete fairly and therefore promote inclusivity within the game
A Soft Cap and Hard Cap will be implemented to limit any extreme movement of a player’s Handicap Index within a 365-day period.
The Soft Cap will suppress movement by 50% after a 3.0 stroke increase over a player’s Low Handicap Index. The Hard Cap will restrict upward movement on 5.0 strokes over the Low Handicap Index.
Restricting the extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index will ensure that a player’s temporary loss of form does not cause the Handicap Index to move too far away from their actual ability.
England Golf will provide Course & Slope Rating tables to all golf clubs. Tables will be positioned in clear locations around the club to make it simple for golfers to find prior to beginning their round.
Golfers simply have to choose the tees they are playing off that day and cross reference their Handicap Index on the Course & Slope Rating table to ascertain their Course Handicap.
Before any player starts their round they must convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap.
The Course Handicap will determine the number of strokes a player will receive for any set of tees on a course.
An easy way for a player to remember the WHS, is to think HCP!
1) Handicap Index
2) Course Handicap
3) Play!
Playing Handicap is a stroke allowance that is implemented in order to maintain the integrity of the WHS when used in competition. The Course Handicap converts to a Playing Handicap for competition purposes and changes depending on the format of play.
Golfers do not need to calculate this (it is generated before their round). Golfers should continue to play in the mindset of their Course Handicap in competition rounds.
After the completion of a competition round, a player has to submit their scorecard as soon as possible in order for their Handicap Index to be updated. Preferably, scores should be posted at the venue being played and on the same day, as this will be when a player's Handicap Index will be updated. Posting of scores is possible by players utilising the technology available at their golf club.
For golfers playing in recreational rounds with friends, either in teams or pairs, even when there is no intention of submitting a score for handicap purposes, they will need to calculate the Course handicap prior to their round.