The World Handicap System is set to debut in 2020 and will allow golfers to play on an equitable and fair basis around the globe. This new system will include a number of new concepts and terms for golfer around the world to learn.
Here are six things to know:
Handicap Calculation
To encourage new players to the game, National Associations can set the number of holes required to be submitted to obtain a handicap. It is recommended that the minimum number of holes should be 54 (equivalient to three 18-hole rounds), in any combination of 9-hole or 18-hole rounds. Under the current handicap system, golfers were required to enter a minimum of 90 holes (five 18-hole rounds).
An average-based calculation of a handicap, taken from the best eight out of the last 20 scores and factoring in memory of previous demonstrated ability for better responsiveness and control. Right now the best 10 scores in your last 20 rounds is used to compute your handicap.
Under the new system, the maximum handicap that can be issued to a player of any gender is 54.0. The current max-handicap is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women.
Net Double Bogey Limit
Replacing our current system of Equitable Stroke Control, is Net Double Bogey. This will be used regardless of a players' handicap and is much simpler to remember. If you are headed towards a big number on a hole, for handicapping purposes, you will post Net Double Bogey.
For example, if you are an 18 handicap, playing a par-4, and on your second shot you hit a couple balls out of bounds, your score for that hole, would be a seven.
We get to that number by taking the par (4), add 2 for double bogey, and any handicap strokes received (1), totaling a score of 7, for the hole.
Daily Revisions
In our current system, handicaps are updated on the first and 15th of each month. Under the WHS, handicaps will be updated on a daily basis and it will be very important that golfers post their scores on the day that play golf.
Playing Conditions Calculation
The Playing Conditions Calculation will be a statistical calculation that determines if conditions on a day of play differed from normal playing conditions to the extent that they significantly impacted players' performance. Examples include: course conditions, weather conditions and course set-up.
Exceptional Score
An exceptional score will be a score that is at least 7.0 strokes better than the player's Handicap Index at the time the round was played.
Six Systems into One
At this time, there are six different handicap systems[1] used around the world. Each is well developed and successfully provides equity for play locally, but each of the different systems produces slightly differing results.
The WHS will unify the six systems into a single system that will:
[1] - USGA, CONGU, European GA, Argentine GA, South African GA, Golf Australia