What is a Course Handicap?

Before any player starts their round they must convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap.

The Course Handicap determines the number of strokes a player receives for any set of tees on a course.

How to work out a Course Handicap?

England Golf has provided Course & Slope Rating tables to all golf clubs. Tables should be positioned in conspicuous 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. It really is as simple as that – they’re then ready to get out on the course and play!

Course Handicap Tables are also available via an App and club handicap software so golfers can view their Course Handicap remotely prior to a round. Should any golfer wish to calculate their Course Handicap manually the formula is as follows:

Course Handicap Key Features Video from the R&A and USGA

How to submit a score?

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.

How to verify a score?

In order to verify a score and for it to count towards a players WHS, it must be played:

• In accordance with The Rules of Golf

• In an authorised format of play

• Over a minimum number of 10 holes

• With at least one other person

• On a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating

How your score counts towards the WHS?

Acceptable formats of play for submitting a score towards a player’s Handicap Index include:

• Pre-registered general play ‘social’ scores

• All individual competition rounds, both 9 and 18 holes, whether played at home or away

Non-Acceptable formats of play for submitting a score towards a player’s Handicap Index include:

• Scores from fourball better ball

• Other matchplay events

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 their Course Handicap prior to their round.

What is a Playing Handicap?

A Playing Handicap is a stroke allowance that is implemented in order to maintain the integrity of the WHS when used in competitions. It allows golfers to compete on a level playing field, regardless of their Handicap Index.

The Course Handicap converts to a Playing Handicap for competition purposes and changes depending on the format of play.

The four most important aspects of Playing Handicap to remember are:

• It is only used for competition purposes

• It ensures equity to calculate competition results (via Handicap Allowances)

• Golfers do not need to calculate it (it is generated before their round)

• Golfers should continue to play in the mindset of their Course Handicap in competition rounds

The WHS has been designed with the enjoyment of recreational golf at the forefront. The WHS will allow golfers to play with freedom, therefore changing the nature in which they play the game. The focus for golfers should not be on their Playing Handicap.

Playing Handicap Video from the R&A and USGA

The Handicap Index is the most important element of the WHS.

The Handicap Index:

• Is a measure of the ability of a player

• Be portable from course to course

• Allows players to compete fairly and therefore promote inclusivity within the game

A Handicap Index is calculated from the best eight scores from the last 20 rounds.

As a new score is submitted, a player’s Handicap Index will automatically update to the most recent 20 scores. A player’s Handicap Index will update promptly overnight after the submission of an acceptable score and be ready before the next time they play.

How to obtain a Handicap Index?

For new golfers to gain their Handicap Index they will have to submit a minimum of 54 holes (using any combination of 9 and 18 holes). Their Handicap Index will be the lowest of their three rounds minus two strokes and continue to be built until the 20 scores are achieved.

IMPORTANT

The maximum Handicap Index for any player is 54. To obtain a recognised Handicap Index a player must be an affiliated member of a golf club.

How to safeguard a Handicap Index?

A Soft Cap and Hard Cap will be implemented to limit any extreme upward movement of a player’s Handicap Index within a 365-day period. This has been introduced to act as a safeguard to prevent any handicap manipulation.

The Soft Cap will suppress movement by 50% after a 3.0 stroke increase over a player’s Low Handicap Index (see glossary of terms later in this toolkit). For clarity in this instance, a Low Handicap Index is the lowest Handicap Index a player has had during the previous 12-month period.

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.

IMPORTANT

Caps only start to take effect once a player has at least 20 acceptable scores in their record.

Handicap Index Key Features Video from the R&A and USGA