Miles Bennett
The World Handicap System (WHS) is a system that enables golfers of varying abilities to compete on a level playing field, regardless of where they play. It is currently in use in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, and Northern California. The WHS revolves around a Handicap Index, which is a numerical representation of a golfer's skill level. This index is calculated by taking an average of the best eight score differentials from a player's 20 most recent scoring records. The Handicap Index is then used to calculate a Course Handicap, which determines how many strokes a player will receive or give on a particular course.
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What You'll Learn
How to obtain a Handicap Index
A Handicap Index is a numerical measure of a golfer's potential ability, expressed as a number with one decimal place (e.g. 21.4). It is based on the Score Differentials from past rounds, relative to the difficulty of the courses and tees played, as well as the playing conditions during each of those rounds.
The World Handicap System (WHS) is a database application that golfers use to enter their golf scores. The WHS then re-calculates the golfer's Handicap Index daily. When you join a golf club, you will get a Handicap Index ID, which is your unique identifier when entering or looking up scores.
To obtain a Handicap Index, you need to submit scorecards. For an initial Handicap Index to be calculated, you need to submit scores from a minimum of 54 holes (3 rounds). This will be your starting point, and the index will be altered as new scores are entered. Once you have submitted scores from 20 rounds, you will have a fully developed Handicap Index.
There are several ways to submit scores and obtain a Handicap Index. Before the launch of iGolf, a Handicap Index was only available to golfers with a golf club membership. Now, with iGolf, you can subscribe to the platform, download the MyEG app, and submit your scores to obtain and maintain your Handicap Index.
Alternatively, you can join a golf club, which will be responsible for ensuring your Handicap Index is administered in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping. The golf club will establish a Handicap Committee to ensure compliance with the Rules of Handicapping.
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What is a Course Rating?
A Course Rating is a measure of how difficult a golf course is for a scratch golfer (someone with a handicap of 0). It is an evaluation of course difficulty and is measured in strokes. For example, if a course has a par of 72, the course rating might be 71.4, which is the score a scratch golfer is expected to shoot on the course. The number goes up with the difficulty of the course.
The Course Rating is calculated by taking into account hundreds of variables on each hole, such as the length of the course, the distance to hazards, the size and contours of the greens, and the severity of bunkers. All of this information is then plugged into an algorithm, which generates the Course Rating.
The Course Rating is used, along with the Bogey Rating, to determine the Slope Rating. The Slope Rating is an indication of the difference in difficulty for scratch and bogey players. It is calculated by subtracting the Course Rating from the Bogey Rating and multiplying it by a predetermined constant. The Slope Rating can range from 55 to 155, with an average of 113.
The Course Rating and Slope Rating are important for golfers with an official USGA handicap, as they are required to record these numbers every time they turn in a score. The Course Rating and Slope Rating can be found on the scorecard of the course being played.
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Bogey Rating explained
The Bogey Rating is an important component of the World Handicap System (WHS) in golf. It is a measure of the playing difficulty of a golf course for a bogey golfer, defined as someone with a handicap of around 17.5 to 24. The Bogey Rating is used in conjunction with the Course Rating to calculate the Slope Rating of a golf course.
The Bogey Rating is calculated using two main components: the Bogey Yardage Rating and the Bogey Obstacle Rating. The Bogey Yardage Rating is based on the length of the course, while the Bogey Obstacle Rating takes into account various obstacles on the course, such as bunkers, water hazards, and tree placements. The sum of these two ratings makes up the Bogey Rating.
The Bogey Rating is an essential part of the WHS as it helps to establish a golfer's Handicap Index, which is the key number used to determine how many shots a golfer will receive or give on a particular course. By taking into account the difficulty of the course for a bogey golfer, the Bogey Rating ensures that golfers of all skill levels can compete on a fair and equitable basis.
It is worth noting that while the Bogey Rating provides valuable insight into the expected performance of a bogey golfer on a particular course, it may not be as useful for more skilled golfers. However, for golfers curious about their expected performance, the Bogey Rating can offer a reference point for improvement and a more precise understanding of their Handicap Index.
Calculating the Bogey Rating can be done through a formula that involves dividing the Slope Rating by 5, as suggested by some sources, or by referring to course rating databases provided by official golf governing bodies. These sources provide detailed information on course ratings, including Bogey Ratings, for golfers seeking a comprehensive understanding of course difficulties.
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How to calculate a Course Handicap
The Course Handicap is the number of strokes a player receives on a particular course. It is determined using the Handicap Index, which is a "portable handicap" that can be used across different courses. The Handicap Index remains the same from course to course, and it is used to calculate the Course Handicap for any given course.
To calculate a Course Handicap, you must first compute the Handicap Differential for each score that will be considered in the Handicap Index calculation. The Handicap Differential is calculated using the following formula: Handicap Differential = (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating) X 113 ÷ Slope Rating. The Course Rating is determined by the USGA and represents the expected score for a scratch golfer under normal playing conditions. A Slope Rating of 113 indicates a course of standard difficulty. The Handicap Differential should be rounded to the nearest tenth.
The next step is to select the lowest Handicap Differentials. If more than 20 scores are available, the 10 best differentials from the 20 most recent scores are used. The sum of the selected Handicap Differentials is then divided by the number of differentials to find the average. This average is then multiplied by 96% to arrive at the Handicap Index.
For an 18-hole course, the default maximum Handicap Index is 36.4 for males and 40.4 for females. On a 9-hole course, the default maximum Handicap Index is 18.2 for males and 20.2 for females. To determine the Course Handicap for a 9-hole course, you input half of the 18-hole Handicap Index (rounded to one decimal place), along with the 9-hole Course Rating, Slope Rating, and Par.
For non-standard courses with a different number of holes, the calculation is adjusted. The standard formula for calculating the Course Handicap is: Course Handicap = ((number of holes ÷ 18) * Handicap Index) * (Slope Rating ÷ 113) + (Course Rating – par).
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Soft and hard caps on handicaps
Golf's World Handicap System (WHS) includes a "soft cap" and "hard cap" within the Handicap Index Calculation. These caps are safeguards designed to ensure that a golfer's handicap index accurately reflects their demonstrated ability.
The soft cap suppresses the upward movement of a handicap index by 50% if a 3.0-stroke increase takes place within 12 months. In other words, if a golfer's low handicap index is 10.0 and their newly calculated number jumps to 14.0, the soft cap will limit the increase to half of 1, resulting in a handicap index of 13.5. The soft cap is automatically applied, kicking in when the difference between a player's newly calculated index and their low handicap index is greater than 3.0 strokes.
The hard cap is a further safeguard, which limits any upward movement in a player's handicap to a maximum of 5.0 strokes above their low handicap index. For example, if a golfer has a low index of 12.0 and posts a new score that results in a calculated handicap index of 20.0, the hard cap would apply, and their handicap index would be capped at 17.0. Like the soft cap, the hard cap is automatically applied and no action is required from the golfer.
In rare instances, the handicap calculation and safeguards may not accurately reflect a golfer's demonstrated ability. In such cases, the Handicap Committee can consider taking action to override the soft or hard cap. This typically involves considering various numeric and procedural items, including the spread between the average of the best 8 out of 20 Score Differentials and the Low Handicap Index. Any modifications to a golfer's Handicap Index should be communicated to the player in writing, and the player should be given an opportunity to respond.
It is important to note that getting capped is not uncommon, and golfers should not view it as a negative reflection on their skills. Instead, it is the handicap system adjusting to their current level of play.
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Frequently asked questions
WHS stands for the World Handicap System. The Handicap Index is a key number in the World Handicap System, which acts as a base point for golfers to calculate how many shots they will receive or give on a particular course.
The WHS calculates the Handicap Index by taking an average of the best eight "score differentials" from a player's 20 most recent score differentials on their scoring record.
The Handicap Index allows golfers of different abilities to compete on an equitable basis, no matter how or where they play. It enables golfers to compete or play casually with anyone on a fair basis.
