Changes to The World Handicap System That Could Affect You

Since it was launched back in 2020, the World Handicap System (WHS) has been one of the most significant developments in the world of golf for generations. It has consistently divided opinion in the years following its introduction, with advocates declaring the benefits that it has provided, while detractors point to issues and inconsistencies that have frustrated many golfers.

Addressing several of those complaints, The R&A and USGA unveiled changes that were established last year, but 12 months on, ahead of the new golf season, there are further developments that could affect you.

Dispatching a notice to all clubs, Golf Ireland, from 1st April 2025, as part of a trial period, will be changing the application of the WHS Rules of Handicapping with regard to the calculation of Playing Handicaps.

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This means that competition committees at clubs will have the opportunity to alter the Playing Handicap allowances for tournaments, giving them more freedom and flexibility. 

Previously, the Playing Handicap allowances had been mandatory.

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

What is a Playing Handicap?

The USGA defines it here as: "Playing Handicap is the actual number of strokes you receive or give during a round and is the number used for the purposes of the game or competition. This number is often the same as a Course Handicap, however, if a handicap allowance is applied, if the format is match play, or if players are competing from tees with different pars, it may be different."

What is Changing in The World Handicap System?

When it comes to singles events for handicapping purposes, clubs will have three options to choose from:

1. They can retain the current allowance of 95%, as recommended in Appendix C of the Rules of Handicapping.

2. They can reduce the allowance to either 90% or 85%.

3. They can increase the allowance to 100% of the Course Handicap, thereby removing the concept of a Playing Handicap as a separate value completely in singles competitions.

When it comes to four-ball stroke play competitions, stroke play, stableford or V-Par competitions run in conditions that may count on a player's Handicap Record, these options apply:

1. Retain the current allowance of 85%.

2. Reduce the allowance to either 80% or 75%.

3. Increase the allowance to 90%.

Why is This Change Being Made?

Feedback has found that some clubs are finding that lower handicappers are struggling to be competitive, meaning that those in charge may wish to introduce a lower Playing Handicap allowance to make things more competitive, especially in events with larger fields where the difference between the lowest and highest Handicap Index is most significant.

Additionally, having a higher Playing Handicap allowance is more suitable for those tournaments with smaller fields of less than 30 players.

Explaining the rational behind these changes, Golf Ireland said: "Consistent feedback indicates that many clubs feel the need for more options to address specific issues they are encountering with handicapping in their competitions. Moreover, a similar trendline in the feedback has indicated that lower handicappers in a number of clubs feel less competitive as a result of the changeover to the WHS, and in some cases are even less inclined to play in club competitions. In these circumstances, the option to lower the Playing Handicap allowance is one that club committees may wish to consider.

"Similarly, however, a number of clubs also find that their members are struggling with the complexity of the WHS, and that in scenarios where there are comparatively few golfers playing in competitions, there is a question as to whether there is a need for such complexity. In such clubs, having a Playing Handicap that is directly equal to the player’s Course Handicap (ie, 100%) goes some way to simplifying the handicap calculation that is made for competitions.

"The purpose of the changes, therefore, is to give clubs a degree of flexibility in responding to their own specific challenges with handicapping in their own competitions."

Is This Coming to England, Scotland & Wales?

While this is being introduced across the island of Ireland in April, those of us on the other side of the Irish Sea will have to wait another year as this change is set to be launched in England, Scotland and Wales in 2026.

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