How WHS works

So how does the World Handicap System work? This page will provide you will all the detailed information to make you an expert on the new changes and help you communicate these to members of your golf club.

World Handicap System Toolkit

The toolkit has been created to help you, the golf clubs, with education your members on the key changes of the new World Handicap System. the toolkit contains over 100 resources for you to use to help you to do this, including; Posters, social media graphics, TV screen graphics, guidance documents, video and presentations. We’ve also created a content plan so you can get involved with the national ‘Know The Score’ campaign which aims to educate everyone on the new Handicap System.

Download WHS Club Toolkit

Key features

Click on the links below to download resources to help learn about the World Handicap System.

What is the WHS? WHS comes into play on 2nd November 2020 in Great Britain and Ireland and will replace the current CONGU handicapping system.
Why has the WHS been created? With golf being centred around one standard set of rules governed by The R&A and USGA, it makes sense to unify the previous six different Handicapping systems, making for a more inclusive and equitable sport.
How does the WHS work? For golfers in England, calculating a new Handicap Index will be front of mind when adopting the WHS.
Handicap Index Golfers will consider the Handicap Index to be the most important element of the WHS.
Course Handicap Before any player starts their round they must convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap.
Playing Handicap Playing Handicap is a stroke allowance that is implemented in order to maintain the integrity of the WHS when used in competition.
Slope Rating Slope Rating is the number which indicates the relative playing difficulty of a course for Bogey Golfers, compared to Scratch Golfers.
Course Rating Golf Course Rating will be used to measure the playing difficulty of a golf course.
General Play and 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.