From the Clubhouse: We talk WHS with England Golf’s Head of Handicapping James Luke

Steve CarrollTom Irwin

We’ve taken the From the Clubhouse podcast on the road and our guest this week is the man in charge of the World Handicap System in England

A golfer fills out a scorecard | Source: Adobe Stock world handicap system

We don’t want you to think of us as one-trick-ponies but it’s another podcast and another week talking about the World Handicap System.

That’s because Tom Irwin and Steve Carroll took the From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, on the road and visited Woodhall Spa, the headquarters of England Golf, to speak to James Luke, the governing body’s new Head of Handicapping and Course Rating.

We get stuck into course rating, PCC, interoperability, and much more besides – including if higher handicappers are actually dominating competitions, the vital role of the marker in protecting the integrity of the system, and what might be coming in the future.

There are some funny stories along the way too so let’s get stuck in…

From the Clubhouse podcast with England Golf’s Head of Handicapping James Luke

Listen to our views and hear what James has to say on the World Handicap System on the From the Clubhouse podcast, in association with TaylorMade Golf, in the player below, or on your preferred podcast platform.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO FROM THE CLUBHOUSE ON SPOTIFY

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About the author

Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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