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90% handicap allowance world handicap system

How handicap allowances will change under the World Handicap System

It's all change under the new World Handicap System. Here's what your handicap allowances will be for each format of the game
 

Loathed by lower handicappers, it’s blamed by many as putting players off entering betterball competitions. But the controversial 90 per cent allowance, which has split opinion since its introduction by CONGU at the start of 2016, is changing. Fourball strokeplay and Stableford competitions will now receive 85 per cent allowance when the World Handicap System comes into effect later this year.

Those hoping for further relief in matchplay, though, are set to be disappointed. Under WHS, fourball matchplay allowances will remain at 90 per cent.

The keen-eyed will also notice that handicap allowances for individual medals and Stableford competitions are set at 95 per cent.

Something approaching that figure has always been in place, handicap chiefs have said, but was administered in the background during annual handicap reviews.

Handicap allowances under WHS

Individual stroke play, Stableford, par/bogey, maximum score: 95%

Fourball stroke play: 85%

Fourball Stableford: 85%

Fourball par/bogey: 90%

Individual match play: 100%

Fourball match play: 90%

Foursomes: 50% of combined team handicap

Greensomes, Pinehurst/Chapman: 60% low handicap + 40% high handicap

Best 1 of 4 stroke play: 75%

Best 2 of 4 stroke play: 85%

Best 3 of 4 stroke play: 100%

Best 4 of 4 stroke play: 100%

Scramble (4 players): 25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest handicap

Scramble (2 players): 35% low/15% high

Total score of 2 match play: 100%

Best 1 of 4 par/bogey: 75%

Best 2 of 4 par/bogey: 80%

Best 3 of 4 par/bogey: 90%

4 of 4 par/bogey: 100%

These handicap allowances will only count as part of playing handicaps. They will not, for example, have any bearing on the acceptable score you return as part of your best eight of 20 under the new global handicap system.

Need more information on the World Handicap System?

Visit our dedicated WHS page where you will find everything you need to know and details of how to contact us if you have any more questions.

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