From the Clubhouse: We explain the big World Handicap System changes!
James Luke, England Golf’s head of handicapping, joins Steve Carroll on the From the Clubhouse podcast to discuss the big WHS news
What a week it has been in the world of club golf! Big changes are coming to the World Handicap System and we’re going to mark your card.
In a special edition of the From the Clubhouse podcast, Steve Carroll is joined by England Golf’s head of handicapping, James Luke, to go through all the new WHS stuff coming to GB&I next year.
We’ll try to explain Course Rating minus Par and how it will affect your handicaps, we’ll delve into the merits of the new rules around fourball betterball, and we’ll drill down into the detail of Course Handicaps and Expected Score.
If you’re still a little confused about what’s coming in April, this will hopefully start to put your minds at ease…
What do you think of the World Handicap System changes? Why not let us know by leaving a comment on X?
Listen to the From the Clubhouse podcast
You can listen to Steve and James discussing the WHS changes either by clicking the banner at the top and bottom of this article, or by clicking here.
WHS Changes 2024
- Your fourball betterball score could soon count towards your handicap!
- What is Course Rating minus Par?
- Play on a Par 3 course? You could put in a score for handicap!
- 14-hole rounds counting for handicap? It’s going to happen!
- What is Expected Score?
- Can we play competitions over odd numbers of holes?
- What’s happening to my Course Handicap?
- It’s all about the governance! Why the R&A and USGA have carried a review of the World Handicap System
- How many PCC adjustments have there been in England? The answer may surprise you
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 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 currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
