Where did the time go? It’s been four years since the World Handicap System was launched in Great Britain and Ireland and it’s been a lively source of clubhouse debate ever since.
For its supporters, it has given them freedom – to play as and how they wish without having to fall within the constraints of a club competition system.
For its detractors, these have been four long years mired by accusations of manipulation.
The WHS has not stood still. There has been a major revision to the Rules of Handicapping, which was pushed through in April, and the way handicap committees at clubs deal with the system is continually evolving.
There is now a definite trend of clubs demanding increasing numbers of acceptable scores and, particularly competitive scores, to be eligible to win prizes and – in some cases – enter the events at all.
Some clubs require from a dozen scores up to a full record of 20 in a timeframe to enter some prestige competitions.
With such demands, should golfers just get used to putting in a score every time they play – regardless of whether they’d planned to be competitive or not?
In the United States, it’s common practice to enter a card in such circumstances. Should GB&I follow suit? Let’s look at a couple of the major pros and cons.
Listen to the NCG Golf Podcast
Tom Irwin is back! He joins Steve Carroll to discuss the latest club golf issues – including whether it’s time to start putting in every score for our handicaps? Give the new episode a listen.
Should we submit every card for our golf handicap?
