We’ve opened the floodgates at NCG towers. We asked for your thoughts on the World Handicap System and you have been getting in touch in huge numbers.
We’ve shared your views on how the system works, what you thought about general play scores, as well as what you think about the handicap allowances pilot in Ireland.
But you have been sending in emails in such quantity that we’ve printed a few more of your thoughts below. Keep them coming…
Here’s what you are saying about the World Handicap System
Chris wrote: “I am now what you class as a high handicapper. I have played off a handicap of 8. Back then you earned your playing handicap and you felt rewarded by your efforts.
“Weekend golf comps were a maximum of 18 handicap and it worked really well. I feel the new system benefits high handicappers.
“Basically, the guys playing off low handicaps very rarely come in the prizes unless there is a best gross. I also feel the new system makes me feel I’m pretty rubbish at playing golf as you can gain shots way too easily.
“It was so much better when one bad round meant a rise of .1 to your handicap. Plus, there were more categories for dropping your handicap. So much fairer than now. I say bring back the original system.”
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Michael said: “Why introduce a system to try and produce a level playing field for poor golfers? It will never happen.
“Their handicaps are high because they are not proficient golfers and never will be. I always and still do want my handicap to represent my good rounds.
“I’ll put up with not managing to compete in all competitions due to my lack of consistency.
“We have too many golfers hacking around with ridiculous handicaps, many with a total lack of etiquette and often very little knowledge of the Rules.”
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Matthew opined: “Whilst no system is perfect, the old CONGU system appeared to be based on your best ability, while WHS appears to be a more form-based system.
“One change I would like to see is to the soft cap and hard cap levels. If these were lowered from three and five to one and two, they would stop a lot of the handicap manipulation that goes on; after all should a member have a legitimate reason for a larger increase then this is what the Handicap Committee and peer review is for.
“I was previously at a club in Essex and the County Union there, after a lot of difficulties one year, introduced the competition handicap criteria based on your low handicap index which would stop a lot of those who are close to the limit having a couple of bad rounds so they can qualify to play for a club team.
“Like I say, no system is perfect, as long as the National Bodies are willing to listen and accept that some tweaks do need to be made.”
Chris, meanwhile, said he believed issues of handicap allowances were governed by:
“1. Laziness; comp secretaries and others in management just can’t be bothered.
“2. Lack of understanding; the same people above don’t understand the implications of making the allowance lower.
“3. Politics; many of the above are of the old guard, have higher handicaps and are typically resistant to change.
“4. Integrity (or lack thereof); WHS works if players put in their scores. So many players fail to put in “society” and/or overseas comps. The entry of “casual round” scores is, generally, non-existent. Sadly, the problem is not WHS but players themselves.
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“5. Perception; WHS is NOT complicated. It’s basic math. Most importantly players don’t need to understand it really. It’s all on an app, done by computers – just show up and play your best. Simple. The old system was fundamentally flawed on so many levels, people just didn’t realise it.
“At the end of the day people hate change and are unhealthily obsessed with the number of strokes they get. Younger players think WHS is normal but are being negatively influenced by the old guard.”
Turning to general play, Margaret wrote: “I think there should be a limit on the amount of general play scores submitted in a year.
“This is because some clubs who don’t play off winter greens put in general play scores all year, which can bump up somebody’s handicap dramatically. Also, if they play in two clubs they can in theory put in five or six cards in a week.
“So [for] a club that can’t put in general play scores in the winter months, its members may not have a huge chance to alter their handicaps up or down. If [they] aren’t playing well [it] can take a year or more to alter their handicaps.
“Yes, handicap committees can change this but how many actually do? You have people who never return a good general play score and remarkably play well in competition.”
And, finally, Vincent explained: “We always enter our rounds in general play, but we never just play. Every round is a competition of sorts, whether we play front, middle, back and overall. Or we all put a £1 in and play for the pot.
“As a small group of seniors we all try our best and are angry with ourselves if we aren’t playing well.
“A few of us play in senior opens, but we also play in recognised club competitions on a regular basis ensuring we are compliant with the rules of the competition.
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“Genuine players have an easy conscience. And there will always be players who feel aggrieved and robbed whatever the system is.”
Now have your say
What do you think? Are you happy with the World Handicap System? Do you feel your concerns are being addressed by your club or by WHS chiefs? With the World Handicap System going nowhere, what needs to happen for you to be happier with it? Email me at s.carroll@nationalclubgolfer.com or leave us a message on X.
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