The NCG Podcast: Everything you need to know about the World Handicap System
The World Handicap System and one of the biggest changes to the way we play the game in decades comes into force on November 2.
The dreaded .1 will disappear forever and our handicaps will apply the world over, whether we’re playing at our home club, the Old Course, or that bucket list layout in Florida.
But if you still don’t know your course rating from your slope, your hard cap from your playing conditions calculation, then we are here to help.
David Kernohan is handicapping and course rating officer for Scottish Golf and is leading the way in implementing the new system north of the border.
We asked him to give us a beginners’ guide to WHS and he answers some of your questions too….
The NCG Podcast with Scottish Golf’s handicapping and course rating officer David Kernohan
Want more? Head to our podcast homepage.
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.
Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for free online golf instruction, the latest equipment reviews, and much, much more.
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.
