How many PCC adjustments have there been in England? The answer may surprise you
The Playing Conditions Calculation has been the source of plenty of World Handicap System debate. But how many times has it sprung into action? We have some numbers for you…
It’s been one of the more contentious aspects of the World Handicap System.
The Playing Conditions Calculation, designed to look at whether playing conditions on a day differ from expected scoring patterns, has long been accused of being “too conservative” and “never moving”.
In the summer of 2022, the USGA and R&A implemented a change to the controversial algorithm – which involved altering the rounding method – and expected to see an increase in the number of times an adjustment was made by an average of five per cent.
Now, we’ve got some figures which show how frequently the PCC has been called into action since.
In a recent members’ newsletter, England Golf revealed that 8.51 million rounds had been posted into the World Handicap System platform in 2023 up to the end of October.
And, of those, more than 1.26 million (1,268,758 to be exact) had been affected by a PCC change because of abnormal course weather and conditions. That works out at around 15 per cent.
WHS Changes 2024: What will happen to the Playing Conditions Calculation moving forward?
In the recently publicised changes announced to the World Handicap System, the R&A and USGA confirmed the PCC had been modified to increase the likelihood of an adjustment for those abnormal playing conditions.
They added that national associations had to bring in this revision within their computation platforms by April 1 next year.
It was introduced in Great Britain & Ireland in August 2022 and, asked by NCG about the impact there had been so far, Claire Bates, The R&A’s director of handicapping, said: “The early signs are it’s less conservative, the needle is moving, and the incidence of a zero PCC adjustment is less prevalent.
“That’s the initial feedback but we need much more time and data to see globally what the impact of this change has been. Every January, we send a request to national associations worldwide to ask for their scoring data for the previous year.
“When we do that next January, we should get a much better picture of what the impact of the change has been on adjustment levels. Then we can start discussing whether we think that’s enough, or whether we feel we’re now in the right place.”
Now have your say
What do you think of the Playing Conditions Calculation? Have you noticed any difference since the adjustments came into effect in Great Britain & Ireland? Why not let me know on X.
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
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.
