Having problems with the World Handicap System? This might help
England Golf have revealed the “bedding in” process for the World Handicap System continues following a transition of data on an “unprecedented scale”.
In an email to golf clubs and golfers outlining the progress that’s been made since the new handicap system came into effect in the UK on November 2, the governing body stated around 15 million items of historical scoring data have been transferred from the Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) to the new WHS platform.
Nearly 600,000 individual playing records have been added and more than 200,000 golfers have registered on the system since it was launched.
“As expected with such a huge transfer of data, there are elements of the new system that require adaptation and a number of operational challenges to be addressed,” the email explained.
“We thank all golfers and clubs for showing patience and understanding of our workload as we iron out the technical difficulties many of which were anticipated, but which could only be properly addressed once the system went live.”
Acknowledging that some clubs and golfers have emailed queries but have yet to receive an individual reply, England Golf highlighted areas the handicapping teams are working on in a series of headings. These include:
‘Missing scores’
“If any scores (before November 2, 2020) from a golfer’s playing record do not appear on the WHS system this is down to the fact that the information was never transferred to the CDH via the club’s software,” the email said.
“Golfers can ask that the home club posts these directly onto the England Golf WHS Golf Club Platform. We are also in conversation with club software providers to facilitate a transfer of ‘missing’ scores which only appear on club records.”
Pending scores
The email reported: “Scores within a player’s record that show as ‘pending’ are being looked into and we are working quickly to resolve this matter.”
Mapping of tees
“Data relevant to tees and the mapping of courses which was either incomplete or incorrectly transferred by clubs from their system to the WHS platform is now being manually processed by England Golf staff.”
Membership ID
“Members should be aware that when asked to input their Membership ID during login, this refers to their CDH number. Golfers who do not know their CDH number can request this from their club. Golfers should take extra care when inputting this 10-digit number to reduce chance of user error.”
Other issues outlined in the update include problems with web browsers and personal details and the email added: “For any other issues, please contact us with as much detail as possible and a screenshot of the page where any error is displayed.
“This will help speed up our response time. Please be patient when awaiting a reply – our staff are working as quickly as possible to deal with an increased number of emails. Contact us via email.”
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.
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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.
