World Handicap System explained: Everything you need to know

World Handicap System

Mar 22, 2021

Read NCG's guide to golf's new World Handicap System – then enjoy our comprehensive coverage and analysis of WHS

The World Handicap System is here in the UK. After years of research and hundreds of hours of work, we have pulled together this comprehensive guide on WHS to help you navigate these new waters.

Need a refresher course on the World Handicap System? Here is everything you could possibly need to know…

World Handicap System explained

When did the new handicap system come into play?

What’s changed under the new system?

How does the new handicap system work?

What is ‘Slope Rating’ and how does it affect your handicap?

How does your handicap change from course to course?

How to calculate your own handicap under the new handicap system

A handy chart to help you work out your new handicap

Why not handing in your card could result in you losing your handicap

Why social rounds of golf can count towards your new handicap

How the new system will stop handicap cheats

What are the handicap allowances under WHS?

What is USGA Course Rating and how does it work?

How to see the Course Ratings for any club in the world

What the experts say about WHS

Five things about WHS that every golf needs to know

England Golf’s handicap chief Gemma Hunter answers your WHS questions

Questions and answers from England Golf’s WHS workshops

Scottish Golf’s head of handicapping Dave Kernohan answers your WHS questions

What are Slope and Course Ratings and how will they affect your handicap?

Frequently asked questions

What’s my new handicap under WHS?

Do I need to be a member of a club to hold a handicap?

Does my handicap change from course to course?

Has my old handicap changed automatically to a new WHS handicap?

Do I lose my handicap if I don’t play enough tournaments?

How do I submit a WHS score in a non-competition round?

Why does the World Handicap System use 8 out of 20 scores?

Will abnormal weather conditions affect handicap calculations?

What is the Playing Conditions Calculation?

What happens to my handicap during the winter months?

Why does the WHS use eight rounds to calculate your handicap?

Are all of England’s courses slope and course ratings now complete?

Who calculates the slope rating for each course?

What is a course handicap? And why is 113 the number used to calculate it?

What happens if my course hasn’t been WHS rated yet?

How does it work if two members of different courses are playing together at a neutral venue?

What has happened to CONGU?

If I have a bad run of scores, will my handicap change dramatically?

How does WHS abnormal course and weather conditions allowance work? And is it different to CSS?

Is there a time limit to complete my rounds?

How is my handicap calculated if I haven’t submitted 20 scores over the past three years?

How far back can I go with my 20 rounds?

How does WHS deal with golfers who card NRs?

Does the new WHS system only apply to qualifying competitions?

What scores count towards the daily course conditions adjustment?

Can I submit scores for my handicap at clubs where I am not a member?

What are the handicap allowances under WHS?

How does entry to elite amateur competitions work?

NCG opinion

Rousing success or damp squib? NCG’s early verdict

‘The challenge is educating golfers about WHS’

Why our club golfer is excited about the new handicap system

I got thrashed by a 54 handicapper and loved every minute of it

What do club golfers think of the new handicap system? We went to ask some

Case studies

What does a day’s golf look like under WHS?

We analysed a club golfer’s rounds to see how his handicap changed under WHS

If you have any questions about the World Handicap System, contact Steve Carroll via email or Twitter and he will look into finding the answer for you.

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 23 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former captain and committee member, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the national Tournament Administrators and Referee's Seminar. He has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying and the PGA Fourball Championship. A member of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap.