How handicap allowances will change under the World Handicap System
Loathed by lower handicappers, it’s blamed by many as putting players off entering betterball competitions. But the controversial 90 per cent allowance, which has split opinion since its introduction by CONGU at the start of 2016, is changing. Fourball strokeplay and Stableford competitions will now receive 85 per cent allowance when the World Handicap System comes into effect later this year.
Those hoping for further relief in matchplay, though, are set to be disappointed. Under WHS, fourball matchplay allowances will remain at 90 per cent.
The keen-eyed will also notice that handicap allowances for individual medals and Stableford competitions are set at 95 per cent.
Something approaching that figure has always been in place, handicap chiefs have said, but was administered in the background during annual handicap reviews.
Handicap allowances under WHS
Individual stroke play, Stableford, par/bogey, maximum score: 95%
Fourball stroke play: 85%
Fourball Stableford: 85%
Fourball par/bogey: 90%
Individual match play: 100%
Fourball match play: 90%
Foursomes: 50% of combined team handicap
Greensomes, Pinehurst/Chapman: 60% low handicap + 40% high handicap
Best 1 of 4 stroke play: 75%
Best 2 of 4 stroke play: 85%
Best 3 of 4 stroke play: 100%
Best 4 of 4 stroke play: 100%
Scramble (4 players): 25%/20%/15%/10% from lowest to highest handicap
Scramble (2 players): 35% low/15% high
Total score of 2 match play: 100%
Best 1 of 4 par/bogey: 75%
Best 2 of 4 par/bogey: 80%
Best 3 of 4 par/bogey: 90%
4 of 4 par/bogey: 100%
These handicap allowances will only count as part of playing handicaps. They will not, for example, have any bearing on the acceptable score you return as part of your best eight of 20 under the new global handicap system.
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.
