The new World Handicapping System officially came into effect in November 2020.
Here are the main features of the new system:-
A player now has a Handicap Index that is calculated as the average of the best 8 of the last 20 scores on a players record.
For handicapping calculations the Adjusted Gross Score is compared to the the Course Rating and adjusted by Slope of the Course played to give a Score Differential. It is the Score Differentials that are used to determine the Handicap Index – best 8 of the last 20.
If there are fewer than 20 scores on the record a modified calculation is used.
The Handicap Index is used to produce a Course Handicap for the particular course and set of tees a player is playing.
Course Handicap = Handicap Index * Slope rating / 113
There is no requirement to carry out the complicated calculation. Every course should have a table showing the Course Handicap for all handicap indexes and the various tees that can be used. At Luffness, this is situated on the Noticeboard next to the flagpole.
There is also a course look up feature on the Scottish Golf App where you can see your course handicap for any course and tees in Scotland.
This Course Handicap should be used in determining strokes in any bounce games.
In a competition each player is give an Playing Handicap. This is calculated using the Handicap Index, Slope Rating and Handicap Allowance based on this table.
For competitions this will be calculated by the system.
Playing Handicap = Handicap Index * Slope /113 * 95%.
For bounce games the allowance above is applied to the Course Handicap to determine shots.
This allowance has no bearing on the calculation of any adjustment to handicaps.
If more than 8 scores are recorded at any one course on any day the system will calculate a “Playing Conditions Calculation“, based on the scores entered to reflect any abnormal conditions on the day and adjust scores accordingly (Equivalent to the previous CSS Calculation).
The system is updated overnight. If a player plays more than one competitive round in a day, the handicap index does not alter during the day e.g. between rounds.
PLEASE TRUST THE SYSTEM TO DO THE CALCULATIONS CORRECTLY – THERE IS NO NEED TO WORK THEM OUT YOURSELF.
Once a player has a Handicap Index this is never taken away – there is no requirement to submit three cards a year. The only effect of not submitting cards is that your handicap index will never change and it may not truly reflect a player’s ability.
NOTE – THE SCOTTISH GOLF APP CANNOT BE USED TO RECORD SCORES IN CLUB COMPETITIONS
