World Handicapping System (WHS)

The World Handicap System (WHS) is effective from 2 November 2020 and  provides golfers with a unified and more inclusive handicapping system for the first time.

Developed by The R&A and USGA in close coordination with existing handicapping authorities, the WHS provides all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world.

A key objective is to deliver a system that enables as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index. Golfers are able to transport their Handicap Index globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis. It also indicates the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

To access the system all Members who wish to hold or maintain a playing handicap (Which is by no means mandatory)  are required to  register and log in to My England Golf. Please follow the guidance issued by our Handicap Secretary using your CDH Number. 
 
Members who do so will gain access to a new range of functions including:
  • WHS Handicap Index
  • WHS handicap record
  • Graphics highlighting the best eight scores from 20 (or the sliding scale formula used to calculate the index)
Additionally golfers are able to interact with fellow golf club members around the country through features such as:
  • Inviting friends to join their online community
  • Viewing their position in the rankings at club, county and national level

For the system to work effectively, Golf clubs in England including St Bees must provide two key pieces of information (in accordance with our Privacy Policy) to ensure that our members obtain a handicap index for the start of the WHS on 2 November.

  • A member’s email address
  • A member’s date of birth

Without this information, our members will not receive a handicap index when the transition from the current CONGU handicapping system to WHS takes place. The initial transfer of information is required to ensure player identification and to eliminate the duplication of handicap records.

Ongoing communication for handicap purposes will be fully compliant with GDPR protocols.

Junior members without an email address of their own may use an email address of a parent or guardian. SafeGolf procedures as well as GDPR regulations remain of paramount importance in such cases.

Click HERE to read more

WHS Data – F&Q

EG Rules of handicapping

Rules of handicapping – player reference guide

Frequently asked questions