WHS Update from England Golf
Introduction to Handicap Index Part 1
Following last week’s explanation of Slope Rating, we now move into the first part of arguably the most important area of the new WHS, Handicap Index. This phrase will become synonymous with golfers in the lead-up-to, and following, the November 2nd introduction of the new system, and we are going to be telling you all about it over the next two weeks!
Handicap Index will:
- Measure the ability of a player
- Be portable from course to course
- Allow players to complete fairly, therefore promote inclusivity within the game
A Handicap Index is calculated from the best eight scores from a players last 20 rounds. As a new score is submitted, a player’s Handicap Index will automatically update to the most recent 20 scores. A player’s Handicap Index will update promptly overnight after the submission of an acceptable score and be ready before the next time they play.
How to obtain a Handicap Index?
When we adopt the WHS in England, most golfers will have a Handicap Index generated based on their existing records. However, for new golfers to gain their Handicap Index they will have to submit a minimum of 54 holes (using any combination of 9 and 18 holes).
Initially, their Handicap Index will be the lowest of their three rounds minus two strokes, and this will continue to be built until the 20 scores are achieved. The maximum Handicap Index for any player is 54, and in order for players to obtain a recognised Handicap Index a player must be an affiliated member of a golf club.
Hopefully, this provides you with a good understanding as to what a Handicap Index is, how golfers will obtain one, and why it is so important to the new system.
Introducing Bring Your 8 Game!
Now you have had a chance to brush up on Handicap Index, we’re pleased to introduce the first of two mini secondary campaigns that sit beneath ‘Know the Score’. ‘Bring Your 8 Game’, which you may have seen already within Toolkit 1.0, has been devised so golfers can easily remember that their Handicap Index is simply their best 8 scores from their last 20 rounds.
To see these resources in their entirety, please refer to the resources from the Handicap Index section within the toolkit and the timeline, and be sure to print off the relevant posters and place them around your golf club for your members to see.
You can also download the corresponding graphics to post them on your club’s social media channels, along with a handy key features video which is also available to download. As usual, we have provided example posts for Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook below for you to use alongside the social graphics.
Handicap Index: social posts – Use the captions below to post alongside the resources on your social media channels
A Handicap Index will:
– Measure the ability of a player [tick emoji]
– Be portable from course to course [tick emoji]
– Allow golfers to compete fairly and promote inclusivity within golf [tick emoji]
Just #BringYour8Game!
Instagram / Facebook
A Handicap Index will:
1. Measure the ability of a player [tick emoji]
2. Be portable from course to course [tick emoji]
3. Allow golfers to compete fairly and promote inclusivity within golf [tick emoji]
Just #BringYour8Game! #KnowTheScore #KnowTheScore #WorldHandicapSystem
How to use the WHS Toolkit – video tutorial
Next week, we go into more detail on to how to safeguard a Handicap Index.
