World Handicap System™ Revisions Announced for 2024

Just when we all got used to converting our handicap index to a course playing handicap, things are changing from 1st April (no, this is not an April Fool’s joke).

We will be introducing new boards in the golf shop window, which will operate exactly the same, but you may find that your playing handicap will be different. This is because the formula used is changing. From April, the calculation will use the course rating instead of par. On some courses, the difference may change handicaps by 3 shots or more, so be aware of this if you are a frequent player of away courses. The new boards will do all the calculations as before, so just make sure you check them before play.

For the mathematicians out there, the previous calculation was: Handicap Index multiplied by the Slope Rating, divided by 113. It will now be Handicap Index multiplied by the Slope Rating, divided by 113, minus course par, plus course rating. Our yellow course is rated as 70.9 with a par of 72, so effectively, everyone will have a course handicap that is less by 1.1. Our white course is rated at 71.7, so everyone’s handicap will decrease by 0.3. As course handicaps are rounded to a whole number, for some, 0.3 will make no difference, but off yellows, everyone will come down by 1 shot, or in some cases 2. Our red course is rated at 74.0, so with a par of 72, people will gain 2 shots!

For more information, use the link below and select the tab ‘Course Handicap Calculator’.

https://www.randa.org/en/articles/world-handicap-system-revisions-announced-for-2024