WHS General Information

Basis of Handicap Index Calculation

• A score is submitted and converted to a Score Differential based on the Course Rating and Slope Rating of the tees that were played. This will include any adjustment for abnormal course or weather conditions, based on the Playing Conditions Calculation.
• A Handicap Index is calculated by averaging a player’s 8 best Score Differentials out of their most recent 20.
• Extreme upward movement of a Handicap Index within a 365-day period will be limited through a capping mechanism.
• An additional reduction will take place when a player submits an exceptional score – a score that produces a Score Differential 7.0 strokes or more below their current Handicap Index.

Course Rating and Slope Rating

The USGA’s Course Rating System will be used as the foundation for the Rules of Handicapping and will be referred to as “The Course Rating System”.

It will be used to calculate the playing difficulty of a golf course and a Slope Rating, enabling a Handicap Index to be converted into a Course Handicap.

Course Handicap and Playing Handicap Calculation

Principle of the rule :

For a Handicap Index to be portable, it must be converted into a Course Handicap to determine the number of strokes a player receives for the golf course being played.

For equity to be achieved amongst two or more players, a player’s Course Handicap must be converted into a Playing Handicap as determined by the format of play and the applicable handicap allowances.

The Course Handicap is the calculated handicap the golfer will use on the day, based on the Course (Tee Color) they select and includes the adjustment to Par.

The Course Handicap is calculated as follow : Course Handicap = Handicap Index * Slope / 113 + (Course Rating - Par)

It is a rounded number, where a decimal <0.5 will be rounded down, and a decimal ≥0.5 will be rounded up. Rounding only after calculation is completed

And, it is the number the golfer will use to record their score.

Note : Depending of format of play, handicap allowance may be also applied

Authorised format of play

Note :

General Play means “friendly games”. The marker of the player must hold a valid handicap.

Maximum Score for handicap purposes

A player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes is Nett Double Bogey.