Golf already has a single set of playing Rules, a single set of equipment Rules and a single set of Rules of Amateur Status overseen by the USGA and The R&A. The WHS, launched in January 2020, now also provides a single set of Rules of Handicapping, unifying the six different handicap systems, previously used around the world, into a single handicap system that: 

No, there may be some small variations from country to country. Each authorised National Association has the discretion to tailor the system to fit their own golfing culture. For example, the WHS offers a broad range of formats that, with some form of validation, are acceptable for handicap purposes and authorised National Associations  have the discretion to select from that range to both support their local golfing culture as well as encouraging golfers to post as many scores as possible.

• Consistency of calculation around the world;
• Portability of handicaps from course to course and country to country;
• As the world becomes a smaller place with a much greater frequency of international play, the development of a single handicap system facilitates easier administration of international events;
• The potential for National Associations to focus attention on other areas. 

It was never our intention to try to force any type of change on the way golf is played around the world or to try and remove the variations. The cultural diversity that exists within the game, including different formats of play and degrees of competitiveness, is what makes the sport so universally popular. Through collaboration with National Associations, the goal has been to try to accommodate those cultural differences within a single WHS.

Yes. A series of briefing sessions was conducted all around the world in 2015, which aimed to cover as many National Associations as possible. The reaction was very positive. The development of the WHS has been a collaborative effort and all the previous handicapping authorities and National Associations who are directly involved in the process are very supportive of the initiative.

While The R&A and The USGA will oversee the WHS, the day-to-day administration of handicapping will continue to be the responsibility of the existing handicapping authorities and individual National Associations within their jurisdictions.

Yes. We solicited the opinions of golfers and golf club administrators all around the world via an online survey, to which received over 52,000 responses. We have also conducted focus group sessions in five markets throughout Europe, the USA and South America. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive; 76% of those surveyed are supportive, 22% undecided at that stage and only 2% opposed.

The WHS was officially launched on 1 January 2020, and many countries adopted the system almost immediately – including Argentina, Australia, South Africa and the USA. Other countries took more time to transition, but as of today, over 100 countries are actively using the WHS.

As usual, it is recommended that competition organisers clearly specify the eligibility criteria for their events within the entry form and in the Terms of the Competition. Until such a time as all countries have transitioned to the WHS – the entry criteria should reflect the fact that some players will have transitioned to a WHS Handicap Index, and others will not.

The WHS has been designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible, while still providing golfers with the portability, accuracy and consistency they expect.

Offering a couple of examples, golfers will be able to obtain a handicap after returning a minimal number of scores – the recommendation being as few as three 18-hole scores, six 9-hole scores or a combination of both to comprise 54 holes. Handicaps will not lapse after a period of inactivity and the maximum handicap will be 54.0, regardless of gender. These elements are designed to provide a clear pathway into the game, enabling players new to the sport to feel more welcomed.

While the WHS is intended to encourage more golfers to measure and track their performance, it must enhance the enjoyment of all golfers. Therefore, it will be important for clubs to ensure that new golfers with higher handicaps pick up at the maximum hole score when the format of play allows, maintain a good pace-of-play and are accommodated within the club’s competition structures.

If you have an established Handicap Index, the maximum score for each hole played is limited to a net double bogey, equal to double bogey plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to receive based on your Course Handicap.

For example: A player with a Course Handicap of 15 receives one handicap stroke on holes with a stroke index of 1 through 15 on the scorecard.

On a par 4 hole with a stroke index of 10, the player’s maximum hole score is 7. Double bogey (6) + 1 handicap stroke = 7.

For players posting scores initial scores to establish a Handicap Index, the maximum hole score is limited to Par + 5.

You can visit your National Association’s website, randa.org or whs.org