- World Handicap System Update - 2024.
- The World Handicap System came into force on November 2nd, 2020. Golfers around the world can calculate their handicaps using a new system developed by the USGA and The R&A, with key features designed to provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability.
- As we look ahead to the 2024 playing season, we wanted to take this opportunity to make you aware of up-and-coming changes to the World Handicap System for 2024. The World Handicap Authority (WHA) have been closely monitoring the implementation of the World Handicap System since 2020 and soliciting feedback from National Associations across Great Britain and Ireland. It is envisaged that, from now on, the system will be reviewed based on a regular four-year cycle, similar to the manner in which the Rules of Golf are reviewed. On the back of feedback recently received, the WHA is now bringing forward several changes which are to be implemented in Scotland by April 2024 at the latest. Golf clubs are being provided with an overview of the 2024 changes and guidance on how education will be rolled out across Scotland in the coming months.
- Headline changes - WHS 2024. Course Handicap - Change in Calculation: Introduction of Course Rating minus Par. The method by which a player's Course Handicap is calculated will change from 2024. It is an adjustment for the difference between the Course Rating and Par of the course being played. It will be implemented as part of the CH Calculation to give players the number of strokes required to play the course. Currently across GB&I, the method is based on the Slope Rating of a golf course: Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113)
- With more tees being rated for all genders, more mixed tee competitions are being played, and so it has become evident that a Course Rating - Par (CR-Par) adjustment is required. Added to this, the current method being used in GB&I to calculate a Course Handicap is becoming less commonly used elsewhere across the world. To provide additional consistency to the way Course Handicaps are calculated and to bring GB&I in line with the majority of the world, the decision has been taken by GB&I nations to adopt the Course Rating - Par method when calculating a Course Handicap. The new calculation method for 2024 will be: Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating-Par). It is likely in a number of specific circumstances this may mean little or no change while in others, depending on the difference between a club's Course Rating and Par, the change could be quite significant.
- The example below is based on Fullarton golf course and using the handicap index of 11.8 and the current calculation.
- Tee-white; Rating - 62.5; Slope - 100; Par - 66; CH - 10; Target Score - 73
- Tee - Yellow; Rating - 61.6; Slope - 99; Par - 66; CH - 10; Target Score - 72
- Tee - Red; Rating - 61.4; Slope - 98; Par - 67; CH - 10; Target Score - 71
- The example below is based on Fullarton golf course and using the handicap index of 11.8 and the new calculation.
- Tee-white; Rating - 62.5; Slope - 100; Par - 66; CH - 7; Target Score - 70
- Tee - Yellow; Rating - 61.6; Slope - 99; Par - 66; CH - 6; Target Score - 68
- Tee - Red; Rating - 61.4; Slope - 98; Par - 67; CH - 5; Target Score - 67
- Without CR-Par, the target score for a golfer to play to handicap is the Course Rating. However, with CR-Par implemented, it will move that target score to PAR of the course or 36 points. If the CR is Higher than Par, players will receive additional strokes. However if the CR is lower than the par, they will lose strokes. This is to ensure that handicap target score is Nett Par/36 points. This applies for all handicap indexes.
- The new updates will bring the following benefits:
- Golfers are playing to PAR of the course for handicapping purposes.
- More suitable adjustment between tee sets.
- Alignment with the majority of other jurisdictions.
- Interoperability worldwide.
- No confusion for golfers when playing overseas.
- Easier calculation required for Mixed Tee and Mixed Gender events - as the difference on Mixed Gender will be the Course Par.
- Further changes include:
- Scaling up 9-hole scores.
- Four-ball scores are acceptable for handicap purposes (in competition play only and not match play).
- Playing Handicap will be calculated based on the full Course Handicap maintained to machine precision - where software is being used for competitions, the Course Handicap will not be rounded to the nearest whole number before being converted into a Playing Handicap (already in place in Scotland).
- Enhanced CDH Reporting - the Club will be able to report and identify players who are consistently scoring above or below expectation - or where anomalies exist.
- Minimum length of a golf course to be eligible for a Course and Slope Rating - this has now been reduced to 1500yds for an 18-hole golf course and 750yds for a 9-hole golf course.
- Competitions over a non-standard number of holes to be used for handicap purposes - a new clause will be added to Rule 3.2 permitting competitions played over a non-standard number of holes to be used for handicap purposes. This new clause allows competitions played over 9 or any number of holes over nine (such as 12, or 14 holes) to be used for handicap purposes. The calculation will use the new method of expected score differential, to scale up the score for immediate use on a player's handicap record with the following benefits including the calculation will use the new method of expected score differential, to scale up the score for immediate use on a player's handicap record; the new method being introduced in 2024 endeavours to provide a more accurate prediction of what the player would have scored on holes not played by using an expected score differential rather than net par, and should, therefore, result in a more accurate Handicap Index; more scores will be available for use on a player's Handicap Record.
- The full presentation from Scottish Golf can be found at Scottishgolf.org if anyone wishes the complete details of these changes.
- Notice to all Members
- Slow Play
- Temporary Greens
- New procedure for returning scorecards
- Mentoring Groups
- Supplementary Scores
It is a requirement of South Ayrshire Council that all players arrive at the golf course at least 10 minutes before their tee off time.
If you are moved from your game into another game and have been contacted by a Committee member to inform you of this, it will be your responsibility to contact your playing partners to inform them you will be playing with them.
The Committee member will inform the player who his partners are when contact is made regarding the tee time. If a player fails to contact his partners and is left without a game, he (the player) will be held responsible for his own inaction.
Following recent verbal complaints to several members of the Committee regarding slow play, all members are reminded that your place on the course is just behind the game in front and that if you lose one or more holes you must let the game(s) following you through your group. This is good etiquette and should be encouraged to maintain a good pace of play.
All players should note that slow play will be monitored closely this season. Where deemed necessary, penalties will be applied to the guilty parties.
As in recent seasons, any competition that starts on temporary greens but finishes on full greens will be deemed as complete. We do not have enough room in our calendar to replay all such competitions.
The Chase Golf Club requires all scorecards to be returned electronically via MasterScoreboard. All members were sent a link from the Handicap Secretary with instructions on how this should be done. Please ensure this procedure is implemented immediately and if you require a new password or encounter difficulties with this task please contact the Secretary or Handicap Secretary and we shall help as much as possible. Paper Scorecards will no longer be accepted via the locked box in the Chase Inn and do not forget to comply with all our Competition Rules to avoid disqualifications.
All members are reminded that all scores should be returned by 10pm on the day of play. ie: Play SATURDAY cards to be returned by 10pm SATURDAY, Play SUNDAY cards to be returned by 10pm SUNDAY, Play WEDNESDAY cards to be returned by 10pm WEDNESDAY, Play FRIDAY cards to be returned by 10pm FRIDAY.
The membership voted to introduce Mentoring groups to help with information and communication flow between the Committee and the members.
DETAILS OF MENTORING GROUPS TO FOLLOW
Under WHS competition rules a player may return a score shot over his Home Course for handicapping purposes. The round must be played under medal conditions and over a measured course. The handicapping secretary must be notified before the round takes place and the card signed by a club member. Adjustments to handicap will be made according to the Standard Scratch Score.
This is aimed at players who have difficulty in competing in sufficient competitions to hold their handicap and is normally limited to players who have played 6 or fewer qualifying scores in the preceding period between annual reviews.
Chase members who are also members of another Club are entitled to submit supplementary scores when playing in the events of the other Club but must inform the Handicap Secretary of their intention to do so before playing. Failure to submit the score will result in an automatic 0.1 increase in handicap. The away club are also responsible for informing the Chase Golf Club of the scorecard submitted and of course any handicap adjustments made via the Central Database of Handicaps (CDH).