2020 Handicap changes

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The WHS combines all six handicapping systems used worldwide into one system for everyone.  

 https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/handicapping/world-handicap-system/WHS-resources.html 

Current handicaps are calculated by using your 10 best rounds in your previous 20.  The average handicap differential is then multiplied by .96 to get your handicap.

Under the WHS, it will be your best EIGHT of 20 and the multiplier is being eliminated.

Course handicaps will be tied more closely to course ratings and to par.  Your course handicap will vary more from tee box to tee box than it did in the past.

Because of this, the rule commonly called "3-5" is being eliminated.  There is an exception to this but does not affect our club.  

Equitable Stroke Control was previously determined by your course handicap.  That is changing.

Under the new system, everyone's ESC will be NET DOUBLE BOGEY.  Net double bogey is a simple calculation.  It is PAR + 2 STROKES + APPLICABLE HANDICAP STROKES.

It is up to you to know your course handicap before each round.  It is also up to you to know which holes you are allowed handicap strokes.

This does not mean that you pick up your ball once you have reached a net double bogey when you are in competition.  You must still play your ball out.

Handicaps will update on a nightly basis.  It is up to you to post your scores on the day you play.  Do not collect a few scores and post them all at once anymore.  Scores are to be posted that day.

WHS has a couple different safeguards against sandbagging.

Exceptional Score Reduction:  You will be tagged for a reduction any time you submit a score that produces a Score Differential at least 7.0 strokes below your handicap index.  Not only does this affect the round but also will affect all previous 20 rounds.  And it will stay there until that round falls off your previous 20.

There will also be "soft" and "hard" caps.   I am going to attach the slides used at the conference which will further explain this.