A new handicap system has arrived, and we are here to help you make sense of all the confusion. The system was designed by The R&A and the USGA to simplify and place all the game of golf under a singular set of rules. It’s bringing with it some amazing changes to the worldwide system, easing a player’s ability.
The main features of the system:
Worldwide conversion
One of the main features of the new golf handicap system is the creation of a consistent handicap that is transferable not only from one course to another, but from one country to another. This will be possible through a modified version of the course and sloping rating system.
The new calculations
Your handicap index calculation will now be calculated based on the average of 8 score differentials taken from your last 20 scores. There will be no further reductions. This system automatically rolled over at midnight on the 1st of October. Due to the changes in calculation, some might have a slightly adjusted handicap.
Score timeline
The time frame to submit your score has been reduced form the 72 hours mark to only 24 hours. This means that you only have 24 hours before a penalty occurs- any score entered after this time frame will result in the lowest differential in the player’s last 20’s.
Handicap cap
The new system caps all handicaps at 54, no matter what gender the player is. This is to encourage more players to track their game and increase the enjoyability of the game play.
Blaming the weather
The new system finally accounts for the weather you might experience, and adjusts your score accordingly.
Final Thoughts
The system has been developed to make the game of golf more welcoming. This will help govern the world of golf under one singular set of rules, easing the game of golf around the world.
