IMPORTANT WHS™ 2024 UPDATES

January 6, 2024

The golf community is set to experience significant updates to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) starting January 1, 2024, with GB&I implementations beginning April 1, 2024. These updates promise to enhance the golfing experience by making the sport more inclusive and accurately reflective of players' abilities. Here’s what’s changing:

Embracing Shorter-Length Courses

For the first time, the WHS™ will include shorter-length courses in the Course Rating™ System, accommodating 18-hole courses as short as 1,500 yards and 9-hole courses as short as 750 yards. This significant change aims to broaden the WHS™ to include par-3 courses, making the Handicap Index® accessible to a wider range of golfers.

Revised Handling of Unplayed Holes

A revised method for handling holes not played will now use an expected score based on the player’s ability rather than a score of net par. This change will produce a more accurate Score Differential™, especially reflecting the growing trend of playing more 9-hole rounds.

Adjustments in Playing Conditions Calculation

The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) has been refined to more frequently adjust for abnormal playing conditions within GB&I, ensuring that scores more accurately reflect the conditions under which they were played.

Enhanced Guidance for Handicap Reviews

The importance of regular Handicap Reviews is emphasized with the introduction of new reporting tools. These tools aim to assist committees in maintaining a Handicap Index® that truly reflects a player’s ability.

Inclusion of Four Ball Better Ball Scores

Four Ball Better Ball scores will now be included in the mandatory scores to be returned for handicapping in GB&I, ensuring all competitions contribute to a player’s handicap in a timely and efficient manner.

Course Handicap™ Adjustments

Aligning with international standards, Course Handicaps will now be calculated relative to par, simplifying the understanding of what it means to "play to handicap."

Precision in Rounding

For competition purposes, the exact, unrounded Course Handicap™ will be used in the Playing Handicap calculation starting April 2024, ensuring greater accuracy.

Team Match Play Allowance Changes

Allowances in team match play events have been adjusted to apply to the difference between team handicaps, refining the fairness and competitive balance of these events.

These updates are designed to make golf more enjoyable and fair for all players, reflecting the evolving ways the game is played around the world. Stay tuned to Golfify for further insights and developments.

Happy golfing!