The World Handicap System (WHS) launched in England in 2020 is designed to welcome more players, to make golf easier to understand and to give all golfers a handicap which is portable all around the globe.

It was developed by The R&A and The United States Golf Association (USGA), supported by the world’s handicapping authorities, including CONGU, which represents the four home countries of Great Britain and Ireland.

To make the game more enjoyable, the WHS system includes:

• Course rating and slope rating
• Minimum number of scores to obtain a handicap
• Competitive and recreational scores to count for handicap
• Handicaps will be calculated from an average of recent scores
• Maximum handicap of 54
• Abnormal course and weather conditions adjustments