Preparations for new handicapping underway
Implementation process of the world order is right on track
THE programme crafted to implement a new world order in handicapping, scheduled to come into effect at the beginning of next year and serve as one that will employ a single set of rules for all amateurs across the globe, is right on cue.
This is the word received from the R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA), the custodians of the global game, who added that an education process on its implementation was now underway “with events being held in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, continental Europe, Great Britain and Ireland, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and the United States”.
Commenting on the local standpoint, Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) handicap sub-committee chairman David Thong said they too were preparing for the switch and looked forward to better system.
“We were in Singapore last month for the introductory programme and since the whole process started, we have submitted our own feedback,” he said.
“With regards to the implementation itself, I can safely say that we are ahead in our preparations and will continue to work towards getting it all in order before it comes into effect next January,” added Thong.
In their communique, the R&A and the USGA said a “secure resource portal, accessible via whs. com, has also been launched to provide national associations with a library of materials that they can use to help support their own education efforts.
“Coinciding with this release, the R&A and the USGA are launching a social media video campaign to remind golfers of the eight key features of the new Rules of Handicapping and to reveal more details.”
These features include:
• Minimum number of scores to establish a Handicap Index and maximum Handicap Index of 54.0
• Basis of calculation of handicap index
• Acceptability of scores for handicap purposes
• Course rating and slope rating • Calculation of a playing handicap
• Maximum hole score for handicap purposes
• Adjustments for abnormal playing conditions
• Frequency of updating a handicap index
The world governing bodies added that “significant progress has been made in preparation for the rollout of the new system, which includes building a library of education materials, finalising the new Rules of Handicapping, release of the technical specifications and the continuation of testing.
“Many national associations around the world are busy ensuring that their golf courses are rated in accordance with the Course Rating System and working to update local software platforms so that they are ready to apply the new Rules of Handicapping.
“While many countries will be ready to transition to the WHS early in 2020, given both the magnitude of the change for some jurisdictions and varying seasonality throughout the world, it is anticipated that some will need more time.”
This left R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers to note: “There are many ways in which it is important for golf to modernise and become more appealing for people thinking of taking up the sport and handicapping is clearly one of them.
“The World Handicap System is a major new initiative for the sport which will establish a clearer and more consistent handicapping process for golfers throughout the world.
“We are working closely with national associations, as we do across all our core activities, to ensure they are fully prepared for the introduction of the new system as soon as possible after it becomes available for implementation.”
USGA chief executive officer Mike Davies added: “The World Handicap System is the latest example of our work to make the game more welcoming. Golfers throughout the world will be able to play equitably, measure their success and more fully enjoy and engage with the game.
“After working with national associations across the world on Course Ratings throughout the past 30 years and now the World Handicap System, this monumental collaborative effort will benefit everyone in golf.”
Since its conception, the development of the WHS has focused on three key goals – to encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index, to enable golfers of differing abilities, genders and nationalities to transport their handicap index to any course around the world and compete on a fair basis, and to indicate with sufficient accuracy the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions, the statement added.
The system has been devised following extensive consultation with the six existing handicapping authorities - Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the USGA.
The Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada have also been closely involved in developing the new system.