WHS Changes 1st Apr

March 26, 2024

World Handicap System (WHS) – Changes effective from 1st April 2024

On 1st April several changes are being introduced to the World Handicap System. The one most relevant to all club golfers is the way Course Handicaps are calculated.

Handicap Indices will stay unchanged, unless the player submits a card that changes their individual Handicap Index.

  1. The way Course Handicaps are calculated will change, to reflect the difference between Course Rating and Par (referred to as CR-Par). In the case of Chobham this will have the following effect:

Ladies’ Red Tees: the difference between CR (70) and Par (69) is +1.0, so 1 will be added to the ladies’ Course Handicaps.

Men’s Yellow Tees: the difference between CR (66.8) and Par (69) is -2.2, so 2 will generally be deducted from the men’s Course Handicaps.

Men’s White Tees: the difference between CR (68.6) and Par (69) is -0.4, so generally there will be no change.

New Course Rating Tables will be provided and the HowDidiDo software updated to enable players to check any change to their Course Handicap.

  1. This means that after 1st April the “play to handicap score” will be 36 Stableford points off all tees.
  2. Because all Chobham tees are Par 69 there will be no shot adjustments required when playing in mixed tee/gender competitions, as the current Course Rating differences will already be reflected in the Course Handicaps – see 1. above.
  3. The way in which allowances are calculated in match play will change on 1st April. The details will be prominently displayed on the relevant noticeboards.
  4. The England Golf website has details for players and clubs on all the changes coming into effect on 1st April, including a 3-page “2024 – Updates for Club Members”. Search England Golf / WHS / 2024 WHS Update.