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WGGC - World Handicap System 2026 |
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HANDICAP INDEX (HI) This will be the new term for ‘Handicap’ and it will be the Handicap you use to enter all competitions and play golf courses. All golfers will be provided with a HANDICAP INDEX (HI) when the WHS comes into operation. This handicap index (HI) will be calculated from the player’s best 8 differentials of his/her last 20 rounds multiplied by 96%, and will be shown to one decimal point. The Multiplier is a mathematical balancing factor, the purpose of which is to help to achieve national results patterns for net competitions that are as equitable as possible
COURSE HANDICAP A player will be allocated a course handicap which is dependent on the golf course being played and tee markers s/he opts to play from. Each course will offer a different slope and course rating which will affect a player’s course handicap. Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating / 113 + (Course Rating – Par) i.e. 12.6(HI) x 144(Slope Rating) / 113 + (72.4 – 72) = 16.45. Course Handicap is 16. New rules form April 2024 will adopt course rating minus par for the match day handicap
SLOPE RATING Slope Rating represents the relative difficulty of a course from a specific set of tees for a 'bogey golfer' compared to a 'scratch' golfer. A course with many hazards, long carries and thick rough will have a higher slope rating because these features are more of a challenge to bogey golfers. A golfer's handicap for a specific course is determined by multiplying the player's Handicap Index by the ratio of the course Slope Rating divided by the 'neutral' slope of 113.
COURSE RATING Course Rating replaces Standard Scratch (SSS) in the new system and represents the score that a scratch golfer is expected to achieve on the course. When the WHS comes into effect the Course Ratings will be to the nearest 0.1.
ADJUSTED SCORE For handicap purposes only, any big scores on a hole are rounded down to Net Double Bogey |
WGGC SPECIFIC RULES & GUIDELINES (Updated after AGM in 2026) Click here to see our legacy handicapping rules.
Your new handicap Index as we move to the new system, generated from specialised software and taking into account your best 4 from 10. (drop your 11th score) Changed from 5 out of 13
Your Handicap Index (HI) has been calculated from your best 4 differentials from the last 10 rounds multiplied by 100%, and is shown to one decimal point. (Amber column above) (Equitable Gross Score – Course Rating) x 113/Course Slope. i.e. (84 – 72.3) X 113/142 = 9.3
PLAYING HANDICAP (Updated after AGM in 2026) The handicap to be used in a specific competition on a specific course. We apply a rule of 90% to calculate your match day handicap. It is shown on the match day section of the website and printed on the match day card. This has changed from the 2026 season from 95% (Which means generally each player will receive a lower handicap on the day, than they did in previous years.
SEASON & RULES (Updated after AGM in 2026)
In order to review each golfers handicap we have created a specific formula that highlights the following areas that if not met trigger a review of the individuals handicap after the previous season.
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