The World Handicap System was implemented in this country back in November 2020, meaning we have now had almost two complete seasons to witness the effect on handicaps and scoring of a system based on average scoring versus the previous system based on aggregate scoring.
A principal objective of the WHS has been for golfers’ handicaps to be more representative of their current playing ability, as the system allows handicaps to be more fluid with calculation based on average scoring. That should mean that, across the handicap categories, players have a handicap that is fair and representative, making competition more equal.
Stableford Scoring Almost Equal
Data collated and provided to Golf Monthly by HowDidiDo – Europe’s largest network of golfers – confirms that WHS is achieving that goal. The average Stableford points score in competition has gone from dramatically favouring those in the lower categories pre WHS to being almost equal (if anything favouring the mid to high handicappers.)
The table below and the graph above shows there’s now just under two points between the average total scored in competition between players in all categories. That has reduced from almost 13 points difference in the 2020 season (the last before WHS was implemented.)
(Image credit: HowDidiDo)
Not Such Good News For Category 1
Notably, the average score of Category 1 golfers has come down by over 4.5 points pre to post WHS implementation.
Golf Monthly has been aware of anecdotal evidence and has received correspondence from lower handicap golfers who are concerned that the new system hurts their chances of winning in club handicap events. We wanted to try to prove or disprove if this is the case so went to HowDidiDo for some more hard data.
We wanted to see what had happened to the average handicap of winners by category. It’s been suggested that the handicaps of the lowest handicap golfers have, on average, come down with WHS owing to the more consistent nature of their play and the likelihood that they will have eight or more solid rounds within their last counting…
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