Before we look at the next branch of information here are the Course and Slope Ratings for the Chase Golf Club: Men’s- White tees, Course Rating: 73.2 – Slope Rating: 133 Men’s – White (Shorter 12th) tees, Course Rating: 73.0 – Slope Rating: 133 Men’s Yellow tees, Course Rating: 71.8 – Slope Rating: 132 Men’s Purple tees, Course Rating: 70.2 – Slop Rating: 124 Women’s Red tees, Course Rating: 74.9 – Slope Rating: 134
A look at the World Handicap System in more detail: Part 1 of 3 When does the new World Handicap System begin? Any golfer with a current CONGU handicap will be given a World Handicap System index from Monday, 2nd November 2020.
Is the new golf handicap system mandatory? Yes. In Great Britain and Ireland, the current handicapping system, which is maintained by CONGU, will be replaced by one single global system. It is designed so golfers will be able to maintain a handicap index and use this to compete on a fair and equal basis across any format, on any course around the world.
How will my new handicap be calculated? Start with your handicap index. This will form the basis for your course and playing handicap. Every score in a player’s handicap record will be converted to a score differential by multiplying the difference between your gross score and the course rating by 113, and dividing by the slope rating of the tees that were played. That figure then goes forward into a pool of the player’s most recent scores. The best eight are then selected and a simple average is taken to calculate every golfer’s handicap index. Then World Handicap System will do all these calculations.
Is my golf handicap likely to change much with the new system? While testing the new system, England Golf found that the handicap index of most players was within one stroke of their existing CONGU handicap.
What’s the difference between “course handicap” and “playing handicap”? Slope rating and course rating are used to determine your course handicap, which represents the number of strokes a player receives from any given set of tees prior to the terms of the competition. If a handicap allowance is applied, the adjusted course handicap is defined as a playing handicap, which represents the number of strokes a player gives or receives for the competition.
How will my course handicap be calculated? You will either be provided with a “handicap calculation conversion table” or you will be directed to England Golf’s website, where Golf Club slope ratings will be listed and a calculator provided. You will also be able to do it manually by multiplying your handicap index by the course’s slope rating, divided by the “neutral” slope index of 113.
Why is the neutral slope 113? The USGA considers this to be a course of “standard playing difficulty”, though England Golf claim the average GB&I slope rating is 125. What is a golf course slope rating? It indicates the standard difficulty of a golf course for the “bogey golfer” relative to a scratch player. Every set of tees will have a slope rating and those numbers will vary between 55 and 155. The higher the slope rating the greater the difference expected between the scores of those scratch and bogey golfers. Your handicap index will change depending on the course you play.
What is a “bogey golfer”? This is the term used when carrying out a course rating. It represents the ability of a golfer (20 h/c for men, 24 h/c for women) on a course of average difficulty.
Does a higher slope rating mean a golf course is more difficult? No. A course rating, which indicates the number of strokes the scratch golfer is expected to take under normal playing conditions, is the core evaluation of a course’s difficulty. It’s important to remember that the course rating affects a player’s handicap index far more than the slope number.
Do I need to play a certain number of rounds per year? Scores will not expire, but your handicap index will only be valid if you’re a member of an affiliated golf club. To maintain an accurate handicap index, it is recommended that players return over 20 scores over a two year period.
What if you are new to golf? How would you obtain a handicap Index? By submitting scores of 3 x 18 holes, 6 x 9 holes or a combination of both. Revisions will be daily, so once they’ve submitted scorecards totalling 54 holes or more, an initial handicap index is awarded and based on an adjusted average relative to the number of scores that have been submitted. This will continue until a fully-developed handicap with 20 scores on record is achieved.
Will I be able to play of any tee? You will be able to return scores from any tee that has a course and slope rating for your gender.
WHS Part 2 will be included in the next email. |