Date: 12/10/2020

WORLD HANDICAPPING SYSTEM (WHS)

Firstly thank you for participating in the transition by providing your Dates of Birth.

The WHS launches on November 2nd and hopefully this information will be helpful and dispel certain myths.
Each player will have a HANDICAP INDEX ( rather than a handicap) this is calculated by taking an average of your best 8 scores from your recent 20 rounds. Should you not have recorded 20 scores your scoring history will be taken back as far as Jan 2018 to ascertain your Handicap Index.
There is absolutely no need to be worried if you have not recorded 20 scores since Jan 2018 - A lower number of scores will be used from which your average will be taken. Simply put, if you have a CONGU handicap now, you will have a WHS handicap in November. The same principle will apply if you have returned fewer than 8 scores from the start of the new system.
England Golf has ascertained that the vast majority of golfers will see little change between their new handicap index and their current handicap. One of the myths of the new system is that you must record your score each and every time you play. This is not the case. It will however be mandatory to submit all singles competition scores. You will be able to enter "General Play" scores home or away, if you wish, the same as supplementary scores are currently done , having pre-registered that you are going to do this before commencing your round.

COURSE RATING & SLOPE SYSTEM

COURSE RATING (current SSS) - represents the difficulty of a golf course for a scratch golfer (0 handicap).

SLOPE RATING represents the relative difficulty of a course for a bogey golfer the handicaps used are 20 for gents and 24 for ladies, compared to a scratch golfer.

A Slope Rating can be anywhere between 55 (very easy) and 155 ( very hard ). 113 is the neutral value that is used in Handicap calculations.

Chatsworth G C Course and Slope Ratings are;

Tee White Length 5284 yds Course Rating 68.7 Slope Rating 108
Tee Yellow Length 5142 yds Course Rating 65.0 Slope Rating 106
Tee Red Length 4622 yds Course Rating 67.1 Slope Rating 110

HCP

Before any player starts their round they must convert their Handicap Index into a Course Handicap. This will determine how many shots they will receive when playing a golf course from any set of tees.

HCP stands for;
H = Handicap
C = Course Handicap
P = Play Golf

Handicap Index ( currently exact playing handicap at home course )
The measure of a player's demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty i.e. 113.

Course Handicap ( Current playing handicap for course to be played )

Course Handicap = Handicap Index X ( Slope Rating) / 113

The number of strokes a player receives is determined by the Slope Rating.
Example - A golfers course handicap is determined by multiplying their Handicap Index by the Slope Rating and dividing by 113.
i.e. A male golfer playing off Chatsworth White tees with a Handicap Index of 18.6 is calculated as :
Course Handicap = 18.6 X (108 / 113) = 17.7 rounded to 18.

Another myth is that we have to carry calculators around , don't worry, we will be posting Slope calculating charts in the Club Room and adjacent to the first tee from November.

Chatsworth frequently asked Questions :

If I submit a no return (NR), will I get a 0.1 increase?

There will be no 0.1 increases under the WHS . A hole that is started but not completed will be recorded as nett double bogey. Any holes not played will be allocated as a nett par, and added to your record.
An incomplete round will only be acceptable for handicap purposes if you have played 10 holes (for an 18 hole score).

Do I need to play a certain number of rounds per year ?

No, scores will not expire, but your handicap index is only valid while you are a member of Chatsworth or any other affiliated club.

How do I update my Handicap Index?

Every time you submit a score, your Handicap Index will, automatically update at the end of the days play to reflect the most recent 20 scores.

Will buffer zones and annual reviews still exist?

Annual handicap reviews will, but buffer zones will not.

How will Chatsworth prevent handicap manipulation?

Reliance on the integrity of our members will not change. However, the rules of Handicapping include safeguards to protect the field and to mitigate against any player that might try to circumvent the rules in order to gain an advantage.

Should you have further questions, please contact your ever available handicap secretaries.