On April 8, 2024, changes to the World Handicap System (WHS) for the period 2024-2027 will come into effect. These are not major changes, but rather minor adjustments to improve the system's functionality. Most European federations will also implement these changes starting in April.
The following is a summary of the changes for the period 2024-2027 in the World Handicap System and the World Course Rating System (WCRS):
WORLD HANDICAPS SYSTEM
9-hole results
Previously, a second round of Net Par +1 stroke (equivalent to 17 Stableford points) was added. Now, a second round will be added based on the player's expected score, derived from a formula based on the player's handicap.
This change is made for two reasons: to simplify the process (the previous one, although seemingly simple, had many scenarios to consider) and to be in line with the process for completing incomplete laps.
Incomplete laps
When there is a valid reason to cancel a competition and some players have incomplete rounds, a procedure is introduced to complete the round. This involves adding the player's expected score to the remaining holes (using the same formula as for 9 holes). This would only be valid for rounds that have completed at least 9 holes and with authorization from the RFEG (Royal Spanish Golf Federation).
Best Ball
It is incorporated into the general text of the World Handicap System Rules (in the previous period it was applied in a testing phase) and a third criterion is added for the round to be valid: that the round calculated by the procedure reaches at least 36 stableford points.
ASC
The parameters (but not the procedure) are changed so that the ASC is more sensitive and can better reflect changes in game conditions.
Competition Committees
The measures that Competition Committees can take, especially for elite tournaments, to investigate the Activity Records of registered participants and reject those that may have discrepancies between results in competition and results outside of competition are clarified (see next point)
Out-of-Competition Results (RCR) – Coming Soon
Since the implementation of the SMH (Selective Handicap Management), Out-of-Competition Results have become another option for players to submit valid scores. While all of Europe has liberalized them since 2020, Spain still has restrictions on RFCs (Real-Time Competitive Scores). This is because handicap is still used as a tool for accessing certain privileges (Spanish Championships, professional status, refereeing, courses, etc.), and until a replacement is developed, it cannot be liberalized.
Together with the Youth Committee, a system (validating laps) has been developed that has been successful since 2014. This system is being expanded this year so that it can be used by any Committee (RFEG, Regional or even club) to determine access to the aforementioned privileges.
Short Field Handicap – Coming Soon
Following the implementation of the SMH, the results obtained on short courses were studied. 80% of the results were comparable to those on longer courses. Within the remaining 20%, approximately half of the players performed better on short courses than on long courses, and vice versa.
For that 20% of players, a system is established that reflects their best/worst ability on short courses and compensates for the results so that the handicaps of that 20% of players can be comparable to the remaining 80%.
The mechanism will be simple and will annually measure the difference in play of each player in short and long field and apply that difference to the results in short field to equalize them with those of long field.
Appendix Z – Upcoming Implementation
Until now, players with handicaps above 26.4 could not increase their handicap after submitting a score, thus maintaining their lowest handicap within that range. This will change, and handicaps above 26.4 will now be able to increase, just like other handicaps.
GLOBAL FIELD VALUATION SYSTEM
Minimum distance to assess a field
Until now, the minimum distance for a course to be rated was set at 3,000 yards (2,750 meters), and this has been reduced to 1,500 yards (1,250 meters). In Spain, all courses, even those shorter than 1,250 meters, are rated and included in the SMH (Spanish Golf Course Rating).
Expiration of measurements
Until now, the SMVC did not establish an expiration date for field measurements. From now on, measurements should be reviewed every 10 years.
Settings and Tables
Some settings and tables have been modified with the dual purpose of simplifying the process and improving the evaluation.
RULES OF THE HANDICAPS SYSTEM
Access the "Rules of the Handicap System" publication below in the Related Links section. Starting with this edition, books are no longer printed in physical format and are only available electronically.
TECHNICAL ARTICLES
Article I: Adjusted Gross Profit
Article III: Adjustments to the Level Played
Article IV: Calculation of the average
Article V: Limitation of handicap increases
Article VIII: Percentage in competitions
EXPLANATORY VIDEO
DOUBTS
For questions related to the World Handicap System, please contact the Courses and Handicap Committee by email: handicap@rfegolf.es
