The introduction of the New World Handicap System, designed to establish single, common rules for handicap control and to provide a more consistent measure of the ability of players from different regions of the world, remains on schedule for 2020.

The training has begun with events in Singapore, South Africa, Great Britain and Ireland, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Continental Europe, Canada, the Caribbean and the United States.

A website has also been launched, accessible via whs.com, to offer national associations a range of different materials they can use to support their training efforts.

At the same time, the R&A and USGA will release a video on social media to remind golfers of the eight key points of the new Rules and to provide further details. This includes:

. A minimum number of results is required to establish a Handicap, and the maximum Handicap is 54.0.

. The basis for calculating the Handicap

. The validity of results for the purposes of handicap control

. Field Valuation and Slope Value

. Calculating a Playing Handicap

. Maximum score on a hole for handicap control purposes

. Adjustments for abnormal gaming conditions

. The frequency of the Handicap update

The development of the new system is well advanced. This includes the preparation of training materials, the finalization of the new Handicap Rules, the presentation of the technical specifications, and the execution of various tests.

Many national associations around the world are verifying that their courses are rated according to the Course Rating System and are updating their software programs to implement the New Handicap Rules. Many countries will be ready for the transition by early 2020, but given the scale of the change in some areas and the differences between golf seasons around the world, it is expected that others will take longer.

Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, said: “There are many important ways to modernize golf and make it more appealing to those thinking of taking it up. Naturally, handicap control is one of them. The World Handicap System is an important new initiative for the sport that will establish a more uniform handicap control process for all players worldwide.”

“We are working closely with the associations, through all our efforts, competitions and development work, to ensure that they are well prepared for the introduction of the new system as soon as possible when it becomes available.”

Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA, stated: “We hope that all players understand the benefit of obtaining a handicap – not only to play on a level playing field with any other player, anywhere, but also as a tool to measure their success. By making it easier to obtain and maintain a handicap, we hope to make golf more appealing and less intimidating around the world.”

From its inception, the development of the SMH has focused on three main objectives: to encourage as many players as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap, to enable players of different abilities, genders, and nationalities to tailor their handicap to any course in the world and compete fairly, and to predict with sufficient accuracy the result a player is reasonably capable of achieving on any course in the world under normal playing conditions.

The system was developed after consultation with the six existing handicap authorities: Golf Australia, CONGU in the UK and Ireland, the EGA, SAGA (South Africa), AAG (Argentina), and the USGA. The Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada were also involved in the new development.

An international survey of 52,000 golfers showed overwhelming support for the Handicap System, with 761% in favor and 221% stating they were willing to consider its benefits. Focus groups were also established in various regions worldwide to gather detailed feedback on the new system. All of this contributed to the finalization of the Handicap Rules.

The World Handicap System will unify the world of golf under a single handicap control system and will be governed by the USGA and the R&A with the support of the six existing handicap authorities.

As a continuation of its support for the Rules of Golf worldwide, Rolex has committed to supporting the efforts of the R&A and the USGA to introduce the World Handicap System.

SOURCE: R&A and USGA