Virginia Golfer Nov / Dec 2019 | Page 7

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European Golf
Association
Argentine
Golf Association
Council of National
Golf Unions
South African
Golf Association
Virginia Golfer
Golf A R O U N D
Australia
T H E
COMMON
WEALTH
World Handicap System
compiled by CHRIS LANG
Collaboration among
The R&A, USGA,
European Golf
Handicap
Authorities
DAVE
PULK
Association
CLAIMED HIS
and
National
Associations
SECOND SENIOR
OPEN OF VIRGINIA in support of the
Council of National TITLE THIS YEAR.
new system
P.8
Golf Unions
Collaboratio
The R&A,
Handicap Au
and National A
in support
» Virginia golf & the people who make it great new sys
South African
Golf Association
Golf
Australia
6 OPENING DRIVE 8 TOURNAMENT RECAPS 10 NEWS AND NOTES
Moving to a new, unified handicap system for the world,
administered locally by national associations.
World Handicap System
Golfers can
compete, or play
socially, with anyone
on a fair and equal
basis
Moving to a new, unified handicap s
administered locally by national ass
A single measure
A modern, adaptable
Consistent
that represents golf
and easy to use
handicaps for all
ability worldwide,
system across
players within a
producing
worldwide golf
global golf
handicaps that are
cultures
community
A single measure
Golfers can
A modern, adaptable
truly portable
that
represents golf
compete, or play
and easy to use
ability worldwide,
socially, with anyone
system across
producing
on a fair and equal
worldwide golf
handicaps that are
basis
cultures
truly portable
ONE WORLD, ONE SYSTEM
Set to debut in January 2020, the World Handicap System
will ensure equitable competition across the globe
F
BY MICHAEL WALDER
Rules Limited
and the and
United
States Golf a Association.
rights reserved
as R&A
possible
can obtain
maintain
Handicap All Index,
use their
OR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, golfers in the United © 2018
Handicap Index on any golf course around the world, and compete
States have employed the USGA Handicap System to
or play a casual round with anyone on a fair basis.
measure their performance and to compete against
So, what does the World Handicap System mean for golfers in
one another on an equitable basis. In January 2020, the
Virginia? Below are 10 items you need to know before launch:
USGA Handicap System will be retired and a new global set of rules
for handicapping will be adopted by golfers everywhere.
© 2018 R&A Rules Limited and the United S
1 Your Handicap Index may change. When receiving your first
Golf is a global sport, with a single set of playing Rules, a single
set of equipment Rules and a single set of Rules of Amateur Sta-
WHS Handicap Index, you may notice it is slightly different.
tus. The World Handicap System (WHS) will bring together the
Under the USGA Handicap System, a handicap is based on the
six different handicap systems currently in use by golfers around
best 10 out of the most recent 20 scores with a .96 multiplier. The
the world. After several years of collaborating with the existing
WHS will calculate a handicap based on the best eight out of 20
handicapping authorities, the USGA and R&A have led the effort to
scores. The result is a number which is more responsive to good
create a single set of Rules of Handicapping where as many golfers
scores, creating more equity across all handicap ranges.
vsga.org
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