Virginia Golfer Nov / Dec 2019 | Page 7

( ) 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 N OV E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 19 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 5