The first updates to the World Handicap System™ (WHS™) went into effect in January 2024 as part of an ongoing review by the USGA and R&A of the Rules of Handicapping™ and the Course Rating System™.
One year later, here are the top questions golfers are asking related to the changes:
What happens when I play 9 holes and post that score?
When you post a 9-hole score, an 18-hole Score Differential™ is calculated based on the 9-hole Score Differential from your round and the expected Score Differential based on your Handicap Index® at the time the round was played.
Over 14 million 9-hole scores were posted in 2024, and the number of 9-hole scores posted continues to increase year over year. This method allows the Handicap Index of all players, whether they played a 9- or 18-hole round, to be updated the day after a score is posted.
Why is an expected Score Differential now used as opposed to the previous method of combining two actual 9-hole scores?
There are two key reasons:
- This method benefits the many players who regularly play and post 9-hole rounds because it is more responsive. Players do not have to wait for another 9-hole score to be posted for an 18-hole Score Differential to be calculated.
- This method also provides a better indicator of how a player will normally perform over 18 holes on a given day when compared to combining 9-hole scores from different days and under different playing conditions. The previous method had two main drawbacks:
- It often resulted in more volatility in the Handicap Index, as it was highly dependent on the order in which scores were posted.
- It was common for two good 9-hole scores to be combined, producing an 18-hole Score Differential that was better than any of the player’s 18-hole scores made over 18 consecutive holes. The impact was an artificially low Handicap Index.
It’s also important to note that players who signed up for a Handicap Index in recent years are posting 9-hole scores at a much higher rate than in the past. Over 25% of scores posted by new male players and 50% of scores posted by new female players in 2024 were 9-hole rounds, so this method better suits today’s golfer.
Can I still post my score if I have to end my round early unexpectedly?
As long as nine of the holes played have a corresponding 9-hole Course Rating and Slope Rating, your score is acceptable for handicap purposes. When you go to enter your scores, you will just have to select the ‘hole-by-hole’ option – this is required when anything from 10 to 17 holes are played to allow a Score Differential to be calculated based on the holes played, along with an expected Score Differential for the number of holes not played. That expected Score Differential, like with scores posted from 9-hole rounds, is driven by the player’s Handicap Index on the day of play.
The tees at my home course are 2,300 yards over 18 holes. Do those scores count toward my Handicap Index?
We have good news for you! As of January 2024, courses that measure at least 750 yards for 9 holes and 1,500 yards for 18 holes are eligible for a Course Rating and Slope Rating. So, if your course has been rated by your local Allied Golf Association, scores from the tees you play regularly are acceptable for handicap purposes.