WHS Change Summary – Course Handicap Calculation and Application

by | May 31, 2020 | Rules

USGA Handicap System (pre-2020):  A Course Handicap represents the number of strokes a player receives in relation to the Course Rating of the tees being played. The formula is:

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Rating / 113.

Rule Change for 2020:  A Course Handicap will represent the number of strokes a player receives in relation to the Par of the tees being played. The formula will include a Course Rating minus Par adjustment:

Course Handicap = Handicap Index × (Slope Rating / 113) + (Course Rating – Par)

Reasons for Change:

  • Under the USGA Handicap System, when players compete from different tees, a Course Handicap adjustment based on the Course Rating difference must take place to make the game fair
    • This adjustment is necessary because players competing from different tees are competing with different benchmarks (different Course Ratings).
    • This adjustment, identified and explained in Section 3-5, has generated confusion and there have been challenges with its implementation over the years.
  • Applying Course Rating minus Par within the Course Handicap calculation will allow players to compete from different tees without any adjustment – unless a difference in Par exists.
  • Under the USGA Handicap System, it is common for Course Handicap values to change very little from tee to tee.
    • Confusion exists because the Course Handicap value only accounts for the number of strokes needed to play to the respective Course Rating
  • Beginning in 2020, Course Handicap values will change more from tee to tee, as they will represent the number of strokes to play to Par.
  • Par is a term that resonates with golfers, so setting Par as the benchmark for a Course Handicap adds simplicity to handicapping.
    • Players will be able to determine their Target Scores (the score they’ll shoot if they play to their handicap) by simply adding their Course Handicap + Par.

A score of Net Par will be used for holes not played, and the maximum hole score for handicap purposes will be a Net Double Bogey. Having a Course Handicap that is relative to Par will ensure that the correct number of strokes are received and applied for both procedures.