World Handicap System (WHS) Background and Overview
- What is the World Handicap System all about?
- What are the benefits of the World Handicap System?
- Has the World Handicap System impacted the way the game is played in the United States?
- What does a Handicap Index® represent?
- How do I get a Handicap Index?
- How many scores do I have to post before I get a Handicap Index?
- Someone asks me what my handicap is when we are standing on the first tee. What do I tell them?
- What is peer review and why is it important?
- I recently posted scores, but my Handicap Index has not changed. Why?
Handicap Index® Calculation 101
- What is a Score Differential™ and how is it calculated?
- How is a Handicap Index calculated?
- I always play the same tees at the same course. Is my Handicap Index "established" from that set?
- What is the maximum Handicap Index?
- How often is a Handicap Index updated?
- What is the playing conditions calculation (PCC) and how does it work?
- I forgot to post my score the day I played. Will I still get the PCC adjustment?
- What is an "exceptional score" and what happens when I post one?
- What is my Low Handicap Index™ and why is it displayed in my scoring record?
- Is there a limit on how much a Handicap Index can increase?
- What is the maximum hole score for handicap posting purposes?
- I started a hole but did not complete it. What score do I post?
- I did not play a hole. What score to do I post?
- How many holes must be played to post an acceptable score?
Course Handicap™ and Playing Handicap™
- What is the difference between a Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?
- How do I calculate my Course Handicap and Playing Handicap?
- When players compete from different tees, do we have to make any adjustments?
- Where does rounding occur within the Playing Handicap calculation?
- How do I determine if a score is acceptable for handicap purposes?
- I accidently posted the wrong score - how can I change it?
- I would like to play from a set of tees that are not rated for my gender. How can I post a score?
- Are scores designated as "Competition" scores treated any differently?
- I played a round by myself. Why can't I post the score?
- I don’t know the Course Rating™ and Slope Rating for the tees I played, how can I post the score?
- Can I manually enter the Course Rating, Slope Rating and par for a course I played?
- What are handicap allowances and why are they recommended for various formats of play?
- Do handicap allowances favor a plus handicap player since it moves their Playing Handicap closer to zero (up), while those above scratch move down towards zero?
- When running a multi-round competition, should the Handicap Index be updated between each round?
- Should match play scores be posted even if I do not hole out on every hole?
- Why does the player with the lowest Playing Handicap play at scratch (0) in match play?
- At what age should a golfer be allowed to play the forward tees?
- On which holes do players receive strokes in a competition?
- What scores should be posted as "Competition" scores?
- I had a recent injury and can no longer play to my handicap. Can the Handicap Committee make an adjustment?
- There is a player at my club who always tends to play well during net events and wins often. Are there any provisions in place to ensure that everyone is playing on a fair level?
- What is a Penalty Score? How and when is it applied?
- How does the Handicap Committee determine the stroke index allocation at their course?
- I am a member of multiple clubs, why do I have to designate a "home club"?
You can also contact the USGA Handicap Department by phone at (908)234-2300 extension 5 or by email at hdcpquestions@usga.org.