March 2024Handicapping

mainWith the arrival of spring, be sure to keep the first revision to the World Handicap System™ in mindThe new score-posting season of March 15 - November 14 in the Chicago District means that many CDGA members will return to the golf course sooner rather than later (if only the weather holds up). As you begin playing rounds and posting them for handicap purposes, it’s important to keep in mind the three key changes that came with the first revision to the World Handicap System™(WHS) back in January. Introduced in 2020, the WHS was based upon three key principles: be inclusive, provide a constant measure of ability and reflect the modern game. The recent updates by the USGA and The R&A are meant to keep those tenets intact.1The three major changes that will affect most golfers are:

A lower minimum length for a golf course to obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™: The yardage requirements for these Ratings have been cut in half - 1,500 yards for 18-hole courses and 750 yards for 9-hole courses - allowing those who frequent shorter-length or par-3 courses to count scores toward their Handicap Index®.

A new treatment of 9-hole scores: Speaking of shorter courses and rounds, the latest revision does not require 9–hole scores to be combined with other 9-hole scores, as they will count toward your Handicap Index right away.

Updated approach for holes not played: In 2024 and beyond, when 10-17 holes are played, an 18-hole Score Differential will be determined by adding the player’s Score Differential from the holes played to an expected Score Differential for the number of holes not played (due to darkness, for example).

2As an Allied Golf Association of the USGA, the CDGA is your complete World Handicap System resource. The Association has created an online World Handicap System Resource Hub to provide a variety of content and answer frequently asked questions. Additionally, the USGA has created an easily digestible YouTube playlist with short videos to help better understand these changes.CLICK HERE for the CDGA World Handicap System Resource Hub.CLICK HERE for the 2024 USGA Handicap Explainer Series.March Cover & TOCFRENCH LICK ADAsk CDGA MembersJERSEY MIKES ADRules of GolfCDGA Fantasy GolfNORTHWESTERN MEDICINE ADChicago Golf Show RecapTOUR EDGE ADSoo Ahn ProfileTULLYMORE ADThrowbackCDGA MEMBER GOLF SHOP ADNick Anderson ProfileZERO FRICTION_ADHandicappingGLENVIEW PARK ADSunshine FocusJOHN DEERE ADMember Golf ShopREPUBLIC BANK ADMember Perks