1. What is the WHS Handicap System?

The World Handicap System (WHS) provides golfers with a unified and consistent handicap index worldwide. The 2020 system calculates handicap based on the best 8 score differentials from your last 20 rounds.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the WHS handicap formula:

Where:

• \( HI \) — Handicap Index (unitless)
• \( SD \) — Score Differential (unitless)
• 8 — Number of best scores used
• 0.96 — Buffer factor to reduce extreme handicap movement

Explanation: The system takes your best 8 score differentials from your last 20 rounds, calculates the average, and applies a 0.96 multiplier to create your handicap index.

3. Importance of Handicap Calculation

Details: A proper handicap index allows golfers of different skill levels to compete fairly. It reflects a player's potential ability rather than average performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your 8 best score differentials from your last 20 rounds. Score differentials should be positive numbers representing your adjusted scores relative to course rating and slope.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How many scores are needed to establish a handicap?
A: You need a minimum of 54 holes (three 18-hole scores or equivalent) to establish your first handicap index.

Q2: How often is the handicap index updated?
A: Handicap indexes are updated daily when new scores are posted, but only if the score is among your best 8 from the last 20 rounds.

Q3: What is a score differential?
A: Score differential is calculated as: (113 / Slope Rating) × (Adjusted Gross Score - Course Rating - PCC adjustment).

Q4: Why use only the best 8 of 20 scores?
A: This focuses on your potential ability rather than average performance, rewarding consistency and peak performance.

Q5: What does the 0.96 multiplier do?
A: It provides a small buffer to prevent handicap from moving too dramatically with one exceptional round.