There was much trepidation (and even anger) among club golfers when the World Handicap System (WHS) was launched back in 2020, which radically transformed a fundamental part of the game, but have views softened now that we've passed the half decade mark since it appeared?
Like anything in this age of polarisation, opinions are divided, but there are several recurring complaints that emerge.
The WHS was created to further democratise the sport, making it easier for all golfers to secure a playing handicap, allowing them to cross borders and simplify the process of visiting a wide variety of courses.
Why Are Golfers Still Angry About The World Handicap System?
Now, for those of you who play regular competition golf, handicaps are always a point of contention, but this is an issue that only appears to have hardened since the WHS made its debut.
We wanted to understand just where everyday golfers stand and that's why we gathered views on social media, and it was fascinating to read the hundreds of comments that were posted.
Many - but not all - responses were negative, which might be a sign that angry voices are often the loudest, with frustrations expressed about high handicappers dominating medals being a frequent problem.
The maximum possible handicap of 54 is something that many keen golfers find inexplicable, although it's important to reiterate that clubs themselves can place limits on eligible handicaps for their tournaments, while others don't believe the apparent "unified" nature of the WHS has been successful, with differing rules and interpretations existing in various parts of the world.
General Play Scores Are Extremely Contentious
But there is one factor that dominated above the rest - the existence of General Play scores, which can count towards your WHS Handicap Index and are not recorded under competitive scrutiny that would have previously been the case.
I'm based in Scotland, so this is what Scottish Golf states with regards to eligibility of General Play rounds being submitted for handicapping purposes.
"Under WHS you can submit General Play scores to count towards your Handicap Index at any time over a measured course using the Scottish Golf App.
"In order to submit a General Play score, you must:
- Register for your General Play score before you tee-off.
- Follow the Rules of Golf and hole out every putt.
- Play with at least one other person.
- Play on a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating.
- Play during an active season.
- Ensure the round is in accordance with Rules of Handicapping.
"After your round you must submit your General Play score while you are in the vicinity of the golf club/course on the same day you have played in order for it to count towards your WHS Handicap Index."
Should General Play Scores Be Limited or Discounted?
The success and fairness of any handicapping system is built upon the honesty of golfers themselves. In theory, opening the door to General Play scores means that your Handicap Index should be more reflective of current ability, but a significant number of golfers have told us that they believe these scores are often problematic.
Kevin Allum said: "The amount of General Play cards are flooding the system and competition percentages are very generous towards the higher handicaps."
Michael Jaggs, who was overall positive about the WHS, added: "The system can be manipulated, so maybe only allow five General Play rounds to be the norm, but it’s much fairer than the old system of handicapping."
Chris Carson was keen to address a couple of points: "A common fix involves clubs imposing a maximum playing handicap to mitigate the risk of "artificially high" indexes diminishing the spirit of competition. It's not a silver bullet and could exclude those with genuinely attained handicaps. I am a bit old school in believing that your index should be derived from competitive rounds only but appreciate that's not realistic nowadays. I would suggest that a maximum of two GP scores make up your best eight."
Numerous golfers stated that they would like to see only General Play scores that bring down your Handicap Index being included within the calculation. Richard Levett said: "General scores should only be counted if it reduces your handicap. The only time your handicap should go up is if you are playing in a medal/official competition, I think it would stop a lot of cheating."
Trevor Parling commented: "As people have said, GP should only be used for a reduction."
Some have gone even further and would simply choose to remove General Play scores entirely from consideration.
Eamon Walker said: "No General Play rounds. Too difficult to scrutinise, therefore makes it easy for bandits to build a handicap."
Continuing that sentiment, Chris Speake added: "Being able to use General Play rounds to get your handicap up is a free ticket to cheats."
James Birkbeck said: "Keep the system but get rid of General Play rounds, too many golfers off false handicaps purely because of these rounds. Take the casual rounds off a lot of players and handicap goes up significantly!"
Louise Willson wants to see some limitations applied: "I'd like to see number of counting General Play rounds capped within the 20 rounds. Too easy to manipulate them if your handicap committee isn't on the ball."
No Handicap System Can Please Every Golfer
Offering a balanced view, Geoff Snowden stated: "I would make a change and say GP scores can only be used to reduce handicaps. Any system is open to fiddling, just play badly and your handicap can increase in any system. Clubs have the power to restrict handicaps in their own competitions."
However, Robert Tidswell was keen to say that he views General Play scores as a positive: "I put a card in for General Play every time I play. My handicap seams balanced. My playing partners do the same. I think it’s a good idea."
Stephen Griffths is another golfer in favour of the WHS who could accept some minor adjustments: "Great system. Only change I would make is set a max number of GP scores per week so that handicaps take a long time to manipulate. The people saying only use GP for coming down don’t seem to realise that this therefore excludes non club members and a lot of the rest of the world where weekly medals are not really normal."
You will never please everyone, clearly, there is no perfect solution, but it would appear that placing limits on General Play scores as it relates to calculating the Handicap Index of golfers would go a long way to satisfying those disgruntled voices out there, potentially seeing their overall impression of the World Handicap System itself being changed for the better.
