Dunesman
Active member
You are encountering it here however.I have never encountered it as a topic of conversation at the many clubs I have visited in my County. When I have raised it out of interest, the comments have been primarily re GP and very occasionally (CR-par) and PCC.
And the topic has been given air more widely through publications such as Golf Monthly, National Club Golfer, and some podcasts. And they arent the prime movers, but referencing and coming from a context of the issue being a sufficiently widespread and live topic in British golf clubs. British based ones I will grant. I dont see it as a topic in American golf channels.
So a topic and controversy it is.
And likely amongst only a minority. But unsatisfactory for a minority is no excuse to dismiss it.
A great majority, I will accept, are entirely blind to the issue, and so have no beef with WHS. But that is to be expected. Roughly stating of course, but 10-16 handicappers are probably minimally or not at all affected. And this is a large proportion of amateur golfers. 18-24, a large group also, are probably gaining a little. But people dont really notice when something is to their advantage, and even less likely, be unhappy about it. 25+ a smaller group, and less affected.
But the single figure and plus range, are the disaffected group who feel agrieved. Just because they are only 10-15 % of golfers, the R&A or England Golf or the vested interest implementers of WHS cannot point to the remainder, and say "look at those 85%, they have no problem, so its a success".
If 5 or 10% of amateur golfers feel its unfair, then either it must be addressed, or, the claim that it is fair backed up. Either way, it is time for England golf to communicate openly and publicly on the matter to restore confidence. Doing nothing is absolutely unacceptable.