WHS and recent comment by Dean Knuth

[cliveb]

A recent article by Dean Knuth in Golf Digest (https://www.golfdigest.com/story/voices-the-flaw-in-the-new-world-handicap-system-dean-knuth) has got me confused.

He states that in the old USGA system your course handicap was calculated thus:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113)
but under the WHS, the course handicap is calculated thus:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating - par)

This is news to me. I was under the impression that under the WHS, the formula was indeed just:
Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113)

It seems highly likely that Knuth knows better than I do, but I'd like some kind of confirmation from those in the know and if anyone can give a rationale for that extra component in the formula.

 

[rulefan]

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) will be used in England but the manual has not yet been published
The USGA have gone for Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating - par) . They are the first to publish as they are supposed to go live on Monday.

The choice of formula is one of the regional/national options.
The formula is only used to determine the Course Handicap. the par element plays no part in maintaining a Handicap Index

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) will be used in England but the manual has not yet been published
The USGA have gone for Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating - par) . They are the first to publish as they are supposed to go live on Monday.

The choice of formula is one of the regional/national options

Very complicated. I just say, "Give my two on each side."

 

[cliveb]

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) will be used in England but the manual has not yet been published
The USGA have gone for Course Handicap = Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating - par) .

Ah right - understood. Thanks.

 

[duncan mackie]

Ah right - understood. Thanks.

Basically using that course handicap simply normalises the output to par ie 36 points or net par

In many ways that makes more sense to many people (as evidenced by continual discussion over having shot 36 points, or net par, as a natural target.

My only concern is that DK is of the opinion that it's more than that (and I took his comments to mean that it's more than potentially rounding variation - which exists either way and isn't therefore an issue). Then again his other comments seem to suggest that he is more than slightly sensitive to any change to the previous USGA system.

 

[cliveb]

Then again his other comments seem to suggest that he is more than slightly sensitive to any change to the previous USGA system.

Might that be because he was instrumental in that system being adopted? They're messing about with his baby!

 

[rulefan]

Might that be because he was instrumental in that system being adopted? They're messing about with his baby!

He has always been very sensitive to criticism of his pet.

 

[RulesGuy]

Apologies if this is a bit off topic or if it has already been answered elsewhere but is there likely to be an adjustment of handicap for fourballs in a similar way to that proposed for singles stroke play (95%)?

 

[rulefan]

Apologies if this is a bit off topic or if it has already been answered elsewhere but is there likely to be an adjustment of handicap for fourballs in a similar way to that proposed for singles stroke play (95%)?

Yes, although they won't qualify for handicapping purposes.
CONGU is suggesting
4 ball stroke & stableford - 85%
4 ball par/bogey - 90%
4 ball match - 95%

The USGA has recommended 4 ball match as 90%

 

[RulesGuy]

Thanks for that

 

[Old Skier]

Yes, although they won't qualify for handicapping purposes.
CONGU is suggesting
4 ball stroke & stableford - 85%
4 ball par/bogey - 90%
4 ball match - 95%

The USGA has recommended 4 ball match as 90%

So who's going to win. I thought it was supposed to be a world system.

 

[Colin L]

Who's going to win what?

 

[rulefan]

So who's going to win. I thought it was supposed to be a world system.

From the first day WHS was announced, it was always made clear that there would be traditional national variations.
Over time (unspecified) it was expected that many/all of these would gradually be eliminated. They are all pretty minor anyway.

 

[Colin L]

So who's going to win. I thought it was supposed to be a world system.

To add to Rulefan's comment, what handicap allowance is applied to a match is of no consequence to anyone other than the players in that match and in areas where match play/fourball scores are returned for handicapping purposes, has no bearing on the calculation of the handicap indexes of the players.

The essential universality of the WHS lies in a) the method of calculating your handicap index which is the same worldwide; b) the basing of your handicap index along with everyone else's worldwide on a standard course; c) the adjustment of the handicap index for the course you are going to play by a rating for that course which is based on worldwide criteria; and d) the processing of your score and re-calculation of your handicap index in terms of the standard course.

 

[rulefan]

Just to add. The allowance used depends on where the match is played regardless of where the players' home is.

 

[nickjdavis]

From the first day WHS was announced, it was always made clear that there would be traditional national variations.
Over time (unspecified) it was expected that many/all of these would gradually be eliminated. They are all pretty minor anyway.

The differences may all be "pretty minor" but the fact that differences exist, will, in this internet age, cause all manner of confusion as players read stuff on the internet that doesnt apply to their "region".

I can imagine loads of comittees having confused members waving printouts off the internet in their faces asking why we played the one arm tied behind the back scramble off 9/13th's handicap when it says here it should be played off 5/7ths?

 

[rulefan]

I think you misjudge the intelligence of players and their current interest in the details. I assume you are in the UK. The CONGU version has not yet been published. I would be very surprised that anyone is even aware of the Australian, South African or Argentinian versions
When everyone in England (say) gets access to the England Golf version they will soon get used to the specifics. I wonder how many in the CONGU area have any idea of or are concerned about the variations between the current versions for England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The only place I have seen discussions about the variations are a very small number of bloggers who populate specialist golf forums like this.
In fact I reckon there are less than 50 posters who visit the Rules section on this site.

 

[nickjdavis]

Yes I am in the UK. Setting the subject of my fellow golfers intelligence to one side, I certainly am not misjudging the average persons ability to search the internet and find a link to information that is not relevant to them!!

 

[rulefan]

As an 'involved' person, I am often asked questions about the rules or handicapping. It was notable that prior to Jan 1 2019 there were very few questions from players about the new rules even though I had run presentations in the preceding months. In the case of WHS, apart from discussions with the h'cap committee and at county seminars, no one has tackled me about it.
I have offered to do presentations to groups within my club (eg seniors, rabbits, casual fiddle/swindles/roll-ups, ladies). All have said 'Yes please but leave it til just before we change, no one is interested yet'.
I reckon all those discussing the topic in blogs or forums are either already actively involved in handicapping, those just getting to grips with the actual start (eg USA with GHIN problems) or inveterate golf forum members as I mentioned above.

Back to allowances, I suspect that a very large proportion of players only know the current allowances when they check the back of their card or entry sheet. And most of them are not aware of the CONGU change of a few years ago.

 

[nickjdavis]

In the case of WHS, apart from discussions with the h'cap committee and at county seminars, no one has tackled me about it.
.

...and yet I hear regular golfers talking about the WHS and quoting misconceptions every time I am at my club.....and they all ask me questions along the lines of..."is it true that...." or "I've heard that...."

The same thing happened with the 2019 rule changes....you would have thought the world was caving in during 2018 when players first "learned" they were going to be able to drop a ball on the fairway closest to where their ball went out of bounds.

Regarding allowances....all our members are acutely aware of them and still complain about the change to full handicap difference for singles matchplay....and when did that happen...something like 12 years ago if memory serves me correctly.

I guess that our experiences with fellow golfers are at different ends of the spectrum Rulefan.