WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM INFORMATION
This page contains the following information:-
– 26/04/2025 : Pre-Season Handicapping Update
– 01/04/2024 : Rules of Handicapping Update
26th April 2025 : Pre-Season Handicapping Update
1. ACCESS TO HANDICAP INFORMATION
Around the Clubhouse and in the Locker Rooms there are notices showing a QR Code which you can use to find out vital information to help you with your golf, including:-
- Course Ratings (18 holes & 9 holes)
- Handicap Calculator (select 18 or 9 holes, select competition format & competition and it will show you your Playing Handicap)
- Local Rules
- Club Information
- Stroke Allowance (find out what % handicap allowance is for each type of competition e.g. Individual Stableford is 95%)
- External Links to New Mills Golf Club, Derbyshire County Golf & England Golf websites
If you would like to access the above information you can can also use the following link – Read More
2. CALCULATING A PLAYING HANDICAP
It is important to note that YOU CANNOT do a simple calculation to work out your Playing Handicap. This is because the actual calculation is too complicated.
For example, in a Betterball, YOU CANNOT simply multiply your Course Handicap by 85 and then divide by 100 to calculate your Playing Handicap.
Therefore YOU MUST use the Playing Handicap Conversion Tables, which can be found either:-
– in the Locker Rooms & the Pro’s Shop,
– via the above-mentioned QR Code,
– via the “Course” menu on this website (or click on the following links):-
Ladies WHS Playing Handicap Tables
Mens WHS Playing Handicap Tables
Examples of popular Handicap Allowances:-
– Individual (Medal, Stableford, Par/Bogey) 95%
– Fourball 85%
– Matchplay Twoball 100%
– Matchplay Fourball 90%
(For other handicap allowances please use the QR Code available in the clubhouse)
3. NON SUBMISSION OF COMPETITION SCORES OR INCOMPLETE ROUNDS
Last season the Golf & Handicap Committee introduced a procedure for dealing with the increasing number of players who were not submitting a competition score or submitting a score but not completing all holes. An email was sent to these players and if there were recurrances the player could have had their handicap index frozen or withdrawn.
This resulted in a decrease of offenders. Those players who received emails will have their slates wiped clean for the forthcoming season.
Remember, if you MUST leave the course during a competition, you MUST have a valid reason and you MUST report to the Pro’s shop and hand in your scorecard. This will ensure you do not receive an email.
This procedure can be found on the Members Hub / Menu / Club Docs / Procedures or the New Mills Golf Club website by clicking the following link – NMGC Policies, Processes & Procedures.
4. KEEPING YOUR HANDICAP INDEX UP TO DATE
The World Handicap System has been in place for a number of years. It is obvious that the more you play and the more scores you submit, either by General Play or playing in Competitions, the more your Handicap Index reflects your current playing ability.
We would like to encourage New Mills Golf Club playing members to submit as many scores as possible. There are plenty of opportunities to do this. When you are playing casual golf, why not sign up in the Pro’s shop for a 9 or 18 hole General Play round or enter one of the weekly competitions that are run by the club, on Saturdays, Sundays or Wednesdays during the playing season
The Golf & Handicap Committee
1st April 2024 : Rules of Handicapping Update
On 1st April 2024, changes to the WHS Rules of Handicapping & Course Rating standards were introduced in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Below is an overview of the main changes:-
- Calculating Course Handicap™ using Course Rating (CR) minus PAR (CR-PAR). (Please note that your Course Handicap is likely to change as a result).
- Use of an Expected Score for a Hole Not Played, rather than using Net Par.
- Course Handicap Un-rounding:
For Competition purposes, the calculated and unrounded Course Handicap will be carried through to the Playing Handicap calculation. For General Play score submission, the golfer will continue to use the calculated and rounded Course Handicap. - Team Match Play Allowance Application:
The application of allowances in team match play events has also been changed so that the % is applied to the difference between the players Course Handicaps, taken from the lowest player upwards. - Playing Conditions Calculation Adjustments Made More Frequent:
The Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) within GB&I has already been modified to increase the likelihood of an adjustment for abnormal playing conditions.
Other important information to note…..
- Player Responsibilities Under the Rules of Handicapping:
Players have an important role in ensuring the Rules of Handicapping are being implemented and administered appropriately. The main areas of responsibility for players are:
– Act with integrity by following the Rules of Handicapping and to refrain from using, or circumventing, the Rules of Handicapping for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage,
– Attempt to make the best score possible at each hole,
– Submit all acceptable scores to provide reasonable evidence of their demonstrated ability,
– Submit acceptable scores for handicap purposes as soon as possible after the round is completed and before midnight local time,
– Play by the Rules of Golf.
– Certify the scores of other players.
– The player is responsible for making sure the card is written with the correct handicap information. - Submission of Scores:
– Competition scores must be returned “promptly” after play and via the method instructed by the Terms of Competition as set by the competition organisers.
– General Play: A player must declare their intent to submit a score prior to their round and the score must be submitted by midnight on the day of play. This is important to note, as any scores submitted after midnight will not be included the PCC calculation. It is strongly recommended to submit your score immediately after your round.
Further information regarding the above changes can be obtained from England Golf website via the following links :-
Additional detailed information is available via the 2024 WHS Update Resources page on the England Golf website.
Your Club Handicap Committee are the first point of contact for any WHS queries. They have access to the required resource(s) and tools to ensure they can support the membership at your club.