The Canadian golf season may not have started here, but the new World Handicap System has, as of January 1. It was an effort of the USGA and R&A to bring the six different handicap systems used across the world under one umbrella. The changes for us here are not as great as in many places in the world.
However, there are some changes we should note:
1. Equitable Stroke Control for maximum score on a hole has been replaced by Net Double Bogey. NDB is par (for the hole) + 2 + any handicap strokes applied on that hole. For example, a 39 handicap golfer on hole #1 will take 5 (par) + 2 + 3 = 10. On hole #8 she will take 3 (par) + 2 + 2 = 7. Previously she would have taken 9 on every hole as her adjusted maximum. Now she could take 7, 8, 9, or 10 depending on the par and the stroke allowance of the hole.
Don't worry too much about doing the math. We will have a chart to carry with you. Also, on a really positive note, if you enter your score "hole by hole" into the computer at the club or at home, the program will do the calculation to catch any errors. Tuesdays will use adjusted maximum for entry on the sheet.
2. The calculation of your index is now based on your best 8 scores (previously 10) out of 20. If you look up your index now, you may notice that it has gone down since you finished playing. So, that really high score is even less likely to have an impact on your handicap.
3. It is very important that players enter their scores on the day of play. There is a Playing Condition Calculation done if enough people (at least 8) enter scores that are unusually high because of weather. This would rarely apply to us and is more for seaside courses with high winds.
4. There is no "Tournament" entry anymore, but unusually high or low scores will be noted.
At the spring meeting we will try to explain the new system and hopefully answer all your questions.
Dale Hodge
Handicap and Match Play Convenor