Avon League Admin

World Handicap System

The World Handicap System came in to effect in England on November 2nd, 2020.

The handicap index conversion tables for each current member club of the Avon League can be accessed in the table below:

Course	Par	Slope Rating
Atherstone	72	130
Copsewood	72	122
Coventry	73	139
North Warwickshire	71	136
Oakridge	71	126
Rugby	68	125
Stonebridge (Somers-Hampton)	70	137
Stratford Oaks	71	126
Stratford Park	72	130
The Vale	74	129
The Warwickshire (Earls)	72	132
The Welcombe	70	124
West Midlands	74	134
Whitefields	71	134

Note that England Golf have decided not to use the (Course Rating - Par) section of the calculation for the handicap index tables.

As per the WHS, stroke allowances for each of our competitions will be determined from the course handicap for each player, after conversion of their handicap index to a course handicap using the course & slope rating calculation. The allowances for each competition will be as follows:

League	90% of the difference from the player with the lowest course handicap.
Trophy	A pair's greensomes course handicap is calculated by taking 60% of the lower course handicap and adding 40% of the higher course handicap. Strokes to be given/received based on the full difference of the greensomes handicaps of the two pairs.
Challenge	Each player receives 85% of their course handicap.

Developed by The R&A and USGA in close coordination with existing handicapping authorities, the WHS will provide all golfers with a consistent measure of playing ability, with handicaps calculated in the same way wherever they are in the world.

A key objective of the initiative was to develop a modern system, enabling as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index. Golfers will be able to transport their Handicap Index globally and compete or play a casual round with players from other regions on a fair basis. It will also indicate the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving the next time they go out to play.

World Handicap System Resources

World Handicap System Ofiicial Website

World Handicap System Rule Book

WHS website - FAQs

USGA International Course & Slope Rating Database

CONGU Player's Guide to Playing Under the WHS

CONGU WHS webpages

England Golf WHS pages

England Golf FAQs

R&A WHS webpages

Useful Videos from the WHS Website

Calculation of Playing Handicap

Principle of the Course and Playing Handicaps

Course and Slope Rating

Upward Handicap Adjustments

Maximum Handicaps