World Handicap System (WHS) and Ghin updates 3/1/2021

Active season for posting in our region is 3/1/21 to 11/14/21.

All unpaid members have been inactivated until dues are paid.

The updated Ghin system does not recognize Ghin #’ beginning with zero, or one that is hyphenated (e.g., 00123456, 123-456). Your Ghin # is 123456. If you are a paid member and having trouble getting into any Ghin product, this may be why.

Membership forms have been mailed. When you sign up this year you will need to furnish a current email address, and no two members can have the same email address. Without it, the new system will not allow posting access to Ghin products (ghin.com and phone app). Because handicaps are computed daily, posting by midnight of the day you play to avoid penalty scores, is the norm under the WHS (World Handicap System). 

With the change to WHS it is recommended to post scores hole by hole after your round on the Mobile Ghin app, or ghin.com.  Your score will automatically be corrected showing your max score per hole of Net Double Bogey… (par + 2 stokes + any handicap stokes received).  In most cases this will be no more than 8 or 9 strokes on a par 5 for example, and in casual play you should pick up at this point and move on for pace of play purposes. This limit is in place, so a player’s handicap is not overly influenced by 1 or 2 bad hole scores that are not reflective of a player’s ability. This procedure must be used for all rounds posted for handicap purposes.

There were 15,047 rounds posted by our membership in 2020. Of those 10,277 (68.3%) were posted using the mobile phone app. The national USGA average was 78%. There were 1061 posted hole by hole (7.1%).  

Your Handicap Index (HI) calculation is based on the lowest 8 of the last 20 differentials in your scoring record. Your phone app will have your updated HI each day.

Your Course Handicap (CH) will vary depending on which set of tees you are playing. Again, the Mobile Ghin app figures this automatically for you.

Look for more additions to the Mobile Ghin app in the near future. 

WHS rule 1.3(i) responsibilities of Player

1. 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

2. Attempt to make the best score possible at each hole

3. Submit acceptable scores (WHS rule 2.1) for handicap purposes as soon as possible after the round is completed and before midnight local time

4. Submit acceptable scores to provide reasonable evidence of their demonstrated ability

5. Play by the Rules of Golf

6. Certify the scores of fellow players

WHS rule 2.1 Acceptability of Scores

A score is acceptable for handicap purposes if the round has been played:

1. In an authorized format of play (Rule 2.1a) over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable (Rule 2.2)

2. In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker (subject to satisfying any other requirements of the Rules of Golf)

3. By the Rules of Golf (Rule 2.1b)

4. On a golf course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a consistent level 

5. On a golf course during its active season

6. The player’s score must always be certified in accordance with the Rules of Handicaping (Rule 4.4 peer review)

If one or more of the requirements set out above is not met, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes

Mike Steffy

Handicap Chairman

509-981-6688