World Handicap System
The World Handicap System (WHS) was introduced by the R&A and USGA to standardise handicap calculations throughout the world. During 2020 many golfing countries have or intend to adopt the system and more followed suit in 2021 and 22.
What are the main changes for Club Systems International Limited?
In the past, Club Systems have only supplied systems to clubs in countries using the CONGU system of handicapping and most importantly performed those calculations at the club level, using our own software applications. Now and in the future, many national federations are moving to a central calculation model, meaning, in those countries, club applications will no longer calculate handicaps, but connect to national central servers to do so.
Different national federations have taken various routes with technology suppliers and functionality. Club Systems is supplying central systems to national federations through an initiative with the R&A to ensure that all golfing countries maintain handicap indices for their member clubs and golfers. In Great Britain and Ireland, the national federations have awarded contracts to two companies. In England, Wales and Ireland: DotGolf International Limited and in Scotland, OCS (I Office Limited).
Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) like Club Systems, Intelligent Golf and Handicapmaster, need to have a Licence with each national federation to send scores to, and receive handicap indices from, their central systems. These have now been agreed with the following federations:
National Body | WHS Central System Supplier |
England Golf (EGU) | DotGolf International Ltd. |
Ireland Golf (GUI & ILGU) | DotGolf International Ltd. |
Scottish Golf (SGU) | OCS (I Office Ltd.) |
Wales Golf (GUW) | DotGolf International Ltd. |
Malta Golf Association | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
Bahrain Golf Association | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
Kenya Golf Union | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
Cook Islands Golf Association | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
Jordan Golf Federation | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
Costa Rican Golf Federation | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
Gabon Golf Federation | Club Systems International Ltd. & R&A |
In each of these jurisdictions, differing levels of data will be required to obtain and retain a handicap and differing levels of data will be shared with the ISVs to enable the supply of services.
In all countries Club Systems can and will continue to be the club’s supplier of competition and score management systems. HowDidiDo will continue to offer competition results and up to date handicaps. National competitions such as the Titleist Order or Merit and the Prostate Cancer UK HowDoWeBeatit will carry on as normal.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information regarding WHS see - https://www.randa.org/WorldHandicapSystem
©Club Systems International Limited – All trademarks and IPR in WHS are acknowledged. Last updated 12:00 14th December 2022
