WHS & General Play | EA Golf Online2

For a long time, there have been uniform golf rules worldwide. Since 1. January 2021, there is a uniform system for calculating the handicap: The World Handicap System (WHS). A short summary can be found in the following WHS video.

Among other things, the new system is intended to ensure the comparability of handicaps at the international level. All detailed information about the World Handicap System can be found at the following link. WHS

The most important points from our point of view:

the former handicap becomes a handicap index
the course rating is included in the calculation
tournaments or RPR rounds (registered private rounds) or General Play.
Rounds abroad are accepted - however, all relevant data such as golf club, date, PAR, slope rating, course rating, game specification and number of strokes must be reported.
Below is a selection of questions and answers. This list is constantly being supplemented. If you have a question that is not listed, you are welcome to send it to us: golfcard@eagolfonline.com

I don't have 20 handicap-effective results so far. How is the Handicap Index calculated?

In this case, there is a conversion table, depending on the previous number of results. For details, see WHS brochure page 11.

How is the new handicap index calculated?

The detailed calculation can be seen in the WHS brochure on pages 28 & 29. But don't worry, basically the special Golf software takes over this calculation.

What happens if I don't play tournaments?

If someone does not play tournaments, the handicap index remains unchanged. If an increase is desired for health reasons, for example, it can be requested from the EAGolf GolfCard.

How are results from abroad recorded?

These are often transmitted automatically. As a precaution, please send us a photo of the score card or the tournament ranking. We need the following information: Golf Club, date, PAR, SR, CR, game specification, number of strokes.

What is a course rating?

A course rating indicates whether the course is rather easy or difficult to play.

Why can't you communicate the new handicap index with the ranking?

Since the handicap index is calculated from the average of the best 8 results and additionally exceptional space and weather conditions are taken into account, the calculation takes place overnight. The updated HCI can be seen the next morning.

Where can I find my handicap index?

As before, there are different options: mygolfsuisse.ch or in the Swiss Golf app. And of course on the printed Swiss Golf membership card (static).

How can my handicap index change?

The HCI changes after each handicap-effective tournament or an RPR round, provided that the result is newly included in the top 8. Since the best 8 results are taken into account, larger changes (up or down) than before are possible. In addition, the Handicap Index can change through the Annual Handicap Review.

Is there still an annual Handicap Review (AHR - Annual Handicap Review)?

Yes, as a handicap administrator, the Migros GolfCard will continue to carry out an annual handicap review in the future in order to make any major corrections manually. No AHR will be carried out in 2020, as the new system will be introduced from 01.01.2021.

Is there a limit where my handicap index is no longer changed upwards?

With the WHS, this limit is with a handicap index of 26.5 (previously at 18.5). A handicap index above 26.5 can only be corrected upwards as part of the annual handicap review, if appropriate (or necessary).

Abroad, private rounds are taken into account in the Handicap Index or recorded by the player online. Does this also apply to Uganda?

Since 2023, RPR rounds played in Uganda can be entered directly in the Golf App under the heading General Play.

What is meant by RPR - Registered Private Round or General Play?

A registered private round (RPR) or General Play is a handicap-effective result, which is played outside a tournament under handicap-effective conditions. If you want to play General Play, you must announce this before the start of the round and name your marker. You must submit the completed score card signed by you and your marker immediately after the round so that your handicap index can be updated.
NEW, you have the opportunity to play General Play with the EaGolf App. All information about General Play can be found here.

Why should I play General Play?

The more handicap-effective results you give, the better the handicap index corresponds to your demonstrated golfing skills. For all those who cannot often participate in tournaments, General Play is an ideal alternative to give as many handicap-effective results as possible.

And if I play an RPR or a tournament abroad?

The player is responsible for reporting effective results to his home club. If an automatic distribution of results is not possible, the player should send a copy of the score card (with stamp and signature of the club) or a net result list to the home club for tournaments. The result is then manually entered into the master sheet.

Important: The result can only be entered if the following information is available:

Golf course
Date
Name marker and player incl. signature
Number of holes played
Par
Course Rating
Slope Rating
Exact Handicap Index Player
Course Handicap (game specification)
Adjusted Gross Score or Net Stableford Points - Result

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