Change Summariesfor the2024 World Handicap System™ Revision
Each of these one-page documents explain a major change for the 2024 revision for the Rules ofHandicapping™ and Course Rating System™. The papers describe:•••

The policy used prior to the 2024 revision of the WHS™ (2020-2023),
The Rule change for the 2024 revision of the WHS, andThe reasons for the change.

The following papers are included:#Topic1Treatment of 9-hole Scores

2

Treatment of Scores When 10 to 17 Holes are Played

3

Minimum Length to Obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™

4Additional Handicap Review Tools for Club Use

1Treatment of 9-Hole Scores

Rule prior to the 2024 revision: For a 9-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes, aplayer is required to play at least 7 holes under the Rules of Golf and can apply net par for anyholes not played.

Once a 9-hole score is posted, a 9-hole Score Differential™ is created, and either:➢Combined with an existing 9-hole Score Differential (if available) to produce an 18-holeScore Differential, OR➢

Combined with the player’s next 9-hole Score Differential to produce an 18-hole Score
Differential.

Rule change for the 2024 Revision: For a 9-hole score to be acceptable for handicap purposes,a player must play all 9 holes from tees with a published 9-hole Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™.
When a player posts a 9-hole score, the WHS™ will automatically calculate an 18-hole Score
Differential for the round, based on the player’s 9-hole Score Differential and expected Score
Differential based on their current Handicap Index®, allowing the 9-hole round to be considered in
the player’s Handicap Index calculation right away.
The player's Handicap Index is used to determine their expected Score Differential for the numberof holes not played.
Expected score is defined as: The score a player is expected to achieve over a specified number ofholes on a course of standard difficulty. It is calculated using the player’s Handicap Index andattributes a numerical value against any hole or holes not played during a round.

Reasons for change:➢This treatment of 9-hole scores is more responsive since players will no longer have to waitfor a second 9-hole score to be posted for an 18-hole Score Differential to be created andused in their Handicap Index calculation.

➢It provides a better representation of how a player will normally perform over 18 holes on agiven day, compared to combined 9-hole scores made on different days and under
different playing conditions.

➢This method produces a more consistent and comparable Handicap Index for those who
post 9-hole scores. For example, prior to 2024:
o Combining two independent 9-hole scores often results in more volatility with theScore Differentials and is highly dependent on the order in which scores werecombined.
o It is also common for two good 9-hole scores to be combined and produce an18-hole Score Differential that is better than any of their 18-hole scores made over
18 consecutive holes. The impact of this scenario could lead to an artificially low
Handicap Index for the player.

2Treatment of Scores When 10 to 17 Holes Are Played

Rule prior to the 2024 Revision: When 10 to 13 holes are played, scores made on holes 10through 13 are discarded and a 9-hole Score Differential™ is created from the scores on the 9holes played. When 14-17 holes are played, net par is used for the remaining holes not played
to allow an 18-hole Score Differential to be created.

Rule change for the 2024 Revision: When 10-17 holes are played, a Score Differential will becreated based on the holes played, and the player’s expected Score Differential for the numberof remaining holes will be added to that value to produce an 18-hole Score Differential.
➢To facilitate this change, when a player plays between 10-17 holes, they will be required topost their scores using the hole-by-hole option. This allows a Score Differential to be
calculated based on the specific holes that were played, which is then combined with theplayer’s expected score for the number of holes not played.
o Note: Expected score is the default position for holes not played. However, net par
may be an option in very limited circumstances subject to approval from the local
Allied Golf Association. The Handicap Committee/golf club will be responsible forcommunicating to all golfers when net par should be applied.

Reasons for change:➢Prior to 2024, scores made on holes 10-13 are discarded if fewer than 14 holes are played.
This change adds flexibility by allowing scores made on those holes to be retained andused to create an 18-hole Score Differential.

➢By replacing net par with the use of a player’s expected score to produce an 18-hole ScoreDifferential, players will see more equity and consistency. This is because the expectedscore for a player is not course-specific or reliant upon the course’s stroke index
allocation.

3Minimum Length to Obtain a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™

Rule prior to the 2024 Revision: To be eligible for a Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™, a tee
set must be at least 3,000 yards for 18 holes or 1,500 yards for 9 holes.

Rule change for the 2024 Revision: The World Handicap System™ has approved lowering theminimum length for a tee to be issued a Course Rating and Slope Rating to 1,500 yards for 18holes or 750 yards for 9 holes.
➢As a result, more than 600 additional golf courses (mostly par-3 courses) qualify for aCourse Rating and Slope Rating, if desired.

Reasons for change:➢Handicap research shows that equity and portability within the system is retained down
to the new minimum tee length.

➢This change enables scores made at shorter length courses to be acceptable forhandicap purposes and allows players with a Handicap Index® to determine a Course
Handicap™ and Playing Handicap™ for use during their rounds at such facilities.

➢In recent years, more short courses are being built and shorter length tees are being
added at full length courses to accommodate players of all abilities.
o These courses are often played by either beginners or golfers with shorter hitting
distances, and this change provides these players the opportunity to enjoy thebenefits of maintaining a Handicap Index.

➢This change also allows courses that have not previously utilized the WHS™ to create aclub structure, affiliate with their local Allied Golf Association, and register golfers for aHandicap Index.

4Additional Handicap Review Tools for Club Use

Rule prior to the 2024 Revision: The Handicap Committee at a golf club is strongly encouraged toconduct a handicap review at least annually for all members. There are lists of considerations
and reports available to assist Handicap Committees with identifying players who many need anadjustment, however, it is up to the Committee to determine if, and how much, the adjustment
should be.

Rule change for the 2024 Revision: Along with the introduction of additional reporting tools,

USGA handicap administration software will include enhanced capabilities including the ability
for the software to produce recommended actions for the Handicap Committee.
➢The enhanced handicap review tools:
o Identify abnormalities within a player’s scoring record, including the ability toidentify players who are frequently scoring above, or below, their expectedscoring range, ando Make a recommended adjustment to the Handicap Index® of each player
identified. The minimum adjustment recommended is 1 stroke, up or down. An
adjustment above 3 strokes should only be made under unusual circumstances.

Reasons for change:➢

By introducing these new data-driven tools, Handicap Committees have the ability add
more objectivity and consistency to the Handicap Review process.

➢The updated tools include notifications, which allow Handicap Committees to becomeaware if a Handicap Review indicates a player’s Handicap Index no longer reflects theirdemonstrated ability.

➢With more players than ever joining “e-clubs” and the USGA/AGA Community, thesereporting tools assist Handicap Committees at clubs where traditional peer review is moredifficult to carry out.

➢These tools will not replace, but rather enhance the human element that exists today – andthe role of the Handicap Committee is still critical to the integrity of the World Handicap
System™.