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The World Handicap System has arrived
In the LOOP
in the golf industry…
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As the World Handicap System launches, how did D-Day work out for you?
Amid the Government’s decision to order golf courses to shut in England, and restrictions continued across the rest of the UK, the new World Handicap System officially launched on November 2.
Developed by golf’s governing bodies, The R&A and USGA, the system for the first time united six bodies across the globe under one standardised system.
In England, it can now be accessed by more than 630,000 golfers at 1,800 clubs and will allow golfers to transport and use their ‘handicap index’ on any course in the world. It is also designed to make for a fairer and more equitable system of handicapping, as well as establishing a method The news you need to know from the last month for more accurately calculating a golfer’s playing ability. In the run up to D-Day, England Golf hosted seminars across 35 counties and talked to more than 4,500 committee members and secretaries.
Announcing the launch, England Golf CEO Jeremy Tomlinson said: “November 2 marks an historic day for everyone associated with the game of golf in England. We have been planning and working towards this day for a long time and, despite the difficult period we have encountered this year, cannot wait to see it roll out into golf clubs across the country. We want to hear from you! “We believe the new system will be extremely beneficial for golfers as part of our great game’s continued development and modernisation. We hope it will encourage further growth on the back of a significant rise in memberships throughout England in the last few months. As well as growing the game, we also want to be able to give golfers the chance to enjoy the sport and to compete fairly, no matter where they are playing at home or abroad.”
How have you found the transition to the World Handicap System? Has it meant extra work for your club or has it been a smooth move? How have your members interacted with it and are they in favour of the changes? You can get in touch with me at s.carroll@sportspub.co.uk.
