Handicaps

World Handicap System (WHS)

Fair play, wherever you play.

GolfRSA administers the World Handicap System (WHS) in
South Africa to ensure all golfers can enjoy a fair and
consistent game, no matter where they play.
The WHS brings together the best features of the previous
handicap systems used around the world and provides a
single, unified standard for measuring playing ability.

Key features include:

The WHS makes it easier for golfers of all skill levels to compete equitably, whether playing casually with friends or in formal club competitions.

Handicap Allowances

Ensuring balanced competition

Handicap allowances help level the playing field in different
formats of play, allowing fair competition between golfers of
varying abilities.

Each format has a specific recommended percentage adjustment applied to players’ Course Handicaps. Examples include:

These allowances are determined by The R&A and USGA to maintain equity across all competition formats. Your club’s handicap committee and the GolfRSA Handicap App automatically apply these adjustments for competition scoring.

Playing Handicap Conversion Tables

From Handicap Index to Course Handicap

Your Handicap Index represents your overall scoring potential, while your Course Handicap reflects how that ability translates to a specific course and set of tees.

The conversion uses two course-specific factors:

GolfRSA provides conversion tables for all affiliated clubs,
helping golfers calculate their Course Handicap easily before
play.
You can also find this information on the GolfRSA Handicap
App or your club’s noticeboard.

For details, visit www.handicaps.co.za or access your official GolfRSA Handicap App.

HANDICAPS