Royal Automobile Club

World Handicap System Information

Handicap Index - The Handicap Index is used to generate a course handicap for not just our courses, but also any course you may play nationwide or internationally.

Course Handicap - This is the handicap you would play from on the course you have chosen to play. Your Course Handicap is worked out by Handicap Index x (Slope Rating/Standard Slope) plus (Course Rating-Par) Please note this formula is from 1 April 2024.

Playing Handicap - The playing handicap is equivalent to the number of strokes you will recieve when actually playing on the course. This may be the same as your course handicap if you are playing a friendly round or putting in a supplementary card, but will likley change when playing in a competition or match. For example, in individual stroke play your playing handicap is 95% of your course handicap.

Slope Rating and Course Rating - These are new terms that replace what used to be the SSS. In essence, they are the difficulty of each course, from each set of tees; and it is a system now used worldwide in determining the course difficulty.

PCC - Playing Conditions Calculation - This is the new name for the CSS. It works in a similar way by using a formula to determine by what level the field of a competition plays to their handicap, better than, or worse than. It can adjust the scoring measurement by 4 strokes if conditions are deemed easier or harder on any given day; with this range being from minus 1 to plus 3. Minus 1 is easier, thus 36 points would become 35. Plus 1, 2 or 3 is harder, thus 36 points will become 37, 38 or 39 respectively. This formula is not published, it is part of the handicap software provided by England Golf.

What Players Should Now Do

Prior to playing golf all players will now need to know their handicap index, work out their course handicap and then, if playing in a competition or match, generate their playing handicap/strokes received. This is done by the following:

Locate your Handicap Index - This can be found on the IG portal or by registering for the WHS portal.
Use the Club's conversion charts to ascertain what your Course Handicap should be once you have chosen the course and tee combination. eg. Old Course, Yellow Tees.
Once you have your Course Handicap, you should confirm what the percentage stroke allocation used for each format of match or competition is. You can do this by using the link below. Example: Individual Stableford/Medal uses 95% of your Course Handicap.
Once you have all the above information (Course Handicap and the percentage for allocation) you can use our Strokes Allocated Chart below to see your final playing handicap.