It’s now five years since the World Handicap System (WHS) was launched in England, Scotland, Wales and the island of Ireland, with its introduction representing a seismic change to the game and the structure that golfers had been accustomed to for generations.
We’ve seen a few alterations and tweaks made since then, as governing bodies naturally responded to feedback and trends that they were witnessing, but it’s unquestionably true to say that the WHS has proven to be divisive, which might just be a reaction to anything new, or maybe it’s a reality that any handicap system will prove to be contentious.
Designed to make the handicapping system more equitable and consistent across the planet, the WHS had noble intentions, and there have been arguable benefits, but controversy does remain, as we discovered when surveying 2,500 golfers in the autumn of 2025, marking a half decade since the WHS first made its way into our lives.
Analysing the many comments we received that addressed the WHS, these were broken into three distinct categories:
Dissenting voices are often the loudest, so you might not be surprised that a majority of the responses were negative, but it would be naive to simply ignore what they are saying.
Many golfers remain critical of the World Handicap System
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
It’s hardly breaking news to say that many golfers aren’t huge fans of the WHS! Even if you aren’t one of them, you have most likely heard numerous grumbles and complaints on the course, in the clubhouse, or most probably online.
Chief among the concerns is that it’s compromising competitive play and ruining medals with higher handicap golfers dominating proceedings.
“Stopped playing in competitions as it is virtually impossible to compete with the handicaps that are floating about.” “Handicap is an absolute joke. Stopped playing in competitions as it is virtually impossible to compete with the handicaps that are floating about.” “New handicap system makes it almost impossible to win a weekly prize.” “Handicap system only suitable for high handicappers.” “Golf has been ruined now by the WHS. As a single figure golfer, along with my friends we play for a two in the two’s sweep on competition days as we have no chance of being in the overall winners due to inflated handicaps by so many.” “The current handicap system needs revising. There are too many golfers on handicaps above 30, this prevents low handicappers entering comps.” “The World Handicap System is being used to drive inclusivity but it is destroying amateur competition golf.”
We’ve all heard about “bandits” in golf – which is a phenomenon that long predated the WHS – but many golfers still believe that is a problem under the modern system.
“World Handicap system has left a lot to be desired. Fed up players protecting higher handicap for competition and matches.” “New WHS is high handicap preference system, does nothing to stop the bandits or cheats.” “Discontinue the World Handicap System, go back to the old system, cheating or minding your handicap is rampant.” “Yes, the handicap system is a complete joke, needs to sort out the so called bandits, the game is ruined, after golfing for the last 50 years, the game has no ethics anymore.” “Handicap system has encouraged manipulation – it’s fantasy golf now.” “The handicap system has been manipulated for years but WHS has made it easier.”
It was engineered to keep things simple and consistent, but some golfers don’t like the WHS process, whether it be submitting scores or how quickly handicaps rise or fall.
“The handicap system is not working. It should respond much faster to very good and bad play, giving everyone a chance when they have their best round but returning them to normal more quickly.” “The new handicap system still looks cumbersome, ridiculous scores being seen.” “It was easier to work out your handicap before WHS was introduced.” “The new handicap system is shocking, there are members who have been given a handicap certificate but have not played in any medal counting competitions for years.” “The new handicap system is not working. Too much info now and handicaps can be managed to stay at a level.”
Other golfers are far more scathing in their assessment.
“WHS is a total disaster at all levels.” “Change back to old handicap system. New one is destroying the game.” “Get rid of the WHS and bring back handicaps to the control of the local union and golf clubs.”
Just being critical about something is easy, but coming up with potential solutions or improvements is something else that many of the golfers who responded to our survey chose to share.
Golfers have ideas on how to improve the World Handicap System
It’s obvious that a significant proportion of the golfing population aren’t satisfied with the WHS, but how would they tweak it? Here are some of the suggestions we received that could address many of the most common concerns.
“Need to sort WHS. Last 20 rounds, discard best three and worst three rounds and then take the average but only have four rounds of 9-hole scores that can be counted as part of the last 20. “Although iGolf handicaps are an excellent idea, there should be greater restrictions on iGolfers playing in open competitions who don’t have sufficient competitive rounds in their last 20 rounds.” “Only bona fide competition cards should be considered. Judging a score based on 9 holes is fantasy.” “Too many people protecting handicaps – only competition rounds should count.” “Casual cards under WHS distort handicaps – it should be competition rounds only.” “Limit maximum handicap to 24 – means players have to work for it.” “WHS continues to disappoint. Many of the rules that applied under CONGU are still being applied inappropriately.” “Make WHS more dynamic – adapt quicker to form both good and bad.” “WHS should be reviewed – discard extremes, keep consistent scores only.”
Do you agree with the idea that only competitive scores should be counted, that 9-hole rounds shouldn’t be valid, and that the calculation process should ignore extremes, both good and bad?
Some golfers fully support the World Handicap System
We’ve covered a lot of negativity, and constructive critiques of the WHS, but it would be remiss to ignore the positive comments we received from golfers who believe that the World Handicap System has been a success.
“WHS has made it easier to keep track of scores across clubs.” “For casual golfers, WHS is great – I can track my progress even if I don’t play competitions.” “It’s good that new players are included under WHS.” “I like that it’s fair for everyone to compare handicaps worldwide.” “The system works fine if people are honest – the issue is behaviour, not WHS itself.”
These golfers have embraced the benefits that the WHS has offered.
Five years on – has the World Handicap System made golf better or worse?
Reflecting on the half decade since the WHS was introduced, can it now be viewed as being successful? As you have likely judged from reading everything above, it purely depends on who you ask.
It has made things more accessible and democratic, making it easier for all golfers, even beginners, to secure and manage their own handicap. For golfers who travel widely and play different courses, it has brought a sense of uniformity to golf internationally.
That said, for those who play competitively, there is a perception that the WHS hasn’t effectively tackled unfairness or golfers manufacturing their handicaps, but that was a complaint they may have had about the old process too.
When something has supplanted an established system, pushback is inevitable, but the passage of time will see the World Handicap System become more embedded into the game and golfers of the future will not be aware of anything different.
However, the prevailing criticisms shouldn’t be overlooked and they illustrate that while the WHS has delivered many positives, it hasn’t been perfect, and there may yet be further enhancements required.
Should we return to this topic five years from now, it’ll be fascinating to see if perspectives have changed and that will truly answer the question of whether the World Handicap System has been a success.
Kieran Clark is the Digital Editor of Golfshake. He oversees editorial content, community engagement, forums, and social media channels. A lifelong golfer from the Isle of Bute in Scotland who has now lived in St Andrews for a decade, he began playing at the age of five and maintains a passion for exploring courses, with a particular affection for historic layouts. Kieran regularly contributes in-depth opinion pieces and features, drawing on his enthusiasm for the game and its culture.
