Showing posts with label WHS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WHS. Show all posts

Saturday 7 November 2020

-- SOME KEY FEATURES OF THE SCOTTISH GOLF APP



With the new World Handicap System launching in Scotland on Monday, and more than 77,000 golfers now using the Scottish Golf App, over 400 golfers from across the country engaged with Scottish Golf’s latest Zoom Panel Call which focussed on showcasing some of the key features of the App, as well as answering some frequently asked questions. 

Hosted by Scottish Golf’s Club Business Manager, Iain Evans, golfers from across Scotland had the opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, David Kernohan, Handicapping and Course Rating Officer at Scottish Golf, Gordon Crae from Gourock Golf Club and Joe Persh, Head of Development and Technology at OCS. -- Go to the Scottish Golf Website for More



Friday 30 October 2020

WHS INITIAL HANDICAP INDEX EXPLAINED


The new World Handicap System (WHS) will be launched in Scotland, and the rest of GB and I, next week - Monday 2nd 
November

The current golf handicapping system maintained by CONGU will be replaced by WHS which will unify the six different structures currently in operation throughout the world of golf.

WHS Initial Handicap Index Calculation Explained

From Thursday 23rd October Scottish Golf started the World Handicap System (WHS) transition process of golfer handicaps as we move to implement the new WHS. The main part of this transition was the calculation of every current CONGU Handicap into a WHS Index and golfers may have noticed their projected handicap has changed several times over the last few days as we aligned the data from the two systems.

To find out more about how we have generated initial handicap values that are as accurate as possible, please 
click here to access the WHS Initial Handicap Index document. This document also aims to answer some of the additional questions members may have around the process. 



Thursday 29 October 2020

SCOTTISH GOLF APP FAQ SHEET


Scottish Golf
have added  a Frequently Asked Questions link on their website about the Scottish Golf App you can download from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store depending on what type of modern phone you have (Apple or Android)


You will find out by clicking on the following link  --  Scottish Golf App questions and Answers 

WHS - What Are the Soft and Hard Cap ? - DAY 9


A player’s Low Handicap Index is remembered within the handicap formula – this is the lowest Handicap Index they have held within the last 12 months. 

The Low Handicap Index provides a reference point against which the current Handicap Index can be compared.

This is to help ensure that the player’s current Handicap Index cannot stray too far away from their demonstrated ability, in too short a space of time

If the new Index is more than a certain number of strokes above the Low Handicap Index, the cap is triggered.

The soft cap suppresses upward movement when the difference between the new calculated Index and the Low Index is greater than 3. 

The increase is suppressed by 50% of any value over 3.

The hard cap prevents further upward movement by placing a hard ceiling at 5 above the Low Index.

The soft cap and hard cap procedures only start to take effect once a player has at least 20 acceptable scores in their scoring record

Wednesday 28 October 2020

WHS - EXCEPTIONAL SCORES - DAY 8


A score differential which is at least 7.0 strokes or more better than the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round was played.

Score can be from any format of play, competitive or general play and this is not restricted to competition scores.

When a player submits an exceptional score, the handicap formula applies an additional adjustment to the player’s updated Handicap Index.

This adjustment is in addition to any reduction caused within the 8/20 calculation.

The Handicap Committee can override the adjustment if they deem necessary.

Tuesday 27 October 2020

WHS - PLAYING CONDITION CALCULATION - DAY 7

 


At the end of each day, a playing conditions calculation (PCC) takes place automatically, behind the scenes, to determine if scores made at the course were significantly higher or lower than expected.

If scores were unusually low or high, a PCC adjustment of between –1 and +3 will be applied to your score differential calculation to reflect the playing conditions on the day. 

When abnormal playing conditions cause scores to be higher or lower than expected on a given day, a Playing Conditions Calculation will adjust score differentials to better reflect the player’s actual performance.

This means that a higher score on a tough day may still be a good score and one of your best 8, used to calculate your updated Handicap Index.

The PCC considers all acceptable scores submitted on a golf course on a given day (all formats, competitive & recreational, 9 & 18 holes).

For a PCC to be calculated, at least eight acceptable scores must be submitted by players with a Handicap Index of 36.0 or below.  The PCC is automatically applied within the calculation of score differentials for all players. 

Monday 26 October 2020

COURSE AND SLOPE RATING -- DAY 6

As we continue the countdown to 2nd November, the second week of our campaign will focus on: 
Course & Sloping Rating 
Playing Conditions Calculations (PPC) 
Exceptional Score Reduction 
Soft and Hard Cap 
WHS Summary for Golfers

Day 6 - The Course Rating system forms the foundation for the Rules of Handicapping. The system enables handicaps to be portable by adjusting a player’s handicap according to the relative difficulty of the golf course being played.  

What is course rating?

An indication of the difficulty of a golf course for the scratch player under normal course and weather conditions

What is a bogey rating?

An indication of the difficulty of a golf course for the bogey player under normal course and weather conditions

What is a Slope Rating?

A Slope Rating is the number which indicates the relative playing difficulty of a course for bogey golfers, compared to scratch golfers. 

It is the combination of the Course Rating and the Bogey rating that allow us to calculate the Slope Rating of a set of tees.

Details of these ratings for courses across Scotland will be available on the Scottish Golf Website and App from 2nd November 2020 for a course rating database lookup.

Friday 23 October 2020

Acceptable Scores for the WHS. - Day 5

 

Under WHS, one of the key aims is to provide golfers with more opportunities to submit counting scores.  

Some of the factors that will mean a score is considered acceptable for handicapping purposes, as outlined in the new Rules of Handicapping, include:

  • In an authorized format of play; (Strokeplay, Stableford and Par/Bogey).
  • Over a minimum number of holes, (9 for 9 holes and 10 for 18 holes) all scores will be scaled up into an 18-hole differential.
  • By the Rules of Golf.
  • With at least one other person.
  • On a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating. 
  • During an active season.
  • Certified in accordance with Rules of Handicapping

Players must pre-register their intent to submit a score in general play for handicap purposes. General play is a significant benefit under WHS, allowing golfers to, so long as they pre-register and play the game by the WHS requirements, submit any round of golf from any golf course on the globe.  This is a massive opportunity for golfers who wish to consume their golf this way all year round and opens up new opportunities to maintain and obtain a handicap. General play scores can be submitted directly through the Scottish Golf App.

Such pre-registration must be made before the player starts the round, and in the manner prescribed by the Handicap Committee or Scottish Golf.

To find out more about the key features of WHS, click here.

Thursday 22 October 2020

FREQUENCY OF HANDICAP INDEX UPDATE -- DAY 4


The handicap calculation will take place every night at a specific time and a golfer’s new Handicap Index will be calculated ready for the following day. 

It is therefore important that a player submits their score as soon as possible on the day of play, after completion of their round and before midnight (local time).

Golfers must input their gross score for every hole played. If a golfer’s score is not submitted on the day of play it will not be used in the Playing Conditions Calculation.

A golfer will be able to view their new Handicap Index on the Scottish Golf Platform (via the Scottish Golf Website or App) or through their own golf club.


Under WHS, one of the key aims is to provide golfers with more opportunities to submit counting scores.  

Some of the factors that will mean a score is considered acceptable for handicapping purposes, as outlined in the new Rules of Handicapping, include:

  • In an authorized format of play; (Strokeplay, Stableford and Par/Bogey).
  • Over a minimum number of holes, (9 for 9 holes and 10 for 18 holes) all scores will be scaled up into an 18-hole differential.
  • By the Rules of Golf.
  • With at least one other person.
  • On a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating. 
  • During an active season.
  • Certified in accordance with Rules of Handicapping

Players must pre-register their intent to submit a score in general play for handicap purposes. General play is a significant benefit under WHS, allowing golfers to, so long as they pre-register and play the game by the WHS requirements, submit any round of golf from any golf course on the globe.  This is a massive opportunity for golfers who wish to consume their golf this way all year round and opens up new opportunities to maintain and obtain a handicap. General play scores can be submitted directly through the Scottish Golf App.

Such pre-registration must be made before the player starts the round, and in the manner prescribed by the Handicap Committee or Scottish Golf.

To find out more about the key features of WHS, click here.


Wednesday 21 October 2020

Course and Playing Handicap - WHS - Day 3

 

What is a Course Handicap?

Your Course Handicap will be the number of strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating: 

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x slope rating/ 113

For example, for a golfer with a Handicap Index of 12.0, playing a course with a Slope Rating of 127, the calculation would be:

12.0 x (127/113) = 13.5 (14)

Note -  This is the handicap you will put and your card and use when submitting a score, this the important handicap to remember!

Playing Handicap 

The Playing Handicap adjusted for any handicap allowances or Terms of the Competition. It represents the actual number of strokes the player gives or receives for the format of golf being played

Playing Handicap = Course Handicap x Handicap Allowance 

For example, using the above example where the golfer has a Course Handicap of 13.5 and playing a competition with a 95% handicap allowance, the calculation for Playing Handicap would be:

13.5 x 0.95 = 12.8 (13)

Note- This handicap is solely used for the purpose of calculating competition results or when working out allowances for a specific format of play.

Handicap Allowance 

The percentage of a Course Handicap recommended to create equity for all players participating in a specific format of play. See below a list of all formats of play and the recommended. Go to the Scottish Golf Website 

So the most important points to remember are


Tuesday 20 October 2020

WHAT IS YOUR HANDICAP ? - CALCULATING YOUR HANDICAP INDEX UNDER WHS -- DAY 2


One of the most common questions golfers will ask each other is, “what is your handicap?

Under WHS, the way in which a handicap is calculated will change slightly, and golfers will receive a new Handicap Index.

A Handicap Index is designed to represent your demonstrated ability.  It is calculated by averaging the best 8 score differentials out of the most recent 20 within your scoring record. Can be made up of both competition and general play scores.

If your record does not have 20 scores on it already, a modified calculation will be carried out to provide you with a Handicap Index.  This table highlights how this will be done.

A Handicap Index will be the measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty (that is, a course with a Slope Rating of 113).

Your Handicap Index provides you with a portable measure of your demonstrated playing ability that is consistent with how all other golfers will be measured around the world. It can be used to track your progress and to play in a casual or a competitive round with any other player from course to course and country to country.

How do I get one?

For new players:

Once you have joined a golf club and you have submitted scores from a total of 54 holes, made up of 9 or 18-hole scores, you will be allocated an initial Handicap Index. 

You are then able to return competition and general play scores (pre-registered).

For existing club members:

We will be using you existing scores on you CDH record to calculate your Handicap Index

What is a score differential? 

The difference between a player’s adjusted gross score and the Course Rating, taking account of Slope Rating. It is the value ‘played to’ on a specific course on a specific day. 



To find out more about some of the other key features of WHS,  -- CLICK HERE

Monday 19 October 2020

SCOTTISH GOLF - WHS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BEGINS TODAY - THE PURPOSE OF THE WHS

 

Scottish Golf, the governing body for the game in Scotland, has launched its awareness campaign to help educate golfers of all levels about the new World Handicap System (WHS), set to be launched on 2nd November 2020. 

Scotland is the home of golf, with the sport first being played in the 15th century, and this new campaign will provide valuable and insightful information ahead of the changes to how handicaps will be calculated.

WHS aims to offer one, unified system around the world for the first time, giving golfers the ability to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index and use this anytime, anywhere around the world. The system will take playing conditions, course, and slope ratings into account, with a player’s best eight scores in the past 20 games played counting towards their Handicap Index.

The Scottish Golf’s campaign, goes live from today Monday 19th October .

This week, the campaign will focus on: 

  • Purpose of WHS 
  • Handicap Index 
  • Course & Playing Handicap 
  • Frequency of Handicap Index Updates 
  • Acceptable Scores

In week two, you will receive further assets that will focus on:

  • Course & Sloping Rating
  • Playing Conditions Calculations (PPC)
  • Exceptional Score Reduction
  • Soft and Hard Cap
  • WHS Summary for Golfers 


DAY 1 -- The purpose of the WHS

With WHS coming into play in Scotland on 2nd November 2020, many golfers across Scotland will be asking, “why are we moving to a new Handicap system?”

WHS aims to provide maximum enjoyment for all who play the game. The new system will enable players of any ability, from anywhere in the world, to play and compete with others on a fair basis. This will be the case whether in competition, or during a casual round. 

WHS will encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap and once a golfer has their handicap, players of differing abilities, genders, and nationalities will be able to take their handicap to any course in the world where they will be able to compete on a fair basis. 

Another key aim of WHS is that it will indicate, with accuracy, the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.

Wednesday 14 October 2020

SOME R&A - WORLD HANDICAPPING RESOURCES

A key feature of The World Handicap System is that handicaps are now calculated in the same way across the world ⛳️ -- The R&A website have some new links on there now 

 

Work out your course handicap with their calculator here and look up link for different courses 


 COURSE HANDICAP CALCULATOR (using your Handicap Index when available or if you have got a rough idea of what yours is at the moment) 

LOOK UP A COURSE FOR SLOPE AND COURSE RATING - (Put in Scotland and then the course)  -- There may be variations as time goes on


Saturday 10 October 2020

SCOTTISH GOLF WHS WEBINAR IS A SELL OUT

 

From the 
Scottish Golf Website

With just 24 days to go until the new World Handicap System (WHS) comes into play in Scotland, 500 golfers from across the country benefitted from Scottish Golf’s latest Zoom Panel Call.


Hosted by Scottish Golf’s Club Business Manager, Iain Evans, golfers from across Scotland had the opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, Scottish Golf’s Handicapping and Course Rating Team of David Kernohan and Adam Phillips.


The call, which was available on a first-come, first-serve basis, was the first sell-out webinar hosted by Scottish Golf and is now available to view by CLICKING THIS LINK  or viewing on the video below


Scottish Golf has also produced an FAQ document to support golfer education and this can be accessed HERE 

The slides from this Call can also be accessed HERE


David Kernohan, Handicapping and Course Rating at Scottish Golf said, “As we near the implementation of WHS in Scotland, we were delighted with the overwhelming response to this week’s call.


“We understand that golfer education is crucial over the next 12 months and we will continue to provide additional opportunities for golfers to learn more.


Following the huge demand for this week’s call, we are also looking at options to expand our Zoom Panel Call capacity to ensure more golfers can tune-in to these sessions live.”


CLICK HERE TO READ MORE POSTS ABOUT THE WHS

Friday 9 October 2020

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD HANDICAPPING SYSTEM - PODCAST


The World Handicap System and one of the biggest changes to the way we play the game in decades comes into force on November 2. 

 The dreaded .1 will disappear forever and our handicaps will apply the world over, whether we’re playing at our HOME CLUB , OUR AWAY CLUB, the Old Course, or that bucket list layout in Florida. 

However, if you still don’t know your course rating from your slope, your hard cap from your playing conditions calculation, then -- David Kernohan who is the handicapping and course rating officer for Scottish Golf and is leading the way in implementing the new system in Scotland 

He gives us a beginners’ guide to WHS and answers some of your questions too in this excellent podcast that was made.

Tuesday 15 September 2020

World Handicap System 2020 – Transition Handicaps


CLICK HERE FOR A RULES OF HANDICAPPING PLAYERS REFERENCE GUIDE

WHS RULES OF HANDICAPPING


2020 – TRANSITION OF CONGU HANDICAPS  TO WHS HANDICAP INDEX


In order to move from CONGU to WHS handicaps on the 2nd November 2020 all players’ current Handicap Records will be reprocessed using the WHS principles. The calculation will identify the best 8 of the last 20 Qualifying Scores, if posted during the last 3 years in Scotland, and factor in:

  • The adjusted Gross Score (Score Differential)
  • The Course Rating 
  • The Slope Rating of the tees played
Check Out the Players reference guide above 


If a player has submitted less than 20 scores in the last 3 years, the calculation will be done in a similar manner to the method of allocating new handicaps, as shown below.


If less than 20 Qualifying Scores posted in the last 2 years

    • 3 scores: lowest score -2
    • 4 scores: lowest score -1
    • 5 scores: lowest score
    • 6 scores: average of lowest 2 scores -1
    • 7 to 8 scores: average of lowest 2 scores
    • 9 to 11 scores: average of lowest 3 scores
    • 12 to 14 scores: average of lowest 4 scores
    • 15 to 16 scores: average of lowest 5 scores
    • 17 to 18 scores: average of lowest 6 scores
    • 19 scores: average of lowest 7 scores
    • 20 scores: average of lowest 8 scores

Friday 21 August 2020

SCOTTISH GOLF HANDICAP ZOOM PANEL MEETING



From the Scottish Golf Website

Over 200 delegates from golf clubs across Scotland took part in Scottish Golf’s latest Zoom Panel Call aimed at supporting clubs with preparing for the implementation of WHS on 2 November 2020. 

On the call, David Kernohan and Adam Phillips from Scottish Golf’s Handicapping and Course Rating Team presented a 15-minute presentation about the transition, education and implementation of WHS in Scotland. They also answered questions submitted by delegates and a full list of FAQ’s can now be accessed here.

To catch up on the full 30-minute Zoom Panel Call in full, please click here

Scottish Golf’s Handicapping and Course Rating Officer, David Kernohan, said, “It was really pleasing to see so many clubs represented on today’s WHS Zoom Panel Call and we would like to thank everyone who attended the session. 

“As we continue to move towards the implementation date of 2 November, it is important that clubs are aware of the key changes and how this will impact the processing of handicaps and their members. 

“Today’s session allowed us to cover a number of key topics as we continue our ongoing programme of club education on WHS and all clubs will be able to engage in further discussion on our new Hive Learning platform.”

For clubs looking to register for Hive Learning, please click here. Clubs can also access our WHS Readiness Guide here.

Tuesday 14 January 2020

WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM INTRODUCTION


Thursday 19 December 2019

SCOTTISH GOLF UPDATE ON THE WHS IMPLEMENTATION - SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS

Since our last communication, Scottish Golf have met with a number of Golf Clubs through various meetings and regional forums. A key topic of discussion was about the upcoming implementation of the World Handicap System (WHS) in 2020.
A common piece of feedback was about the proposed solution from Scottish Golf to push handicap/scoring data from the WHS system to Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) in order for them to continue administering club competitions and publish results. However, ISVs were concerned about the technical challenges this presented and some Golf Clubs preferred a solution that supported continued use of recently purchased ISV software / hardware products.
As the national governing body, it is our duty to work in the best interest of our affiliated clubs and the end users. With this in mind the decision has been taken to allow accredited ISVs access to pull player handicaps from the Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) for competition purposes only. This solves the technical challenges raised and supports some Golf Club’s requests to continue using their current system.
It is, however, important to note that Scottish Golf are the only authorised body responsible for affiliated members’ handicaps and therefore all competition scores must be sent to the WHS CDH for handicap processing. Any golfer can review their handicap record via the Scottish Golf platform on any of the following available sources: Scottish Golf App, Scottish Golf iPad, or Scottish Golf website. 
No ISV will be licensed to present any handicap data to affiliated members via any other source. 
The above covers competition results only and where it comes to General Play scores being submitted for handicapping purposes, members will need to use a Scottish Golf iPad supplied to Clubs free of charge (i) by Scottish Golf or via the Scottish Golf App. General play scoring is a new requirement under WHS that means any golfer can submit a score for handicapping at any golf club on any day as long as they have pre-registered their intent prior to submitting a score. This will ensure that players get a consistent interface when entering general play scores as they travel around the country.
We would like to thank all clubs who have contributed to this process, and we look forward to the implementation of WHS in November 2020.
(i) These iPads are optional for all affiliated clubs.