The new World Handicap System and what it means to you

Prior to January 2020, all USGA handicap index calculations (777 League also) were based on a rather convoluted series of math expressions that few understood.  The calculations depended in part on something termed Equitable Stroke Control (ESC).  The data below illustrates:



Beginning in January of 2020, the USGA has adopted a different method (the World Handicap System) of calculating ESC (now called Adjusted Gross Score - AGS) The diagram below shows the current method.

All this means is that the maximum hole score that can be considered for handicap index calculation is net double bogey; (par + 2 strokes + the number of strokes received for that hole)  What does this mean for you, the recreational 777 league golfer? Well, if you're having a bad day and you score 18 on #16, and you have 3 strokes for that hole, last year I'd input a 10; this year I'd input a 3 + 2 + 3 = 8.  Essentially, this new change is transparent to the player.  Player scorekeeping for our weekly competitions and tournaments will continue as in previous years.

For those who are interested in the old vs. new calculations

For these examples on Auburn's front side, let's use two of our members on either end of the currently posted handicap index file: Dave, 9-hole index 6.8, and Ed, 9-hole index 23.2.  The method used by the USGA (and us) prior to 2020 to arrive at these numbers was to:

1. Sum & average the lowest 10 of the last 20 Handicap Differentials
2. Handicap Differential Average multiplied by 96% (Bonus for Excellence)
2. Truncate (delete) digits after tenths place
3. 9-hole Handicap Index = 6.8 for Dave, 23.2 for Ed

Course handicap was calculated by this formula: Course Handicap = Index x (Slope Rating of Tee on Course / 113)
For Auburn front side, Course Handicap = Index x (114 / 113)
So, for Dave we have 6.8018, rounded to 7.  For Ed, 23.4053 rounded to 23

 The system used by the USGA (and us) in 2020 uses a different approach:

1. Sum & average the lowest 8 of the last 20 Handicap Differentials
2. Delete the 96% factor (Bonus for Excellence)
2. Truncate (delete) digits after tenths place
3. 9-hole Handicap Index = 6 for Dave, 23.0 for Ed

Course handicap is now calculated by this formula: Course Handicap = Index x (Slope Rating/113) + (Course Rating - Par)
For Auburn front side, Course Handicap = Index x (114 / 113) + (34.2-35)
So, for Dave we have 6.26194, rounded to 6. For Ed, 23.41238 rounded to 23

I'll be converting all of our handicap data to the new system prior to the Frostbite tournament.  You can expect to see your indexes move slightly - some may, others may not.

Note to you few golf junkies: The new system is not embraced by all; here is a LINK to an article by the godfather of handicapping, Dean Knuth.