Handicap and Course Rating
The purpose of the World Handicap System (WHS) is to make the game of golf more enjoyable for golfers by providing a consistent means of measuring one’s performance and progress and to enable golfers of differing abilities to compete, or play a casual round, with anyone else on a fair and equal basis.
Through the WHS, each golfer establishes a “Handicap Index” which is the measure of a player’s demonstrated ability on a course of standard playing difficulty.
WHS - 2024 Changes
For information on the changes from the Rules of Handicapping 2024 revision, please view the link below:
2024 World Handicap System Updates
For additional information on the World Handicap System, please click on a topic to view a short informative video:
Playing Conditions Calculation
Maximum Hole Score (Net Double Bogey)
For a 30 minute video intended for general education of the World Handicap System, please click below. This video will compare rules of handicapping before and after the change, and provide explanations as to the reasons for the change.
Golf Canada WHS General Education Video
Rules of Handicapping
The Rules of Handicapping consists of revised definitions, seven (7) rules – each of which are prefaced with a Principle Statement (setting out the philosophy behind the Rule), and Appendices which contain further, more detailed information. Interpretations, examples and illustrations have also been included to highlight and explain key principles. The Rules of Handicapping are divided into five sections:
1) Fundamentals of Handicapping (Rule 1)
2) Scores for Handicap Purposes (Rules 2-4)
3) Handicap Calculation and Updating a Handicap Index (Rules 5-6)
4) Administration of a Handicap Index (Rule 7)
5) Appendices (A-G)
Use the Rules of Handicapping whenever a question arises about the World Handicap System. Knowing the proper procedure will help provide a framework for equitable and enjoyable games.
As the owner of the term Golf Canada and a Licensee of USGA and The R&A trademarks and service marks included in the Rules of Handicapping, Golf Canada has the sole right to authorize the use of those marks by others.
For more information including:
- Frequently asked questions
- Official game formats
- “Ask an expert” contact information
Please visit the Handicapping section of the Golf Canada website HERE
Handicap Certification Seminars
As the governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada requires that all member clubs have at least one certified Handicap Official, as well as have a Handicap Committee in place.
Alberta Golf will offer annual in-person Handicap Certification Seminars as well as an online option for certification.
Please note that all Spring Handicap Certification Seminars have been cancelled. Availability of Fall seminars will be reassessed at a future date.
In order to help each club achieve this requirement, Golf Canada is pleased to launch the Online Rules of Handicapping Certification — a series of videos will guide you through the Rules of Handicapping, providing the knowledge necessary to achieve certification and successfully oversee handicap duties at your club. Please be sure to watch all 3 videos and complete the quiz to obtain your Handicap Certification.
Rules of Handicapping Certification Seminar – Video
Online Quiz for Handicap Certification
Course Rating
The purpose of the Golf Canada Course Rating System is to measure and rate the relative difficulty of golf courses across Canada so that a player’s Handicap Factor is accurate and transportable from golf course to golf course. The Course Rating System takes into account factors that affect the playing difficulty of a golf course including yardage, effective playing length and number of obstacle factors such as topography, elevation, doglegs, prevailing wind, bunkering, etc.
After a thorough study of the Course and Slope Rating System developed by the United States Golf Association (USGA), Golf Canada approved and adopted the system for Canada in January 1995.
The Golf Canada Course Rating System consists of two basic elements:
Golf Canada Course Rating – the evaluation of the playing difficulty of a course for scratch golfers under normal course and weather conditions expressed as number of strokes (e.g. 72.5).
Golf Canada Slope Rating – the evaluation of the relative difficulty of a course for players who are not scratch golfers compared to the difficulty of the course for scratch golfers. The lowest Slope Rating is 55 and the highest 155. A course of standard playing difficulty will have a Slope Rating of 113.
Every member golf course should have an Golf Canada Course Rating and Slope Rating for each set of tees at the course. These ratings are used in the calculation of the Golf Canada Handicap Factor and for determining a player’s Course Handicap for a given round. Accuracy and consistency are the keys to effective course rating. Alberta Golf rates golf courses in accordance with the system and this ensures that Course Ratings are accurate and uniform from coast to coast. Only an Alberta Golf team of course raters may rate golf courses.