The way golfers around the world will calculate their handicaps is set to be transformed by a new system developed by the USGA and The R&A, designed to provide all golfers with a more consistent measure of playing ability. The new World Handicap System will be implemented in January of 2020.

The new system will feature the following:

Calculation of a golfer's handicap that is more reflective of potential ability. Instead of taking the best ten scores of 20 played, the new formula uses the best eight scores, plus factoring in a memory of very low scores outside the normal range of a golfer's demonstrated ability.

A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap is now three rounds, or 54 holes. Previously this minimum was five rounds, or 90 holes.

A calculation that considers the impact that abnormal course and weather conditions might have on a player's performance each day. In order for these "weather effects" to apply, you must post your score on the day you play. Daily handicap revisions, taking account of the course and weather conditions calculation, will apply.

A limit of Double Bogey plus any handicap strokes you would get on a given hole. Example: A Course Handicap of 18 receives one stroke per hole for 18 holes. Thus the player's max score is triple bogey on any hole. If a player's handicap is 15, then his max score is triple bogey for the holes rated as the 15 most difficult. For the holes handicapped as 16, 17, or 18, the player's max score is double bogey only.

The maximum handicap limit is now 54.0, increased from the previous 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women. As a club, we will still cap individual tournament play at 36 for all golfers, but team events will be affected by this new rule.

What is important for all golfers is that they must know their course handicap before play in order to determine on which holes a maximum score applies.