Competitive HGS-Administered Handicaps (CHAHs)
The introduction of the World Handicap System on 2nd November 2020 had a major impact on HGS events going forward. Handicap changes became more frequent and more volatile as a golfer's performance changes from one game to another.
A golfer has a Handicap Index calculated by England Golf if they submit a minimum of 3 cards over 24 months via their golf club. This is used to calculate the Playing Handicap at a particular course on a particular day, based upon the Slope Rating (an assessment of the difficulty of the course) and other adjustments that may apply.
However, not all HGS members are currently members of golf clubs or do not submit cards for handicap purposes. It is considered by the HGS Committee that these members should follow the same system as active club golfers and that there is a clear way forward involving the use of such members' scores in previous HGS events.
To this end, a spreadsheet has been set up which calculates a Competitive HGS-Administered Handicap (CHAH) Handicap Index for HGS golfers who do not have a WHS Handicap Index but have played in HGS qualifying events over the previous 3 years. The same calculations as used by WHS have been used to generate a Handicap Index (extended to include golfers who have only played 1 or 2 events during the period).
The latest CHAH Handicap Indexes (last calculated on 23rd April 2024) are:
| HGS COURSES PLAYED (qualifiers over the last 36 months) | ||
| HGS MEMBERS WITHOUT WHS HANDICAP INDEX | CHAH Handicap Index | Basis of Calculation |
| Morton, Phil (G) | 36.0 | Revised Provisional Handicap Index after 2 HGS events |
| Priest, Darren | 14.2 | 20 cards; average of lowest 8 |
| Pulleyn, Rob | 30.2 | Average of previous HGS playing handicap & 1 card |
| Smith, John (G) | 18.0 | Provisional Handicap Index |
| Weightman, Alister | 28.6 | 4 cards; lowest 1, -1 adjustment |
Click here for a PDF version of the detailed CHAH calculation spreadsheet.