Droppin' Strokes | Golf Blog

The World Handicap System has been around since 2020 but it has recently gone through a big change regarding how 9-hole rounds are included. Previously, 9-hole rounds would be combined with other 9-hole rounds to provide an 18-hole differential.

As of 2024, here’s how 9-hole rounds are calculated:

Once the player’s 9-hole Score Differential has been calculated, it is combined with an expected Score Differential based on the player’s current Handicap Index to create an 18-hole Score Differential. – Golf Canada

On the surface, this makes sense. If you can only play 9-holes then the system takes your current handicap into consideration to fill in the missing holes. The quoted article from Golf Canada goes on to say that “a good 9-hole round (relative to the player’s ability) will result in a good 18-hole Score Differential” but in practice, I’ve found it to be quite the opposite.

So far in 2024, my handicap factor has gone from 12.1 to 15.0. I admit I haven’t played great golf this season – but it hasn’t been that bad!  I’ve played 15 9-hole rounds and 7 18-hole rounds throughout the year, and I have a strong suspicion that those 9-hole scores have something to do with it.

Let’s take a look at my most recent round at my home course versus the same score last year.

Last year, a round of 40 on the front nine meant a differential of 5.1. My 40 on Tuesday, however, gave me a differential of 14.1.

So, while the World Handicap System says that a good 9-hole score will result in a good 18-hole differential, they go and slap me with 44 on the back 9 after shooting a 40 on the front? Forget that I’m currently 1.7 strokes better on average this season for the back 9. But I shoot 2 under my target score on the front and they give me those 2 strokes right back on the back? That doesn’t add up.

I don’t want to blame all my high handicap woes on the World Handicap System, that’s on my poor play to start the year. But fuck is it soul-crushing to have that excitement of a great round completely wiped out when you see your handicap factor shoot up another stroke.