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With Rory McIlroy’s Masters success – and career Grand Slam – expected to inspire a surge in participation, golf bosses are warning humble hackers to avoid cheating on their handicaps.
Millions of recreational players in Great Britain and Ireland are being sent information on how to stick to the rules of the controversial World Handicapping System (WHS) which was introduced in 2020.
Administrators admit the system is open to abuse and some players artificially manipulate handicaps to improve their chances of winning amateur competitions.
“Through our research it’s clear that in Great Britain and Ireland there are some specific concerns around the system,” Grant Moir, the R&A’s executive director of governance told BBC Sport.
“And particularly there is a perception that there are a small minority of players that are manipulating the system.
“We recognise that even if it is only a small number doing this then it can impact on competition golf and it negatively impacts on golfers’ opinions of WHS.
WHS was brought in to help make golf more inclusive. Players do not have to be a club member to acquire a handicap which can then be used at any course in the world.
In line with scores submitted, golfers are given a ‘handicap index’ which will provide the appropriate number of shots for the difficulty of the course they are playing. This should enable players of all abilities to play against each other.
Under the new system, scores from ‘general play’, rather than solely from rounds in formal competitions, can be submitted. The arrangement depends on the honesty of golfers to enter scores that reflect their true ability.
“The rules of golf and handicapping rely on the integrity of players,” Moir added. “And we all need to be prepared to challenge any behaviour that lacks that integrity.
“We want golfers to take the same view on the rules of handicapping as they would on the rules of golf.
“We know that it is very, very rare for people to seek to play other than in accordance with the rules of golf and we need people to view the rules of handicapping in exactly the same way.”
Golfers and club committees are receiving reminders on how the system should be implemented.
“We’ve got a social media and e-newsletter campaign,” Moir said. “We at the R&A are collaborating with England Golf, Golf Ireland, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf to address some of these concerns.
“The principle purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness among golfers, but also with handicapping committees as to what their own responsibilities are within the rules.”
Officials insist the new system works well and point to growing participation numbers, which are expected to be further boosted by McIlroy’s dramatic and inspirational play-off win in Augusta.
Last year, 14 million handicap cards were submitted in Great Britain and Ireland – up 1.4 million on 2023 – while nine million of those came from competition play.
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