Golfers in Wales have been urged to download the official new Wales Golf App, to understand the new World Golf Handicap Index and help them play competitively anywhere in Wales.
Just under half of golf club members in Wales have registered on the Wales Golf Portal, https://www.walesgolf.org/my-wales-golf-whs-player-portal/ , which provides all the details about their World Handicap Index under the new system brought in this month.
The governing body for golf in Wales is now the central place for the handicap system, which will allow equal competition between all golfers around the world, with a fairly calculated handicap index that is easily transferable to different courses and tees.
While players can get information through their clubs and will need to know their handicap to play in competitions, registering through the Wales Golf Portal makes it simple and the Wales Golf App makes it easier still to find out the information for the course you are playing by using the in-App Course Handicap calculator.
Welsh golfers also have the chance to sign up for a Wales Golf Newsletter to keep them in touch with the sport in Wales.
“The App is available for iPhones and Android devices and the feedback we have received has been really positive,” said Wales Golf handicapping and club services manager Sandy Veale.
“People can use their Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) membership number to register their account which shows their Handicap Index and how it is calculated under the new system based on the average of the best eight if they have a full 20 qualifying scores.
“A Course Handicap calculator is built into the Wales Golf App, making it is easy to check the right handicap for any course and set of tees in Wales, as well as the number of holes being played.
“The Wales Golf App makes that simple, it is easy to check the right number of shots for any course in Wales and for any set of tees.
“Some people may be a little daunted by the World Handicap Index because it is a new system and the numbers do change to make it a fairer figure for different courses.
“However the new App makes it easy for a player to check their Handicap Index and play off the correct Course Handicap, as well as connecting with golfing friends and receiving communication from Wales Golf.”
Part of the changing World Handicap Index system also allows members to register through the Wales Golf Portal
“I’m pleased to say we are approaching the 20,000 mark for members registering through the Wales Golf Portal, which is getting close to half the members in Wales,” said Veale.
“Members can find out that information via traditional methods, but the Portal and the App makes things very simple and bring a modern approach.
“As with any new system there have been some teething problems for a handful of people, but on the whole we are delighted with the way the introduction of the system has been going and would like to thank club officials round Wales for helping to make that happen.
“Of course, golf club members can sign up at any time. It is a new system and fewer people play over the winter, so we are pleased with progress so far and hope the rest of club members in Wales will sign up in due course.
“They will also have access to the Wales Golf Newsletter, which will provide information about Wales Golf, what is going on at clubs and opportunities for club members.”
The Wales Golf App can be downloaded from the usual sources on any iPhone or Android device.
