How to get a Handicap

Step I – start your handicap application

You must tell us whether you have ever held a golf handicap before and, if so, where and when. If you have never held an official golf handicap, but have other evidence of your previous playing standard, you must advise us of this, as such evidence is considered when allotting new handicaps.

Step II – register with England Golf (EG) and install the myEG app

We will provide you with a ten-digit CDH number, which will also be your EG membership number.

In order to do this, we are required to provide your name, email address and date of birth to England Golf, as this is a pre-condition from England Golf for them to issue a CDH number and a WHS handicap. The CDH number is a unique number that will identify you and your handicap records in England Golf’s WHS Platform, the central system for administration of all WHS handicaps for golf club members in England.

[NOTE: The Handicap Committee will assume that you have provided your permission, to Get Golfing, for us to share these details with England Golf. If, for any reason, you do not wish us to do so, then please let us know. However, this will mean that you will not be able to obtain a WHS handicap. Also, it is likely that this will invalidate the public liability cover that you are entitled to, as part of your England Golf affiliation, as a member of an England Golf affiliated Golf Club.]

The SOGC Handicap Committee will add your CDH number to your record on SOGC’s Golf Genius (GoGen) competition system. Your Golf Genius record will be linked, via your CDH number, to the WHS system, so that your future handicap scores, (competitions and General Play), can be uploaded and your latest WHS Handicap Index can be downloaded to the GoGen system.

After receiving a CDH number, you can register with England Golf.

You will be able to use your CDH number to register to access your England Golf account and to install the England Golf “myEG” app on your mobile device. See: WHS and the myEG app

Step III – submit scores for initial handicap assessment

You must submit a total of 54 holes, in any mix of 18-hole or nine-hole scores. These rounds must be played according to the Rules of Golf, in Stroke Play format (Medal or Stableford).

You can arrange your own tee times and marker/attester for these rounds. Alternatively, you can enter draws for Weekday Rollups or for most other singles club competitions. To play in the draw for a Rollup event, contact Roly Richardson at [email protected]. To play in the draw for a club competition, contact [email protected]. Dates for all future competitions can be viewed via the Golf Genius app.

These rounds must be submitted using the myEG app, following the process as for General Play scores, which is given here: General Play Scores. Note that you must pre-register on the myEG app before you start the round.

Step IV – handicap allotment and submitting further scores

As soon as your 54 holes of scoring have been submitted, your handicap will be allotted. The Handicap Committee will take into account, as well as the submitted scores, evidence of any previous handicap or recent scoring history.

After you have been allotted your initial WHS Handicap Index, it is advisable to submit some additional General Play scores, which will help to stabilise your handicap, as a reliable indication of your current scoring ability.

Handicap Committee
Last updated by John Taylor: 21st February, 2025