Top coach calls for completely new golf handicap system

The World Handicap System (WHS) is no stranger to scrutiny from golfers all over the world.

As part of an ongoing review, the R&A and the USGA announced updates to the system in 2024, but there have been positives.

While the rules have faced criticism, many countries have seen large increases in the number of scores submitted for handicapping purposes since the WHS was introduced.

And, of course, it makes golf the only sport in which recreational players stand a chance of beating fully-fledged professionals.

However, there are some flaws to handicapping – and top swing coach Peter Kostis is concerned by one in particular.

So much so that the 77-year-old has called for the introduction of a completely new golf handicap system altogether. Here’s his case.

“Let’s take a 12-handicap,” Kostis said on a recent episode of ‘Kostis & McCord: Off Their Rockers’.

“Not all 12-handicappers are the same. If you take a 12-handicapper who cannot hit the ball 200 yards and the hole is 401 [yards], they’re not gonna get there. So, they’re limited.

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“They have to rely on a great short game, but they’re never gonna be able to get down to a lower handicap just from the length.

“Now you take a 12-handicap who hits it 300 [yards], obviously, that person, if they can hit it 300, they must have a sh***y short game or can’t putt or whatever.

“But on a given day, they’re gonna be able to chip and putt, they can find a chipping stroke, they can find a putting stroke, and with their 300-yard distance capabilities, they can play to a 4-handicap.”

That means, according to Kostis, driving distance must be factored into the handicap system.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, [but] there’s gotta be a way of constructing a new handicap system that takes into consideration how far you can hit the ball,” he said.

And Gary McCord agreed. “It should be swing speed for the handicap,” he said.

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Back to the point about us mere mortals beating tour pros, and Kostis and McCord couldn’t disagree more, insisting it doesn’t go low enough.

“[Jon] Rahm is a plus 7.6,” McCord said. “That’s garbage,” Kostis replied.

“So he gives me eight, and literally I have no chance,” McCord said.

“There’s gotta be a new way of using today’s statistical approach to everything, to organise a handicap system that is fairer for everybody concerned,” Kostis said.

We’ll leave this one for the handicap team to ponder.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.