World Handicap System

The new golf handicap system and what it means

The Scapbook

Bringing golf in to the modern era

To make golf more inclusive and fair across the world, the R&A together with the United States Golf Association have created the World Handicap System. The World Handicap System brings together the strengths of the six current systems used around the world in to one system for all. We created a series of four films to introduce this critical change in golf to the global golfing community.

The challenge

Golf handicapping is complex; we had to explain the World Handicap System in a way that was easy to understand and accessible to all in the golfing community, winning people over to this new way of playing and competing at golf. It was crucial we covered important details and intricacies while being engaging, memorable and informative. This meant delivering huge amounts of content in three-minute films. The films had to be inclusive, reaching golfers of all abilities, wherever they were across the globe. Consistency was essential, the films not only had to fit in with the WHS brand but also with each other, using the same visual style to cover a broad range of topics.

The films

Over four films we visualised the story of the World Handicap System. We focused on the player journey, the handicap formula, course and slope rating, inclusivity and safeguarding. These films explained how the new system will function and what it means for golfers.

The first film introduces the World Handicap System. The global nature of the system was reflected by a range of courses shaped to resemble the continents, with elements such as raccoons and alligators adding charm and boosting engagement. An array of visual metaphors such as life rings encapsulating safeguarding, were incorporated to make the information widely accessible and memorable.

The second film looked in greater detail at the handicap formula. The information was mapped around the centrepiece of a tape measure, connecting key elements of the narrative while providing space to layer information. Alongside visual metaphors, visual devices such as notepad pages and iPad screens presented information in a relevant and relatable way.

The third film covered course and slope ratings. We used an infographic style to communicate lots of technical data in an accurate and engaging way. These were supported by a range of characters providing context and charm. Visual metaphors such as courses being measured by professionals completed the aesthetic, making the information presented more impactful.

The final film explained the system’s inclusivity. Icons such as birthday cakes and flags symbolised traits like age and nationality in widely understandable ways. To fit the subject, this film was staged on golf courses styled as the handicap indexes it discussed. This film used relatable characters to move the narrative forward and connect to viewers.

About the client

The St Andrews-based R&A and the United States Golf Association are the golfing national bodies for the UK and US. They led the project to create the World Handicap System on behalf of all golfing national bodies across the world. Working with them, our films raised awareness about the system and informed the golfing public about key information.

The context

For more information on the World Handicap System, click here.