Last updated: 6 April 2020
A golf handicap is a standard barometer to compare golfers with different levels of skill. Among the most important ways, a handicap serves golfers by allowing them to measure the improvement in skill level.
For instance, a golfer with a 20 handicap who drops to a 12 handicap has a measurable improvement of eight strokes per round. The handicap also gives golfers a target for continued improvement.
In this article, we compare the differences between GOLF Link, World Handicap System (WHS) and Deemples. Read on to find out what makes each system unique.
GOLF Link
GLink is the Australian national handicapping service devised by Golf Australia, the governing body for golf in Australia. Introduced in 1999, the handicapping service calculates all official Australian handicaps.
Having a membership means you can turn up at any golf club and verify your handicap. You can then play your round and have your handicap updated automatically.
Golf clubs can create and process competitions by sending scores to the central server for handicap calculation. After a competition closes, the system automatically updates the handicaps of the golfers in the competition.
In order to obtain a membership, you will need to be a member of a golf club or a social golf club. Click here to read a handy guide on social golf clubs in Australia.
As of 30th January 2020, it processes handicaps using the new World Handicap System.
World Handicap System
A new World Handicap System (WHS) was introduced to the golfing world in 2020 as the new global standard. Previously, there were six different handicap systems used around the world. Each system is well developed and successfully provides equity for play locally. However, each of the different systems produces slightly different results when calculating players’ handicaps. The WHS will unify these six existing systems into a single system that:
- enable golfers of different abilities to play and compete on a fair and equal basis.
- be easy to understand and implement, without sacrificing accuracy; and
- meet the varied needs and expectations of golfers, golf clubs and golf authorities all around the world and be adaptable to suit all golfing cultures.
The WHS involves less change for Australia than it does for any other country. While the list of changes is outside the scope of this article, you can find out more on Golf Australia.
Deemples
With the introduction of the World Handicap System, everyone can golf together, anywhere in the world.
While the other 2 are handicap systems, Deemples is a FREE golf app. At the moment, these 6 countries will "never golf alone" – Australia (starting with VIC), Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore.
Deemples fills the void that no other site does. And that is solving the problem of finding other golfers to golf with. The app allows you to join other golfer's games, or to create your own and let others join you.
Conclusion
The introduction of WHS will be a great boon to golf and anyone who wants to start getting into golf. It levels the playing field for golfers all around the world. Opens up many avenues for golfers to compete in tournaments - big and small. Deemples support that vision by allowing golfers to find other golfers to play with.
We hope you enjoyed reading our quick comparison of GOLF Link vs World Handicap System vs Deemples. To know more about Deemples, please click here.
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