Participation in golf is on the rise, with 14 million handicap cards submitted in Great Britain and Ireland last year, reflecting an increase of 1.4 million from 2023, largely driven by competition play.

In light of Rory McIlroy's recent Masters victory, which is expected to boost interest in the sport, The R&A has issued a warning to golfers against cheating on their handicaps.

The World Handicapping System (WHS), introduced in 2020, aims to make golf more inclusive by allowing players to obtain a handicap without needing club membership, applicable at any course worldwide.

Under the WHS, players can submit scores from general play, relying on their honesty to accurately reflect their true abilities, which in turn impacts their handicap index.

However, The R&A acknowledges that the WHS is vulnerable to abuse, as some players manipulate their handicaps to gain an unfair advantage in amateur competitions.

Grant Moir, R&A's executive director of governance, expressed concerns that a minority of players are distorting the system, which undermines competition integrity and perceptions of the WHS.

Moir emphasized that the integrity of players is crucial for upholding the rules of golf and handicapping, advocating for a collective effort to challenge dishonest behavior.

He also noted that deliberately breaching the rules constitutes cheating, urging players to maintain integrity in both golfing and handicapping practices.

To address these issues, The R&A is collaborating with national golf organizations to remind golfers and committees of their responsibilities under the WHS.

Officials are encouraging golfers to submit more general play scores to fully realize the benefits of the new handicap system.

Information is being disseminated to millions of recreational players in Great Britain and Ireland about the importance of adhering to the WHS.