Date Published: 17/12/2025
For many golfers, particularly those playing outside a traditional club environment, the question often arises: how long before golf handicaps expire?
Whether you’re returning to the game after a break or managing your handicap through a digital platform like iGolf, it’s important to understand how handicap status is maintained and what causes it to become inactive.
In this blog, we explain how long a golf handicap remains valid, what happens if it lapses, and how you can keep yours active under the World Handicap System™ (WHS™).
No, a golf handicap does not expire.
Under the World Handicap System™, your Handicap Index® is not automatically removed simply because you stop playing.
However, if you leave a golf club or your iGolf subscription ends and you do not rejoin another authorised handicapping body, your handicap can become inactive.
An inactive handicap remains on record but is not considered current or valid until it is reactivated by rejoining a club or service and submitting new qualifying scores.
An inactive or lapsed handicap means:
Golfers returning after a long absence are encourage to submit scores again and can request a handicap review if they feel their index does not reflect their new ability.
The best way to keep your handicap active and correct is to post scores regularly, ideally several rounds per year.
The World Handicap System™ calculates your index based on the most recent 20 rounds, using the best 8 differentials to determine your playing ability. If you’re not playing or recording rounds, the system doesn’t have enough data to keep your index current.
With digital platforms like iGolf, it’s easy to manage your handicap year-round, even if you’re not a member of a traditional golf club. For £46 per year, iGolf provides access to an Handicap Index® under the WHS™, allowing you to submit general play scores from qualifying courses across England.