12 Hole Format not authorised under WHS
Under the WHS Rules of Handicapping (Rule 2.1a), 12 holes is not currently an authorised format of play to be able to return scores for handicap. Under the system, players are not able to pre-register to submit a 12 hole general play score - at the present time it can only be either 9 or 18 hole formats.
These are the current Rules of WHS as it stands, although the R & A/USGA may look at options to expand this in the future which would require the option to pre-register for 12 holes and would need a recognised 12 hole Course & Slope Rating which the WHS system does not yet cater for and is not yet in place (only 9 or 18 holes).
With regards to the option of "scaling up", under WHS rules, this can only be done when players pre-register for an 18 hole round, and then there is a valid reason for them not being able to complete the 18 - for example, fading light, bad weather or injury/illness (Rule 3.2). It is only under these valid reasons whereby a score can be scaled up for handicap.
Just to re-iterate, this is not a Scottish Golf decision but instead is part of the Rules of Handicapping set by the USGA/R&A, and this is why we are not authorised to permit 12 hole counting scores for handicap purposes.
The USGA/R&A may be able to provide further updates for you with regards to possible timeframes for when this may be a possible format in the future.
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