Getting an Officially Recognised Golf Handicap
What is a Handicap in Golf?
Firstly its not your clubs. A handicap is a measure of the standard of golf that typically represents the number of strokes per round a player takes more than that which a "scratch" (zero handicapped) golfer is considered likely to score(*). For gents, there is a maximum handicap of 28. For Ladies, the maximum is 36. (*) This is our own interpretation. This is not explicity stated in the Handicapping System.
Is Handicapping the same for Ladies and Men?
With the introduction of the CONGU Unified Handicapping System on 1st February 2004 the same handicap system applies.
Who is the "Council of National Golf Unions"?
The Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) is a collection of representatives from the English Golf Union, English Ladies Golf Association, Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies Golfing Association, Welsh Golfing Union, Welsh Ladies Golf Union, the Golfing Union of Ireland and Irish Ladies Golf Union.In addition, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the Ladies Golf Union each have a representative on the Council.
Who can be given a CONGU® Handicap?
The only organisations that can allocate and administer CONGU® handicaps are "affiliated Clubs". These are clubs who have become a member of one of the National Unions, usually through affiliation to a County Union or Association.
These member clubs must pay a subscription for each playing member to their local 'Area' Authority and to their National Union, in part to cover the cost of operating the national scheme.
Golf Societies may not allocate CONGU® handicaps to their members. A handicap given by any organisation other than an "affiliated club" is not a CONGU® handicap.
These member clubs must pay a subscription for each playing member to their local 'Area' Authority and to their National Union, in part to cover the cost of operating the national scheme.
Golf Societies may not allocate CONGU® handicaps to their members. A handicap given by any organisation other than an "affiliated club" is not a CONGU® handicap.
How can I get a Handicap?
The only way to obtain a CONGU® handicap is to become a member of an affiliated club.
Can I lose my Handicap once I have been given one?
A Handicap is lost at the time you cease to be a member of an affiliated club. Handicaps can be suspended by the club when there has been a breach of the rules.
It is not normally possible for a club to remove or lapse a handicap simply because you have not played in many competitions. The exception to this is for clubs belonging to the Scottish Golf Union. Scottish Golf Clubs are be expected to 'star' players handicaps where the player has not played a minimum of three qualifying competitions between 'Annual Reviews'. Players who have a starred handicap will not be able to enter competitions requiring a CONGU® handicap.
How will I be allocated a Handicap by my Club?
Your club will ask you to submit three (or more) cards for consideration. A calculation is performed on each of the cards to discount any strokes you will have taken which are more than 2 over the par of any hole. The card with the lowest total (after this calculation) is then used to allocate a handicap. Your handicap is likely to be the difference between this total and the "Standard Scratch Score" of the course (clubs may vary from this if there is good cause to).
You will be given an "Exact Handicap" which will (typically) be a whole number and can be changed to a decimal number (e.g. 22.4) later on by the process described below. Your "Playing Handicap" (Handicap which will be used for competitions, etc.) is your Exact Handicap rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g. 22.4 = 22 Playing Handicap). Exact Handicaps ending in 0.5 are rounded up (e.g. 22.5 = 23 Playing Handicap).
What is the "Standard Scratch Score" of a course?
This is a score which a "scratch" (zero handicapped) player is considered to be expected to score around any particular golf course. It is usually identified on the scorecard as the SSS of the course.
How is the "Standard Scratch Score" of a course calculated?
The Standard Scratch Score (SSS) assessment is typically made by the County Unions on behalf of their National Union (especially England). Provisionally, it is based upon the total length of the course and need not match the sum of the Par's for each hole. Consideration is given to difficulty of natural conditions (number of hazards, etc.). Ultimately, it is a subjective assessment, typically made by a small 'committee' of top amateur golfers.
The Welsh Golfing Union and the Scottish Golfing Union now rate their courses using the 'Course Rating System of the United States Golf Association' as the basis.
The English Golf Union uses their own criteria for assessment. Here, when a club first requests a Standard Scratch Score for a course (perhaps the club is a new club, or they are opening a new or revised course), they will be allocated a 'Provisional' Standard Scratch Score based on the overall length of the course. This is based upon the 'Table of Provisional Standard Scratch Scores'. Later, a visual inspection and assessment may be made, taking into account playing difficulty of the course, etc. This may recommend an adjustment to the Provisional SSS, for the final SSS.
Currently, the English Golf Union weight the final assessment on the basis of 85% overall length and 15% difficulty of course, etc.
Table of Provisional Standard Scratch Scores
|
Standard length of Course |
Lengths included in Standard Length |
Provisional Standard Scratch Score |
|
Yards |
Yards |
|
|
7392 |
7282-7501 |
75 |
|
7172 |
7062-7281 |
74 |
|
6952 |
6842-7061 |
73 |
|
6732 |
6622-6841 |
72 |
|
6512 |
6402-6621 |
71 |
|
6292 |
6182-6401 |
70 |
|
6072 |
5962-6181 |
69 |
|
5852 |
5742-5961 |
68 |
|
5632 |
5522-5471 |
67 |
|
5412 |
5302-5521 |
66 |
|
5192 |
5082-5301 |
65 |
|
4972 |
4862-5081 |
64 |
|
4752 |
4642-4861 |
63 |
|
4532 |
4422-4641 |
62 |
|
4312 |
4202-4421 |
61 |
|
4092 |
3982-4201 |
60 |
What will cause my Handicap to change?
Handicaps change for one of two reasons:
You will have returned a score in a ‘handicap qualifying’ competition. This is a competition which has been identified (in advance) where handicaps will be adjusted, or you have submitted a Supplimentary Score in the absence of 'handicap qualifying competition' rounds.
In 2008 CONGU removed the element of 'General Play' as regards to the effect is has on a players Handicap. All Handicap Adjustments can now only come from Qualifying Competitions or Supplimentary Scores. The implementation of Supplimentary Scores is aimed at Golfers who haven't played in Qualifying Competitions, to submit up to 10 cards in a 12 month period for Handicap Purposes. The Golfer must make it known to the club before he/she begins their round that they are doing a Supplimentary Card and that regardless of score or circumstance the card must be submitted at the completion of the round. Failure to submit the card will result in the same penalties as if you were to do that in an Official Competition.
All Information Provided by the Congu Handicap Master Website
Obtaining an Initial Handicap at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club:
You must be a current member of Sudbrook Moor.
Sudbrook Moor will be your Home Club for handicap purposes.
You must then do the following:-
Fill in 3 cards played at Sudbrook Moor. The BEST card will be used to calculate your Initial Handicap. ( Scores of more than 2 over par at any hole will be rounded down to 2 over par for Initial Handicap cards )
A rounded down score of a maximum 91 is required to qualify for the maximum handicap of 28. ( 28 over the Standard Scratch Score of 63 from the yellow tees )
The Marker of the card must have an Official Handicap. The Marker need not be a member of Sudbrook Moor but must be a current member of a recognised Golf Club. Print your name on each card. Put "For Handicap" on each card. Date each card. Indicate the tees you play from. eg Yellow Tees ( Remember, you play to the Yellow flags for the first 9 holes and the Red flags for the second 9 holes ) Sign each card.
The Marker must sign and print name on each card and indicate their Home Club and Exact Handicap. Ask a member of the Professional staff in the Professional's Shop to check the cards for detail, before you hand them in. Save the 3 cards and put them in the appropriate box in the Lobby. If the cards have been completed correctly, your Handicap will be posted in the Lobby usually within one week.
If the cards have been handed in and are incorrect in any way, your Handicap will not be posted and no further action will be taken by the Handicap Secretary. If your Handicap has not been posted within one week, please contact the Handicap Secretary. Ladies' Handicap rules are similar but differ in certain details - please contact the Ladies' Handicap Secretary. Members please remember that it is your responsibility to play off the correct handicap at all times.
You have an Official Handicap elsewhere and you wish to transfer it to Sudbrook Moor Golf Club ( Sudbrook Moor to become your Home Club )
Sudbrook Moor Golf Club will only act as your HOME CLUB after receiving a copy of your Handicap Records ( not a handicap certificate) from your previous Home Club.
( Your Official Handicap will have lapsed if you have not been a member of any Recognised Club during the last 6 months. If this is the case then you will need to fill in 3 more cards at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club )
( Your Official Handicap will have lapsed if you have not been a member of any Recognised Club during the last 6 months. If this is the case then you will need to fill in 3 more cards at Sudbrook Moor Golf Club )
Information for players with HOME CLUB at Sudbrook Moor, who play in competitions elsewhere:-
The Standard Scratch Score and Handicapping Scheme. Effective 1st January 2001 Clause: -
- 13 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PLAYER. The player shall:-
- 13.1 Have one handicap only which shall be allotted and adjusted by his Home Club. That handicap shall apply elsewhere including other clubs of which the player is a Member.
- 13.2 If he is a Member of more than one Affiliated Club select one as his Home Club and notify that club and the others of his choice.
- 13.3 Not change his Home Club except by giving advance notice of the change which can take effect only at the end of the calendar year unless he has ceased to be a member of his Home Club or both clubs agree to the change taking place at an earlier date.
- 13.4 Report to his Home Club the names of all other affiliated clubs of which he is, becomes, or ceases to be, a Member and report to all other affiliated clubs of which he is a Member: (a) The name of his Home Club and any changes of his Home Club and (b) Alterations to his Playing Handicap made by his Home Club.
- 13.5 Ensure that before competing in a Qualifying Competition his entry has been inserted in the competition entry list, manually or by computer as required.
- 13.6 Ensure that all competition cards in Qualifying Competitions, whether or not complete, are returned to the Organising Committee, and make such computer entries as may be required
- 13.7 Subject to the provisions of clause 9.3 (b) report to his Home Club as soon as practicably possible all Qualifying Scores (including"NO RETURNS") returned away from his Home Club advising the Home Club of the date of the Qualifying Competition, the Venue and the Competition Scratch Score together with the following:- (a) After a Stroke Play Qualifying Competition the gross score returned and such further information as shall be . required by the Home Club. (b) After a Stableford Qualifying Competion the par of the course and the number of points scored. (c) After a Par Qualifying Competition the par for the course and the score versus par. Note 1: Players are reminded that failure to report scores returned away from their Home Clubs (Including No Returns) when so required by the scheme is likely to lead to the suspension of offending player's handicaps under the provision of clause 17. Note 2: In the event of a Qualifying Competition being declared abandoned or scores returned being deemed by clause 20 not to be Qualifying Scores the player is required to report the above information only if he has returned a Nett Differential of less than zero.
- 13.8 If so requested authorise his Home Club to provide the Union with such information as his Union shall reasonably require to establish a National Handicap Data Base and also sign any relevant document which may be required to comply with or satisfy Data Protection legislation.
- 13.9 Prior to playing in any competition at a club other than his Home Club ensure that any appropriate reduction to his Playing Handicap have been made or alternatively comply with the obligations set out in clause 16.11
- 13.10.Enter his current Playing Handicap on all cards returned in a Qualifying Competition even though the event may not be a handicap competition. This is to allow for the calculation of a Competition Scratch Score.
- 13.11 Provide to his Home Club such information regarding scores in Non Qualifying Competitions if so directed by a Union.
NOTE FROM HANDICAP SECRETARY - IN SHORT THE ABOVE MEANS :-
To ensure the correct application of 13.7. If Sudbrook Moor is your Home Club and you compete in any Qualifying or Non Qualifying competition at any other Club please ensure that your H/Cap Secretary receives ALL details (Score-Par- CSS.or SSS.-Venue etc.).
Contact Information for Club's Handicap Officials
Handicap Secretary - Tom Allman 01476 565889
Ladies & Junior Handicap Secretary - Judith Hutton 01400 250796