New handicap updates are released
14.03.06

The latest updates to the operation of the unified handicapping system in England have just been released by ELGA and the English Golf Union.

Full details of their new directions and decisions are among the wide-ranging information available for quick download on the CONGU download file opposite:

The unified handicapping system was introduced on 1 February 2004 by the Council of National Golf Unions. ELGA and the EGU administer and manage the scheme in England for members of their affiliated clubs.

A brief guide to CONGU Handicapping

A player’s Exact Handicap is her handicap calculated to one decimal place.

A player’s Playing Handicap is her Exact Handicap calculated to the nearest whole number (0.5 is rounded upwards). The Buffer Zone is the margin within which an exact handicap remains unchanged.

Handicaps are divided into the following categories, each with a Buffer Zone.

Category 1: Handicaps 5 or less Buffer Zone 0 to +1
Category 2: Handicaps of 6 to 12 Buffer Zone 0 to +2
Category 3: Handicaps of 13 to 20 Buffer Zone 0 to +3
Category 4: Handicaps of 21 to 28 Buffer Zone 0 to +4
Category 5: Handicaps of 29 to 36 Buffer Zone 0 to +5

A Qualifying Competition is any competition in which Medal Play Conditions prevail and a CSS is calculated, subject to restrictions and limitations contained in the Scheme or imposed by the Union. A Qualifying Score is any score including a “no return” returned in a Qualifying Competition.

The Nett Differential is the difference (+ or -) between the nett score returned in a Qualifying Competition and the CSS after the application of Clause 19.8.

The Standard Scratch Score (SSS) is the score allotted to an 18 hole golf course and is the score that a scratch player is expected to return in ideal conditions over a measured course.

The Competition Scratch Score (CSS) is the adjustment that may be necessary to the SSS to take account of weather and course conditions and must be calculated for all Qualifying Competitions.

Clause 19.8
All holes completed – the players Nett Differential is reduced by the number of strokes taken on any hole in excess of nett double bogey.

Holes with no score recorded – A score of nett double bogey is entered.

Alteration of Handicaps
If a player after the application of Clause 19.8 returns a score with a nett differential

• Within the Buffer Zone the handicap is not changed.
• Above the Buffer Zone or records a “no return” the exact handicap is increased by 0.1.
• Of less than zero the Exact Handicap is reduced by an amount per stroke being determined by the Handicap Category as follows:

Category 1 = 0.1
Category 2 = 0.2
Category 3 = 0.3
Category 4 = 0.4
Category 5 = 0.5

General Play

Whenever the Handicap Committee of the player’s Home Club consider that a player’s handicap is too high or too low and does not reflect her current ability adjustment must be made within the guidelines set out in Clause 19 of the Handicapping Scheme.

Handicap Committees are required to conduct an annual review of Handicaps.

The Player’s Obligations

• To have one handicap which shall be allotted and adjusted by her Home Club and is applicable at all other clubs.
• If a member of more than one Affiliated Club to nominate one as her Home Club and notify that club and the others of her choice.
• Not to change her Home Club without appropriate advance warning.To ensure that all competition cards in Qualifying Competitions, whether or not complete, are returned to the organizing committee, and make such computer entries as may be required.
• To report to her Home Club as soon as practically possible all qualifying scores, including “No Returns”, returned away from her Home Club advising date, venue, CSS, gross score (par and stableford points if appropriate) and such other information as her Home Club may require.
• In order to allow calculation of the CSS enter the playing handicap on all cards returned even though the competition may not be a handicap competition.
• Prior to playing in any competition at a club other than the Home Club to ensure that any appropriate reduction in Playing Handicap has been made.
• A Handicap may be suspended if the player constantly or blatantly fails to comply with the obligations imposed by the scheme.
• Failure to report scores returned away from home when so required is likely to lead to suspension of handicap.
  

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