Handicapping Rule Change

[mpare]

I began a thread elsewhere on the wisdom of yesterday's USGA announcement that solo rounds could no longer be posted for handicapping purposes. I could find no similar announcement by Golf Canada or the R&A. Does this mean that nothing will change in Canada such that solo rounds are eligible to be posted for handicap purposes?

[ColinL]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

I began a thread elsewhere on the wisdom of yesterday's USGA announcement that solo rounds could no longer be posted for handicapping purposes. I could find no similar announcement by Golf Canada or the R&A. Does this mean that nothing will change in Canada such that solo rounds are eligible to be posted for handicap purposes?

I don’t know about Golf Canada, but the R&A does not have a locus in handicapping in its jurisdiction. In the UK and Ireland, handicapping is in the hands of CONGU, a union of the home nations of the UK and Ireland (including the Republic). Elsewhere in Europe, handicapping is done by The European Golf Association (EGA). In both CONGU and EGA handicapping, only scores from rounds played under competition conditions are counted towards handicap which means you always have a marker.

The USGA includes rules and handicapping in its remit.

[mpare]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Thanks. I hadn't realized that. Does that mean that non-competitive players don't have handicaps or am I misconstruing "competitive conditions"?

I don’t know about Golf Canada, but the R&A does not have a locus in handicapping in its jurisdiction. In the UK and Ireland, handicapping is in the hands of CONGU, a union of the home nations of the UK and Ireland (including the Republic). Elsewhere in Europe, handicapping is done by The European Golf Association (EGA). In both CONGU and EGA handicapping, only scores from rounds played under competition conditions are counted towards handicap which means you always have a marker.

The USGA includes rules and handicapping in its remit.

[Shadow]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

I began a thread elsewhere on the wisdom of yesterday's USGA announcement that solo rounds could no longer be posted for handicapping purposes. I could find no similar announcement by Golf Canada or the R&A. Does this mean that nothing will change in Canada such that solo rounds are eligible to be posted for handicap purposes?

The handicap system relies on the honesty and integrity of the individual player and without those two ideals, the system becomes a farce. Does it not seem that those who are honest are being punished for the actions of the dishonest? One premise of the system is to try to play each stroke in a round to the best of one's ability and one does not need to be playing with others to do this.

[mpare]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

I agree. That is the sentiment that I expressed in the other thread, but not as eloquently.

The handicap system relies on the honesty and integrity of the individual player and without those two ideals, the system becomes a farce. Does it not seem that those who are honest are being punished for the actions of the dishonest? One premise of the system is to try to play each stroke in a round to the best of one's ability and one does not need to be playing with others to do this.

[bogey5]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

I don’t know about Golf Canada, but the R&A does not have a locus in handicapping in its jurisdiction. In the UK and Ireland, handicapping is in the hands of CONGU, a union of the home nations of the UK and Ireland (including the Republic). Elsewhere in Europe, handicapping is done by The European Golf Association (EGA). In both CONGU and EGA handicapping, only scores from rounds played under competition conditions are counted towards handicap which means you always have a marker.

The USGA includes rules and handicapping in its remit.

What percentage of golfers in UK/Ireland play in "official" handicapped tournaments? In N America I'd suggest it's a pretty small percentage of players.

[wlorcb]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

What percentage of golfers in UK/Ireland play in "official" handicapped tournaments? In N America I'd suggest it's a pretty small percentage of players.

It is actually a different flip on the question.

100% of players with a handicap in the UK/Ireland play in 'official' tournaments. Official tournament just means a club sanctioned event, either inter or intra club. It is the only way you can get a h/c over there, and you have to play in a minimum number to keep the h/c current.

Our situation on the good side of the pond is different. The USGA decided that all rounds should count toward the h/c, so we have a large percentage of players with a h/c who never go into an event.

The percentage of golfers with a h/c over here is around 20-25%. Of those, who knows how many regularly enter events.
I do not know what percentage of golfers over there have a h/c, but human nature suggests it would be about the same.

[wlorcb]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Thanks. I hadn't realized that. Does that mean that non-competitive players don't have handicaps or am I misconstruing "competitive conditions"?

In one of the other threads, I believe it was aaagc, posted a very good link to the CONGU site which explained what a club had to do to have a competitive competition, and how the h/c were calculated based on playing in such rounds. Apart from Club Championships, most club events on this side of the pond would not qualify for being used for a h/c(at least not at the 3 clubs I have belonged to).

[aaagc]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Thanks. I hadn't realized that. Does that mean that non-competitive players don't have handicaps or am I misconstruing "competitive conditions"?

Virtually all members of clubs (in the CONGU area) have official handicaps. It is estimated that just under 50% of players are members of clubs. The non members (so called itinerants or independents) simply pay green fees at clubs or play on "pay'n'play" courses and do not have handicaps.

All clubs are obliged to run sufficient qualifying competitions each year to enable all members to have the opportunity of maintaining a realistic handicap. Usually at least one a week.
Members who play less than 3 have their handicap marked as 'non competition', which in effect means they cannot win prizes in competitions. They are usually allowed to play in competition but only as a means of getting their handicap back to competition status.
Qualifying competitions are singles medal or stableford played strictly to the RoG. In addition players can return Supplementary Scores (played on their own with a marker). But they have to register their intent before playing.

[LobWedge]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

I began a thread elsewhere on the wisdom of yesterday's USGA announcement that solo rounds could no longer be posted for handicapping purposes. I could find no similar announcement by Golf Canada or the R&A. Does this mean that nothing will change in Canada such that solo rounds are eligible to be posted for handicap purposes?

The Golf Canada Handicap Committee is still reviewing the information.

[LobWedge]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

The Golf Canada Handicap Committee is still reviewing the information.

Well, that was quick. Golf Canada just tweeted that they will not implement the mandatory peer review changes adopted by the USGA.

[mpare]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Good.

Well, that was quick. Golf Canada just tweeted that they will not implement the mandatory peer review changes adopted by the USGA.

[Benz]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Our situation on the good side of the pond is different. The USGA decided that all rounds should count toward the h/c, so we have a large percentage of players with a h/c who never go into an event.

Just to clarify, the USGA does not define the Rules of Golf in Canada.

[wlorcb]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Just to clarify, the USGA does not define the Rules of Golf in Canada.

Yep, Golf Canada(nee RCGA) does.

Can anyone point to a Canadian only rule in the RoG? Not even our desperately needed leaf rule?

Can anyone point out the h/c difference between the USGA and Golf Canada?(I know there used to be one, but I am not sure if that still applies in this time frame)((no points for stating they have an 'index' and we have a 'factor'))

[NiagaraGolfGirl]

Re: Handicapping Rule Change

Yep, Golf Canada(nee RCGA) does.

Can anyone point to a Canadian only rule in the RoG? Not even our desperately needed leaf rule?

Can anyone point out the h/c difference between the USGA and Golf Canada?(I know there used to be one, but I am not sure if that still applies in this time frame)((no points for stating they have an 'index' and we have a 'factor'))

Up until a couple of years ago there was a difference in equitable stroke control. Then Golf Canada decided to adopt the USGA way apparently to deal with all the snowbirds who play golf in the US over the winter. I'd bet less than 1% of snowbirds ever post their scores.