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| IS YOUR HANDICAP ACTIVE OR IN-ACTIVE |
| 07/01/2010 |
Are you Active or Inactive?
A significant change has been introduced which is designed to ensure players have an appropriate handicap in order to enter certain club competitions. The main principle behind the scheme is to exclude the so called ‘bandit’ who enters and wins competitions with very low score. These players generally avoid playing in qualifying competitions in order to keep their handicaps artificially high. The system has been launched on 1st January 2010 and will require all members with CONGU handicaps to return at least 3 qualifying scores each year to retain an active handicap.
Golf Clubs will be able to restrict entry to their competitions to only those players with active handicaps. It is expected that this restriction will apply to major competitions including ‘board’ and similar competitions with trophies as prizes. The restriction will also apply to match play competitions and our Open Days including Members and Guests. The remainder of club competitions will not be restricted to enable players with inactive handicaps an opportunity to enter and gain an active handicap.
A final decision on which restrictions will apply will be taken by the Management Committee at the end of January but I the meantime the following paragraphs will hopefully clarify the new arrangements.
What is an Active/Inactive handicap?
An Active handicap identifies to both the Home Club and Away Club that the player has returned at least 3 qualifying scores per annum. An Inactive handicap identifies that less than 3 qualifying scores have been returned.
What do I need to do to have an Active handicap?
In order to have an Active handicap a member is required to return 3 qualifying scores in the previous calendar year. These can include scores returned in Club qualifying competitions (both home and away), Supplementary Scores and 9 hole qualifying competitions. Scores returned in non-qualifying events and in social golf are not acceptable.
In order to have an Active handicap a member is required to return 3 qualifying scores in the previous calendar year. These can include scores returned in Club qualifying competitions (both home and away), Supplementary Scores and 9 hole qualifying competitions. Scores returned in non-qualifying events and in social golf are not acceptable.
When does an Active/Inactive handicap start?
The system began on January 1st 2010. Members will be required to return 3 qualifying scores during 2009 in order to have an Active handicap at the start of 2010.
The system began on January 1st 2010. Members will be required to return 3 qualifying scores during 2009 in order to have an Active handicap at the start of 2010.
Does an Inactive handicap mean my handicap has lapsed?
No. An Inactive handicap is still an official CONGU handicap. You will still be entitled to receive a handicap certificate and enter events that do not require an Active handicap as an entry requirement.
No. An Inactive handicap is still an official CONGU handicap. You will still be entitled to receive a handicap certificate and enter events that do not require an Active handicap as an entry requirement.
What restrictions can be imposed on Inactive handicaps?
Clubs may adopt a condition of entry for competitions that prevents those players with Inactive handicaps from taking part. This will apply to both Home Club competitions and Club Open days. Although conditions of entry can be applied a Clubs are not permitted to restrict entry into all competitions for those members with Inactive handicaps.
Clubs may adopt a condition of entry for competitions that prevents those players with Inactive handicaps from taking part. This will apply to both Home Club competitions and Club Open days. Although conditions of entry can be applied a Clubs are not permitted to restrict entry into all competitions for those members with Inactive handicaps.
What happens if I cannot return enough qualifying scores?
A player will only be exempt from receiving an Inactive handicap under the following circumstances:
Injury/Illness over a lengthy period of time that has given the member insufficient time to return 3 qualifying scores
New members who have returned qualifying scores at a previous Club within the previous 12 months
Golfers new to the game and are being issued with their first handicap
Members who do not wish to return qualifying scores or are unable to compete at weekends will not be exempt from receiving an Inactive handicap.
Do NR's count towards my 3 qualifying scores?
As all medal scores are transferred into Stableford points (Clause 19) it lessens the damage imposed on the player’s scores because of one or two bad holes. If the Committee believes that the NR is a genuine score then this may be accepted. If however the Committee are of the opinion that a player has deliberately returned an NR or bad score then they may refuse to accept this score and keep the player's handicap Inactive until they are satisfied that genuine scores have been returned.
Barrie Jones - Chair of Handicaps and Competitions
7 January 2010
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