Annual Handicap Review

Several members have asked.............

 “How and why do you conduct the Annual Handicap Review?”

• We are required under CONGU regulations to carry out an Annual Review to identify players whose general playing performance and scoring pattern over the year is better or inferior than expected and should have a handicap reduction or increase. (CONGU regulations 23.1 & Appendix M)

What do we look at:- 

• The computer produces sheets entitled “Players to be considered for a reduction/increase in handicap” and a sheet showing players who have “Consistently played within Competition Standard Scratch”. 
• From these sheets we look in detail at the playing record of every person identified.  We also take into account non-qualifying competitions. 
• The record of players in Club Matchplay events, Fourball Competitions and Team Events is also taken into account. We are not allowed to consider results from Social Golf. 

How does the system work:- 

• A typical Category 4 player should expect to play, on an average day, 6 to 7 shots over handicap  i.e. a 21handicap player will usually play to 27 or over.  
• A Category 3 player - 5 to 6 shots worse 
• A Category 2 player - 3 to 4 shots  worse 
• The EGU will not allow clubs to amend handicaps of Category 1 players but they are expected to play on average 2 shots worse than handicap.

Under the CONGU Regulations if you play consistently better than the above then your handicap will be cut. 

A good example is a player with a 15 handicap who consistantly plays within his buffer zone, of 3 shots, but rarely any better.  As he is expected to average 5 to 6 shots above his handicap he will find that his handicap will be cut

Players of declining ability whose handicaps are too low are also indentified. As several of these players are seniors the Seniors Handicap Committee is consulted in conjunction with the Competitions & Handicap Committee

The decision to alter a player's handicap is then made by the  Competitions & Handicap Committee