Annual Handicap Review

[3offTheTee]

The handicap Committee at our Club seem over zealous in reducing someone's handicap on an Annual basis and during the last 2 years have reduced over 80 players for no apparent reason.

I am aware of Appendix M and despite playing the relevant number of 'Qualifying Competitions' members seem to be cut on an ad hoc basis. They even ask the scores in our wekend Group of about 12 despite 14 temporary greens!

What is the position at other Clubs' re the Annual Handicap review please?

 

[Herbie]

Im all for it, at least your club will have a membership with a more balanced and accurate h/c. I know some players and have known players over the years who obtain a high h/c then play loads of golf avoiding all things that may get their h/c chopped, then turn up for big comps playing to low teens or single figure standard but holding a 20+ h/c.

Unlikely to happen at a club with the regime at yours.But it does happen elsewhere from time to time be assured of that.

 

[Doh]

Handicap reductions should only take place over a measured course. When you have temp greens this does not consitute a measured course.

 

[EchtLoon]

Im all for it, at least your club will have a membership with a more balanced and accurate h/c. I know some players and have known players over the years who obtain a high h/c then play loads of golf avoiding all things that may get their h/c chopped, then turn up for big comps playing to low teens or single figure standard but holding a 20+ h/c.

Unlikely to happen at a club with the regime at yours.But it does happen elsewhere from time to time be assured of that.

Totally agree. For the first time last winter my club (Walton Hall) reviewed and changed a lot of players, both up and down on their play over the season. It seemed to work as it took until late June before a score in the net 60s was recorded, and the best all season was a 67 (6 under SSS).

 

[EchtLoon]

Handicap reductions should only take place over a measured course. When you have temp greens this does not consitute a measured course.

OP is refering to end of season reviews, not post round reductions.

 

[Doh]

They even ask the scores in our wekend Group of about 12 despite 14 temporary greens!

What is the position at other Clubs' re the Annual Handicap review please?

[/QUOTE]


This is what i was refering to which was also in the OP

 

[USER1999]

At the end of the year, we have a review, but about 5 players get a shot back, and about 10 get cut, out of about 700.
If you put in the required number of cards, then unless you have shot brilliant scores all year, they should leave you alone, or you will go up and down like a yoyo.
H/caps should only ever be reduced off the full course.
Our Swindle, if you score more than 42 points, on the full course it goes in the box, but only for review. If you put in enough of these, you will get cut on general play.

 

[Ken_A]

'Tis great, I lost my job, then the wife lost hers (no so great). This ment that I had a babysitter and the weather was good before christmas (silver lining). I played almoat every day and I really turned around my driving, this in turn helped me to come second in the winter league.
I got a cut because of this. I am well chuffed.

Almost all of our summer comps are qualifing and I played quite a few -my handicap was accurate at end of season, but due to the practice I got over November & December my summer h'cap was no longer accurate in my eyes (I got several cuts in winter league) and I mentioned it to handicap committee, and they told me if I score well over winter league they will look at my h'cap and reduce it if they felt it was required.

I have to agree that the cut was fair, it's a long time between the start and end of the season and people may require a change in handicap.

 

[Herbie]

'Tis great, I lost my job, then the wife lost hers (no so great). This ment that I had a babysitter and the weather was good before christmas (silver lining). I played almoat every day and I really turned around my driving, this in turn helped me to come second in the winter league.
I got a cut because of this. I am well chuffed.

Almost all of our summer comps are qualifing and I played quite a few -my handicap was accurate at end of season, but due to the practice I got over November & December my summer h'cap was no longer accurate in my eyes (I got several cuts in winter league) and I mentioned it to handicap committee, and they told me if I score well over winter league they will look at my h'cap and reduce it if they felt it was required.

I have to agree that the cut was fair, it's a long time between the start and end of the season and people may require a change in handicap.

Its nice hearing a golfer being chuffed at a cut still, you did do well. I got cut three times in three years for winning nothing but I was still secretly happy with it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I know our handicap secretary always conducts and annual review and there are usually ten or so that get a shot or two back as they have not successfully defended their handicap (played within the buffer zones more than 3 times in the period) and usually a handful that get a cut on the review (normally to much moaning).

I'm all for handicaps being monitored as closely as possible but even with annual reviews etc it doesn't stop those who seek to protect their handicap and always seem to pop up for the biggest prizes and suddenly have an "on" day and then mysteriously hack around for the remainder of the year.

 

[SammmeBee]

Right chaps, where do we start?

Under the CONGU regulations, the handicap committee is required to carry out an annual review. It is no an onerous task as it is as simple as finding the 'annual review' button on the software and clicking it! As long as the club has run a suitable amount of qualifying competitions in the year (basially more than 20 but many clubs will offer much more than this), which again under CONGU rules is it obliged then there will be only a few golfers 'flagged' for reductions or increases....

Statistics show that as long as a golfer plays in enough competitions in the year (more than 7) then his handicap will be correct, barring any 'extenuation situations' such as illness, old age, accident etc...

It has to be remembered that your handicap should reflect the 'best' score you can acheive and you should only play to your handicap about 1 in 10...

The annual review will pick out the golfer that shoots a 63 one day and then 10 rounds of 77 but it would 'dismiss' the golfer that shoots 71, 72, 73, 87, 69, 70, 72, 72, 72, 72, 69 as purely by getting cut an getting 0.1 'back' throughout the year has maintained his handicap at the correct level...

From CONGU: 'In exceptional circumstances the Handicap Committee may adjust the handicap of a player in the period between Annual Reviews if there is compelling evidence that his Exact Handicap does not reflect his current playing ability' - this is basically the handicap protector who goes out to win competitions...

Rounds played in swindles, with mates, with comittee members, corporate and society days and any other rounds that are not 'qualifying competitions' over 'measured courses' as they cannot be considered as proper competition, as advice may be given, the course may not be the correct length, there is pressure and we all know what happens when the medal card is thrust into the hand don't we...

The problem is that only a few golfers know the ins and outs of the system and unfortunately these tend to be the people who are NOT the Handicap Secretary...

The system we use is not prefect but is probably the most accurate as long as clubs offer and golfers play as many 'competition' rounds as they can....

 

[viscount17]

I can see how this can handle the player who returns just below the required level but how does it handle those who return just a few, enough to qualify for the bigger comps but no more

 

[SammmeBee]

Then if they did well they would get cut according to their good score/s....they may or may not appear on the annual review...

The problem is golfers not playing in qualifying competitions and saving themselves for 4 Balls and team competitions...

When the 'inactive' handicap is introduced next year then this will, if handicap committee show sense and only allow those with 'active' handicaps to play in competitions, make people play in at least 3 competitions a year and give a good indicator of appropriate handicap....

You will always get a small minority who want to 'hold back' and make themselves a falsely high handicap, which unfortunately will be the case with any system and you have to use one that works for the majority how follow the protocol correctly....

 

[RGuk]

I'm not expecting to EVER get moved under this system, and IF it happened, I'd go mad if I got cut.

Apparently, because I play within a very narrow range (81-86 gross) I could get cut for being "too" consistent for a 12 h'cap. I'd like to see them try!!!!

 

[SammmeBee]

I'm not expecting to EVER get moved under this system, and IF it happened, I'd go mad if I got cut.

Apparently, because I play within a very narrow range (81-86 gross) I could get cut for being "too" consistent for a 12 h'cap. I'd like to see them try!!!!

No you wouldn't if you play in enough qualifying competitions....

 

[USER1999]

Having been off 12 forever, 3 years ago I got cut to 11 in the annual review. It took all year to get back to 12, and just as I got there, the annual review put me up to 13. It then took all year to get back to 12. If they left me alone, I would remain at 12, where I am now, and where it appears I am stuck.

 

[jeffc]

I started playing six months agao and put my cards in at the end of last year, result HC 25.Since then I have had lessons done endless pratising and sorted the right clubs out for my ability and am playin much better.

After playing recently with the handicap secretary he altered my HC to 20. He did tell me if I played to my current abilty in a comp and won they would probably hang him.
Firstly I was pleased as punch and secondly I think it was fair as I think I can play to that easily although in comps we all know it's harder.
The last thing I wanted was to be seen as a bandit in what is a super friendly club and this is the point I wanted to get to, it can depend on the club and members as to how this is sorted out.
Personally I want to win fairly and I want my HC to get as low as possible.

 

[theeaglehunter]

I probably deserved a cut under general play this year but have been left alone. I just haven't had time to enter enough competitions, a cut will definitely be coming my way soon enough and I can't wait as my handicap doesn't do my ability justice!

 

[3offTheTee]

Under the new Rules there is no such thing as being cut for 'General Play'

The committe are not allowed.

 

[SammmeBee]

Under the new Rules there is no such thing as being cut for 'General Play'

The committe are not allowed.

They can apply 'General Play' rules to Juniors and also in 'Exceptional' circumstances but I get the impression CONGU don't really want committee too....