Can You Have an Official Handcap and not be a member of a Club?

[mikejohnchapman]

I am playing so little at my own club that I am thinking of letting my membership lapse for a year.

I have an official Cat 1 handicap linked to my club but what happens if I leave and no longer have a home club - does it remain valid?

I play in a lot of open events throughout the year - many of them scratch events - will these still update my official handicap when the get posted to the central system?

Could take out a country membership somewhere or a "pay and play" type but seem a waste if I am not going to use it much.

 

[rosecott]

Simple answer - as soon as you are no longer a member of an affiliated club, you no longer have a CONGU handicap.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

To hold a Congu HC you must be a member of a facility that allows them to administer Congu HC’s - which are mainly Congu affiliated golf clubs

 

[Lwatson-jones]

I would suggest finding a club that has a tiered membership, nd join at the lowest cost one.

Play the required number of matches at your home club and then play your opens as you wish.

There is a club local to me that does a bronze membership for approx £80 per year plus county fees. This enables you to hold a handicap, and the only extra cost is a reduced green fee when you play at the club..

I know a few people that do exactly that.

 

[Fish]

Could take out a country membership somewhere or a "pay and play" type but seem a waste if I am not going to use it much.

Every country membership I’ve enquired about you still have to be a member elsewhere, it can’t be your only/main club, it has to be a 2nd Club.

Find a low cost play & pay just for your admin to keep your CONGU.

 

[bobmac]

As I haven't had a handicap for 14 years, I'm probably not best placed to advise you but.........

If you do leave your present club, get a h/cap cert from them just before you leave that you can present at opens and if you're playing mostly scratch stuff anyway, I wouldn't think they'd bother much.

Don't know if it would be valid for 12 months though.

 

[rosecott]

As I haven't had a handicap for 14 years, I'm probably not best placed to advise you but.........

If you do leave your present club, get a h/cap cert from them just before you leave that you can present at opens and if you're playing mostly scratch stuff anyway, I wouldn't think they'd bother much.

Don't know if it would be valid for 12 months though.

It wouldn't be valid for one day. I suspect that the vast majority of Opens would expect disclosure of CDH numbers and sending results to CDH would reveal that the player is no longer a club member and no longer has a valid handicap..

 

[bobmac]

It wouldn't be valid for one day. I suspect that the vast majority of Opens would expect disclosure of CDH numbers and sending results to CDH would reveal that the player is no longer a club member and no longer has a valid handicap..

I suppose that would be the same for scratch opens?

 

[rulefan]

I suppose that would be the same for scratch opens?

Certainly all 'elite' scratch opens (ie those aimed at near county level players) require a current CDH ID.

 

[rulefan]

As rosecott says but you can regain it if you rejoin or join another affiliated club within 6 months.

 

[rulefan]

To hold a Congu HC you must be a member of a facility that allows them to administer Congu HC’s - which are mainly Congu affiliated golf clubs

In fact the affiliation requirement is to one of the National Unions that form CONGU

 

[Colin L]

As rosecott says but you can regain it if you rejoin or join another affiliated club within 6 months.

12 months, I understood?

 

[jim8flog]

12 months, I understood?

Correct (26.1) and after 12months restoration/allocation of a Cat 1 has to be referred to County

 

[jim8flog]

Cheapest way I know of is to find a pay and play or municipal club that will let you go on the handicap list for the appropriate membership fee. Last one I was at had a two year waiting list though just for that basic membership.

 

[bobmac]

Things have certainly changed since I last played club golf.

MJC, please ignore my advice.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Certainly all 'elite' scratch opens (ie those aimed at near county level players) require a current CDH ID.

So does my CDH lapse if I leave a club and don't join another immediately?

 

[Colin L]

Correct (26.1) and after 12months restoration/allocation of a Cat 1 has to be referred to County

Yes, I know. Putting it as a question was just a matter of tact.

 

[rulefan]

So does my CDH lapse if I leave a club and don't join another immediately?

Your number (called your Lifetime ID) will no longer show in the CDH except to EG authorised staff.
Your record is still kept in the system and the number would be reissued to you should you rejoin or join another club

 

[rulefan]

12 months, I understood?

I'm a bit behind the times - so my grandchildren tell me.

 

[Colin L]

Out of the mouths of babes .......