Combined Handicap

[freddielong]

6-2. Handicap
• b. Stroke Play
In any round of a handicap competition, the competitor must ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee. If no handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned (Rule 6-6b), or if the recorded handicap is higher than that to which he is entitled and this affects the number of strokes received, he is disqualified from the handicap competition; otherwise, the score stands.

sorry bobmac it is rule 6-2.b they have not put their handicap on the card, all they have marked is the shots received. It is one of the basics, one of the first things you do and need to learn, so DQ'd only option and they wont make the same mistake again.

 

[bobmac]

Sorry,
What I meant to say was it is more clear in the decisions book
In any round of a handicap stroke play competition, it is the responsibility of the competitor to ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee (Rule 6-2b).
The word “competitor” includes his partner in a stroke play foursome competition – see Definition of “Competitor”. Therefore, the individual handicaps of A and B should have been recorded on the score card. As only the combined handicap allowance was recorded, A and B were correctly disqualified.

Still very petty in my opinion.

The reason I get angry at this sort of thing is the inconsistency.
At my home club, I mean a club near me, we, I mean they had their Open on Saturday.
The captain handed in his card unsigned by neither marker nor player.
He still smiled when he accepted his 2nd prize.
Then this couple do something very trivial and get DQ'd

 

[viscount17]

6-2. Handicap
• b. Stroke Play
In any round of a handicap competition, the competitor must ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee. If no handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned (Rule 6-6b), or if the recorded handicap is higher than that to which he is entitled <u>and this affects the number of strokes received</u>, he is disqualified from the handicap competition; otherwise, the score stands.

as an aside, I always thought that if you declared a wrong handicap of any sort you were dq'd but apparently not so - only if you gain advantage.

 

[freddielong]

Still very petty in my opinion.

The reason I get angry at this sort of thing is the inconsistency.
At my home club, I mean a club near me, we, I mean they had their Open on Saturday.
The captain handed in his card unsigned by neither marker nor player.
He still smiled when he accepted his 2nd prize.
Then this couple do something very trivial and get DQ'd

I do agree that it is harsh but it is in the rules which seem ok to me when everyone is playing to them, this obviously isn't the case in the situation you pointed out, and it does make the OP seem very unfair.

 

[freddielong]

6-2. Handicap
• b. Stroke Play
In any round of a handicap competition, the competitor must ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee. If no handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned (Rule 6-6b), or if the recorded handicap is higher than that to which he is entitled <u>and this affects the number of strokes received</u>, he is disqualified from the handicap competition; otherwise, the score stands.

as an aside, I always thought that if you declared a wrong handicap of any sort you were dq'd but apparently not so - only if you gain advantage.

Similar to the wrong score rule you are only DQ'd if the error is in your favour

 

[StuartD]

I am with Bobmac on this one. I still think it’s rather petty. Their handicap (strokes allowed whatever you want to call it) was calculated correctly so really not a problem in my opinion

When playing two silloth invitations (my club and one away from home) recently my handicap and my playing partners were not on the card. The assistants asked for the handicaps, worked out the bizarre calculation for this format and stuck the strokes received in the handicap box. No sign of any individual handicaps on our card or our playing partners cards both times. As the assistants done all the cards (I assume they were all the same) should everybody be disqualified and all prizes returned.

As someone who has been playing competitively for 25 (with a small break) I must admit that I did not think having the handicaps was necessary as long as your calculation was correct. I also think the ruling could be clearer in the rule book as definition of Competitor has to be found and also some have said it took 2 or 3 reads to get it clear.I also think that some clubs cards could be clearer with boxes for both handicap and strokes allowed. Ours just has one box marked handicap

I must also add that the “holier than thou”, “you cheated”, “it’s obvious”, “you should know that” attitude by some on here regarding rule queries by new golfers is not very helpful

 

[freddielong]

I am with Bobmac on this one. I still think it’s rather petty. Their handicap (strokes allowed whatever you want to call it) was calculated correctly so really not a problem in my opinion

I guess that the point is, how does the competition secretary know the shots have been calculated correctly if the handicaps are not on the card.

 

[Haydn]

Many thanks for all of your replies. It seems that the general concensious is that we were wrong not to have entered our individual handicaps.
My main point in my letter to the competition secretary that contacted me was that I felt that the decision to disqulify us for this was harsh, we were playing in our first ever pairs event. I also made the point that this did nothing to enhance the reputation of the game our indeeed our club.
I have to work to procedures in my job and if I fail I get penealised but where is the example of how to fill in a card properly for a pairs event posted at the club?? If you don't know the procedures, how do we know how to follow them

 

[freddielong]

I have to work to procedures in my job and if I fail I get penealised but where is the example of how to fill in a card properly for a pairs event posted at the club?? If you don't know the procedures, how do we know how to follow them

If you didn't know the procedures at work would you not look them up or ask, sorry I am not getting at you but you made a mistake move on, you will know for next time.

 

[StuartD]

I am with Bobmac on this one. I still think it’s rather petty. Their handicap (strokes allowed whatever you want to call it) was calculated correctly so really not a problem in my opinion

I guess that the point is, how does the competition secretary know the shots have been calculated correctly if the handicaps are not on the card.

The competition sec will have the handicap list/database at hand. A quick check of hadicaps to see if calculation is correct, yes it is, therefore tournament winners, not a problem.

I am sure the competion secretary would have checked the prizewinners individual handicaps were correct and also the strokes allowed were correct before announcing the winners. This would be routine for every competition. So just to dq them for not writing their individual handicaps on the card is very harsh. Maybe strictly correct by the rule but still very harsh.

Also they had "won" the comp playing of 18 instead of 20, the competition sec might be paying closer attention to their h/caps now anyway

 

[freddielong]

I am with Bobmac on this one. I still think it’s rather petty. Their handicap (strokes allowed whatever you want to call it) was calculated correctly so really not a problem in my opinion

I guess that the point is, how does the competition secretary know the shots have been calculated correctly if the handicaps are not on the card.

The competition sec will have the handicap list/database at hand. A quick check of hadicaps to see if calculation is correct, yes it is, therefore tournament winners, not a problem.

Not if it was an open competion - Look the rules are there for a reason, every club gives out rule books for free, if you cannot be bothered to look at it occasionly and maybe abide by them, then you deserve to be DQ'd every week. Its not as if they are hard to find or in a secret code and I bet if you ask the comp sec he will help if you are not sure, move on and learn from it.

 

[viscount17]

I am with Bobmac on this one. I still think it’s rather petty. Their handicap (strokes allowed whatever you want to call it) was calculated correctly so really not a problem in my opinion

I guess that the point is, how does the competition secretary know the shots have been calculated correctly if the handicaps are not on the card.

The competition sec will have the handicap list/database at hand. A quick check of hadicaps to see if calculation is correct, yes it is, therefore tournament winners, not a problem.

Not if it was an open competion - Look the rules are there for a reason, every club gives out rule books for free, if you cannot be bothered to look at it occasionly and maybe abide by them, then you deserve to be DQ'd every week. Its not as if they are hard to find or in a secret code and I bet if you ask the comp sec he will help if you are not sure, move on and learn from it.

no they don't

 

[freddielong]

I am with Bobmac on this one. I still think it’s rather petty. Their handicap (strokes allowed whatever you want to call it) was calculated correctly so really not a problem in my opinion

I guess that the point is, how does the competition secretary know the shots have been calculated correctly if the handicaps are not on the card.

The competition sec will have the handicap list/database at hand. A quick check of hadicaps to see if calculation is correct, yes it is, therefore tournament winners, not a problem.

Not if it was an open competion - Look the rules are there for a reason, every club gives out rule books for free, if you cannot be bothered to look at it occasionly and maybe abide by them, then you deserve to be DQ'd every week. Its not as if they are hard to find or in a secret code and I bet if you ask the comp sec he will help if you are not sure, move on and learn from it.

no they don't

Every club I have been a member of do they receive them free when ever there is an update have you asked them if they have one

 

[viscount17]

no, and never seen it advertised that they have them, probably only a limited number, first come-first served, but I have one anyway.

 

[StuartD]

Not if it was an open competion - Look the rules are there for a reason, every club gives out rule books for free, if you cannot be bothered to look at it occasionly and maybe abide by them, then you deserve to be DQ'd every week. Its not as if they are hard to find or in a secret code and I bet if you ask the comp sec he will help if you are not sure, move on and learn from it.

In an open competition a handicap certificate should be produced. I know some clubs now overlook this (mine doesn’t). If a handicap cert is not produced how does a comp sec know a visitor has played to the correct H/cap. A comp sec here is more negligent than the op here in my opinion.

While pointing out I was unsure about the ruling and had to look it up I did state that dq was required by the rules in my op. All I have tried to do is argue a case that this rule is a bit OTT (a la parnevik and roe) and I have been labelled as some one who can’t be bothered with or play by the rules and deserves a DQ every week. Ah well better score my name out for Saturday then.

On the rule book front. Clubs can ask for “a number” of rule books from the R&A. We do so at our club and they are given out to new members first. Maybe the original posters club should do this in an effort to avoid this unfortunate situation.