Colin L
Tour Winner
Concerning the terminology used, your handicap is not active or inactive, and it does not lapse while you are member of the same club.
Once your initial handicap is allotted, you hold that handicap subject to adjustments throughout your membership. If you fulfil the conditions of submitting three qualifying scores in a year, it has Competition status (c). If you don't, it loses that status but that's all. It hasn't lapsed nor is it inactive. It can be used for competitions which do not require 'c' status and you can use it at clubs which require visitors to hold one. It is only if you leave your club that you lose it.
Once your initial handicap is allotted, you hold that handicap subject to adjustments throughout your membership. If you fulfil the conditions of submitting three qualifying scores in a year, it has Competition status (c). If you don't, it loses that status but that's all. It hasn't lapsed nor is it inactive. It can be used for competitions which do not require 'c' status and you can use it at clubs which require visitors to hold one. It is only if you leave your club that you lose it.