False (dodgy) handicaps

[rosecott]

Just had a letter circulated to me. This is an edited version which hides the names and the clubs involved. Helps to re-inforce what has been said many times on the forum:

"A team of 4 players entered our Autumn AM-AM Open. When we checked the CDH for confirmation of handicaps we found that two of the players, J W and P J, who had stated were members of ****** Golf Club weren’t listed. Further checks established that these two guys are not members of any golf club and their handicaps had been purchased from Golfshake. Our competitions secretary disqualified the two players immediately as our Open entry forms stipulate competitors should be members of affiliated golf clubs. The other two in the team were very unhappy about this as they would have won first prize if their team-mates had not been disqualified.
This situation highlights the importance of using CDH to check competitors and made me question how many other golf clubs use this facility. I have not heard of any similar instances this year from other Clubs but would suspect this is not the first Open these guys have entered this year. I do think this situation is worth highlighting and perhaps a reiteration made throughout the County of the perils of not carrying out checks.

 

[TheJezster]

What is CDH? I take it these are the blokes up north who seem to be doing this all the time?

 

[rosecott]

Central Database of Handicaps.

 

[TheJezster]

Central Database of Handicaps.

Ahh, thanks

 

[AmandaJR]

Most Opens I've done this year ask for the CDH number on the entry form. That's a start to checking properly but not sure how many then physically check. I know some have as they've got my new handicap which changed from that on the original entry form.

 

[muttleee]

Were they unhappy with your Competitions Secretary or with their playing partners?! Presumably the latter!

 

[DaveM]

What is CDH? I take it these are the blokes up north who seem to be doing this all the time?

Oy less of the up north bit you southern softy.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

Central Database of Handicaps.

Ah! I thought it was 'Checking Dodgy Handicaps' :thup:

 

[patricks148]

when at Royal Dornoch the other week for an open, they wanted to see a handicap cert as well as your CDH number.

 

[pbrown7582]

Were they unhappy with your Competitions Secretary or with their playing partners?! Presumably the latter!

I reckon it will of been the comp sec as they will or well known there mates weren't members of any actual club and using unofficial h/caps.

good to see a club actually checking things through properly for a winning team and also highlighting to others.

 

[FairwayDodger]

when at Royal Dornoch the other week for an open, they wanted to see a handicap cert as well as your CDH number.

Because they don't understand what the CDH is?

 

[pbrown7582]

when at Royal Dornoch the other week for an open, they wanted to see a handicap cert as well as your CDH number.

nothing like being ultra sure!

 

[patricks148]

Because they don't understand what the CDH is?

i thought we had some sort of number from the SGU???

 

[FairwayDodger]

i thought we had some sort of number from the SGU???

We do, handicap certificates should rapidly become a thing of the past.

 

[Francisceo]

nothing like being ultra sure!

lol

 

[Foxholer]

We do, handicap certificates should rapidly become a thing of the past.

But also provide a degree of confidence about identity. There would need to be a considerable amount of collusion involved otherwise.

 

[FairwayDodger]

But also provide a degree of confidence about identity. There would need to be a considerable amount of collusion involved otherwise.

It would take less than five minutes to knock up a fake handicap certificate that was indistinguishable from the one the club gives me.

On the other hand, look up the CDH and check a driver's licence or whatever if you wanted to be strict about identity.

 

[Foxholer]

It would take less than five minutes to knock up a fake handicap certificate that was indistinguishable from the one the club gives me.

On the other hand, look up the CDH and check a driver's licence or whatever if you wanted to be strict about identity.

True enough. I did only say 'a degree of confidence'. It does, however, absolutely demonstrate 'intent' should it be challenged/discovered by further checks, as opposed to the ability of simply claiming that a GolfShake handicap was thought to be sufficient - especially if the entry criteria only stated 'should' rather than 'must'.

Good to see some sand-baggers have been 'caught' and other clubs warned, if that's what the were up to.

 

[williamalex1]

We have SGU swipe type cards which contains all your details , but maybe they should have went a step further and had a ID photo on it.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Fair play to the club for carrying out the checks and taking the stance that Golfshake handicaps aren't official and can't be ratified.