Getting a handicap without being a member

[Kellfire]

I'm not currently a member of a club and as such don't have an official handicap. I've seen the likes of Strokes Handicap and was wondering if anyone has any experience of these and whether or not they're widely accepted if I wanted to enter local competitions or to play when I'm abroad on holiday at better courses?

Don't want to waste money on something that is basically worthless.

 

[Twire]

The only way of getting an OFFICAL handicap is by becoming a member of a CONGU affiliated club. There are places on the net that will give you an unofficial handicap, but I'm not sure how these are accepted in competitions.

The other problem I can foresee, is that most (all the comps I've entered) ask which club you play at on the entry form. So wether these unoficial habdicaps are accepted could be down to the individual club running the comp..

 

[Kellfire]

That's sort of what I feared. Looks like I'll have to scrape the pennies together!

 

[HughJars]

The only way of getting an OFFICAL handicap is by becoming a member of a CONGU affiliated club. There are places on the net that will give you an unofficial handicap, but I'm not sure how these are accepted in competitions.

The other problem I can foresee, is that most (all the comps I've entered) ask which club you play at on the entry form. So wether these unoficial habdicaps are accepted could be down to the individual club running the comp..

You cannot enter any Open events with one of these 'unoffical handicaps', as the name suggests, they are unofficial. Only a CONGU handicap is of use.

I think the only purpose of these online versions is that it allows you to produce a handicap certificate of sorts if you weant to get onto some of thwe swankier courses for a random knock.

 

[coolhand]

Have a look/ask around your local area for somewhere that does club membership but golf on a pay and play basis. I’d suggest starting with municipal courses or maybe one of the less popular chain Golf Centre’s.

I can’t justify proper club membership because I don’t play enough but am fortunate that here are a couple of these options round me where £50 per annum gets you a CONGU handicap and club competitions. You simple pay green fees each time you play.

 

[viscount17]

With the increase in the number of nomads, managing their official handicaps is an area where I think the County could step in. Of course it would require the co-operation of a number clubs and they may not see it as being in their interests, but it could be workable.

You would have to register that a round is for handicap purposes before play/at the time of booking and get a stamped card - all same as a supplementary. The difference would be that the name and county number is recorded by the course and notified to county.

All cards must be returned to county - no NR

I don't think it has to be complicated.

 

[AuburnWarrior]

With the increase in the number of nomads, managing their official handicaps is an area where I think the County could step in. Of course it would require the co-operation of a number clubs and they may not see it as being in their interests, but it could be workable.

You would have to register that a round is for handicap purposes before play/at the time of booking and get a stamped card - all same as a supplementary. The difference would be that the name and county number is recorded by the course and notified to county.

All cards must be returned to county - no NR

I don't think it has to be complicated.

But don't the county only monitor the lower handicappers (4 and less I believe). The rest are monitored by the club so if you're a nomad golfer playing off >4 then the county won't be interested - right???

 

[viscount17]

I'm guessing that the County monitor lower handicappers primarily for competition reasons.

There are a lot of nomads out there. Hence, potentially, a nice little earner for the County who would get at minimum County fees and probably a 'management fee' - wouldn't have to be big. (If yours is anything like mine, the County is perennially 'poor mouthing'.)

 

[Kellfire]

My local club is EGU, not CONGU... I'm thinking of joining as I want to start playing competitions and more regularly and the money wouldn't be an issue (possibly). Does being EGU matter? Is my handicap still official?

 

[Twire]

My local club is EGU, not CONGU... I'm thinking of joining as I want to start playing competitions and more regularly and the money wouldn't be an issue (possibly). Does being EGU matter? Is my handicap still official?

Your local club is a member of the English Golf Union, which means they will definitely be using the CONGU handicap system.

 

[Kellfire]

Your local club is a member of the English Golf Union, which means they will definitely be using the CONGU handicap system.

Thanks for that, reassuring. I'll be nervous signing up, I love playing golf against people but am a bit shy on meeting loads of new people and especially when they'll be scrutinising my every golfing move.