Handicap certificates at courses - GM reviews

[Biggleswade Blue]

I don't have an official handicap certificate. It would be handy, when reading course reviews in GM if they included whether that would prevent me from being allowed to play. Instead, one has to go to the course's website, and find out there (and it is often hidden away anyway).

Am I in a small minority here, or does anyone agree? Is there a reason that this information is not readily accessible?

 

[Ethan]

I don't have an official handicap certificate. It would be handy, when reading course reviews in GM if they included whether that would prevent me from being allowed to play. Instead, one has to go to the course's website, and find out there (and it is often hidden away anyway).

Am I in a small minority here, or does anyone agree? Is there a reason that this information is not readily accessible?

Clubs don't have very consistent policies on this. I can only remember one course in the UK which asked me for one, Wentworth, although many have some words to that effect on their sites. These days, it should be possible to see HDID or some similar online source for verification, although I suspect few clubs are bothered these days. If you have a set of semi-modern clubs and look like you have half a clue, I suspect you will be fine in most places.

 

[Smiffy]

As Ethan quite rightly points out, very few clubs ask for one. I've only ever been asked to produce once in the UK and that was at Woodhall Spa which is the UK HQ for handicaps.

 

[chrisd]

I had to produce one at Wentworth and Sunningdale and I'm playing The Grove in a couple of weeks time and have been told to bring one, although I suspect it's more to protect the organisers from the usual corporate bandits who claim 18 handicap but can easily play to half that and then take home some great prizes !

 

[pbrown7582]

At most of these courses you would be contacting them In advance to book on the will tell you current restrictions as regards handicap at the time.

 

[User20205]

It's been said, many state on the website they are required. In reality very few ask for them. Give them a ring and tell them your not a club member but can knock it round ok.

I've only ever been asked for one twice. Only once in the UK @ st enodoc.

I feel another trip down there coming on after watching the new mark crossfield course log

 

[Duckster]

Never had to produce one yet although I've taken one a few times.

Heard that The Old Course asks for them, apparently no handicap cert, no play there.

 

[Hacker Khan]

I've not got an official one and if I think one is needed I have a fake one just in case. Not 100% sure how ethical that is but to me they are asking to see one to prove you know what you are doing and are not completely hopeless, and I am confident I am OK in those categories.

Only place I have been to that kind of properly asked for one was Woodhall Spa, but there were 3 of us and the person they asked did have an official one and after they saw his they didn't bother asking me. And the thing was on the 1st tee with the starter watching I hit the best drive by a long way, which was funny as the people I was playing with are better than me. Otherwise I can't ever remember having to produce it, at worst some places ask me which club I am a member of so I just say my local club. As others have said, I hopefully look like a golfer so I get no issues.

 

[delc]

At one course we visited (can't remember which one now) we not only had to produce handicap certificates, but also had to hit a few shots on the practice ground under the watchful eye of the pro, to prove that we were competent golfers, before we were allowed out onto the course! Maybe because of people with fake handicap certicates perhaps!

 

[Hacker Khan]

At one course we visited (can't remember which one now) we not only had to produce handicap certificates, but also had to hit a few shots on the practice ground under the watchful eye of the pro, to prove that we were competent golfers, before we were allowed out onto the course! Maybe because of people with fake handicap certicates perhaps!

I'm kind of hoping this course was in the top 20 courses in the country, otherwise they seem to be giving themselves a lot of side. Did you also have to get a letter from your parents in triplicate to allow you to give them money

 

[pbrown7582]

Heard that The Old Course asks for them, apparently no handicap cert, no play there.

This is true but they accept golf club GB ones which are unofficial much the same as golf shake.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Never had to produce a HC certificate but have had to give CDH number before

 

[patricks148]

I would imagine all the clubs in the top 100 would require you to book in advance, why not check with the club then?

 

[delc]

I

I'm kind of hoping this course was in the top 20 courses in the country, otherwise they seem to be giving themselves a lot of side. Did you also have to get a letter from your parents in triplicate to allow you to give them money

No! I can only remember that it was a rather old, traditional and very posh private members club by the sea that had held amateur and ladies championships at some time in the past! May have been somewhere on the East Coast of England. :mmm:

 

[pbrown7582]

Never had to produce a HC certificate but have had to give CDH number before

Same difference isn't it? That's what the CDH system is designed for to stop dodgy fake handicaps and Certs.

 

[User20205]

At one course we visited (can't remember which one now) we not only had to produce handicap certificates, but also had to hit a few shots on the practice ground under the watchful eye of the pro, to prove that we were competent golfers, before we were allowed out onto the course! Maybe because of people with fake handicap certicates perhaps!

Lucky he did ask to watch you putt :-0

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Same difference isn't it? That's what the CDH system is designed for to stop dodgy fake handicaps and Certs.

The CDH number was mainly to ensure HC was correct for the results as opposed to ensuring I was a "competent" golfer

 

[Hacker Khan]

Is there a difference here between clubs checking your handicap is valid so you are not trying to do some banditry, and checking that you can hit the ball?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I believe so

 

[Smiffy]

At one course we visited (can't remember which one now) we not only had to produce handicap certificates, but also had to hit a few shots on the practice ground under the watchful eye of the pro, to prove that we were competent golfers

I would imagine this was Royal Ascot.
Have you seen the state of some of the 12 handicappers who play there?