handicap problem

[Shaunmg]

Hello my first post. I'm a new golfer learning the game, late in life. I have not broken 100 as yet and to be honest it’s not looking likely I will in the near future. I have joined a club and taking lessons in the hope of improving.

Problem is I have been informed by many of the existing members that no matter what is on the score cards I submit for my handicap, the club policy is I will not be given a higher handicap than 18. My handicap will only rise higher following a revue of my game from competitions results.

I feel a bit cheated, this was not pointed out before I paid my membership, nor is it printed anywhere in the club rules. The only reference I can see in the club rules about handicap is, Quote “ECG Rules apply: see Standard scratch score and handicapping scheme 1983. See rule 15(3)”

My goal was to lower my handicap when I get one, and not raise it.

Is this common practice with other golf clubs? and are the club complying with their own rule book Quote: ECG rules apply?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Doesn't sound realistic to me!
I've never heard of a club starting people on 18 and watching them go upwards.
Your handicap should be a struggle to achieve week in week out, but not impossible!

 

[freddielong]

This does't sound right to me either perhaps you could ask the R&A (randa.com) see what they think

 

[janmolby]

I've only recently joined a club for the first time & the handicap I received after submitting 3 cards was 24, if it was based solely on the scores I submitted it would be closer to 40 but that's the way they do it. I mentioned it to someone who's a member of another local club & they give a maximum of 18 as a starting handicap.

I'd imagine when you enter a few competitions & only score in the high teens or low twenties points wise then your handicap will rise quickly.

Don't get too worked up over it because like me you still haven't broken 100 yet so focus on that first, enter competitions whenever you can, submit the cards no matter how bad they are & your handicap will sort it self out over time.

 

[dangermouse]

I was given a first handicap of 18 for my first two comps, with the understanding that it would be reviewed after a month, at which point it was raised to 22 (a number I still struggle to achieve).

Most clubs in our area have a similar policy, to stop a bandit cleaning up a load of comps in their first month before being cut on general play.

I wouldn't worry too much - see if you can get a game with the handicap secretary and he may increase your handicap after that.

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Its a common pratice espically for beginners if they give u a handicap of 28 and you improve rapidly they are afraid you would win every comp u entered it done to protect the members from bandits i sure it will be adjusted after a few comps.
Mike

 

[RGDave]

I've never heard of this scheme. I would talk to someone, allow them (if really necessary) to put you off 18 and then give you an honest and fair review.
We have members starting off on anything up to 28, I don't see where the problem is.
It shouldn't be "reasonable" to expect a player to play 100 times to get to 28, if that's where they should be....
I'll add to this, that at most clubs, you have put £2/3/4 in a pot for prizes....expecting you to fork out hundreds of pounds in voucher money to other members is NOT ON.

When I joined my club, they gave me a rather low h'cap based on a score made on forward tees. I was advised to play as often as possible to get it "up" to wherever it should be, except I'm rarely free for Saturday Qualifiers??

What I have done is practice/lessons as hard as possible to reach the standard, and I'm almost there, but I had played before and had a long history of golfing.

This, however, i.m.o. is wholly unreasonable. If you are totally snookered, agree to take 18 and play 3 more times or something and let them take a h'cap of those cards.

 

[DCB]

Freddie,

The R & A have nothing to do with handicaps and handicapping. Thats the responsibility on your local golf union who are the governing body for men’s handicapping in whatever area you play in, they monitor and maintaining the application of the CONGU Unified Handicapping System.

 

[DCB]

Shaunmg,

Do a search for the E G U and see what their site says about handicapping. There should be relevant information there.

Your club shouldn't just allocate an arbitary 18 as this is not what the handicap system is about. If implemented properly and sufficient comps played and recorded, the handicap should level off quite quickly so I don't know why they are telling you that it will be 18.

 

[freddielong]

I didn't realise that I always thought that they must set the frame work that we work within it just sounds abit unfair to give shaun a handicap he cant play to

 

[forefortheday]

Shaun it's done to stop bandits winning in their first comps that's all.

I wouldn't panic your handicap will find it's natural level once you have handed 3 cards in.

Plenty of clubs do it as members moan if Mr New Boy cleans up in his first 3 weeks!

 

[User 105]

My place makes us play off scratch for the first 3 comps, then they set our handicap.

And the first 3 comps your not counted as 'entered', so you can't win, like that would happen anyway off scratch anyway.

But then again they don't charge you an entry fee either.

It's my first outing in a comp on Sunday, so should be fun. Really looking forward to it.

 

[Pedro_Wedgitos]

I wouldn't get upset about it. It is obviously there to protect the competitions until they can see what you really play like.

Once you show them you play off a more it will go up. I would concentrate on your game and not get stressed abut the handicap...

 

[RGDave]

Are "we" suggesting the club WILL review and find a fair figure in just a few cards...? I do hope so...?

The thought of leaving someone to go up 0.1 every game for 100 rounds (potentially) goes against the system for me.

I don't know what's so wrong with just allocating a player with a h'cap based on best card, no worse than a double, regardless if that's over 18.
Think about it, if you give a player a 24 h'cap and he's had few 8s and a few 9s on the card, he's probably played to 30 anyway.
What's the worry? give him 24 and then suddenly no worse than a double on the card and medal scores of nett under par....I don't think so.....

 

[viscount17]

don't just rely on what a few members have said, talk to the handicap secretary and get him to explain the reasoning. ask him how soon you could expect a review. you've info here that will help and Dave's point about being expected to fund the prizes for years is valid.

 

[ev123uk]

A friend of mine and a new member at my club handed three cards in and was given a handicap of 21. His cards were all between 92 and 99 and were played in pretty tough conditions. He then went out in his first medal last sunday and shot Nett 65 to win. He played great and i know there was no letting up on the cards he had entered previously but you can guess the response from members who are not familiar with him!

 

[mono217]

This does't sound right to me either perhaps you could ask the R&A (randa.com) see what they think

Yup I thought it was R&A

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Mono - it has clearly been explained that its CONGU that are the governing body for mens handicaps. The R& A have no governance over this