Inactive handicap...

Kellfire

Kellfire

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I'm due to play my first round of our summer matchplay knockout on Sunday but my opponent has an inactive handicap...

I've emailed the handicap secretary to ask what to do but what is the consensus on here?

I know he could go on to get an active handicap by the time the final is played towards the end of the summer but would he be elligible to win after having played at least one round of it as inactive? Or does inactive only matter if it's the final in this format?
 
i would think that he is illligible to participate in any comps with an inactive handicap, although some clubs are more relaxed than others allowed inactive handicappers to win non board comps, i think the rules should apply from round 1 not just the closing stages.
 
He is not qualified to play in the competition, I'm completely amazed that his entry has even been accepted. I take it this is a club competition, not a society one? The only way I can see him being able to enter is if it is a scratch knockout rather than a handicap one.
 
Yes, it's a club competition. I believe his handicap only reached the threshold to become inactive after the draw was made because I remember checking our handicap page when the draw was made and he wasn't inactive then.

Would this make a difference as he was elligible when drawn?
 
it will depend on your clubs CoC but, as others, I would be amazed if he is eligible.

eligibility will apply to the first round as much as a final

can understand entering with it in such a situation, or the basis that he was aiming to resolve it before the first round!

do not see playing off scr as a valid option
 
He works overseas much of the year, which I believe explains his inactivity. Could this be seen as an exceptional circumstance as per...

Note: Handicap Committees have discretionary powers in very exceptional circumstances to allow the retention of an ‘Active Handicap’ where ill health or injury has precluded a player from returning the specified number of scores in accordance with Clause 25.
 
If it were me, I would just get on with it and play the game and accept the outcome. You’ve done your bit and asked for a ruling it’s up to them now
 
Inactive handicaps do not preclude players from entering competitions. In fact the only way it gets "active" again would be by playing in 3 qualifiers (therefore it's not likely to change that much when he does this and will more likely go up than down). It does allow competition organisers to stipulate active handicaps only though which does protect the integrity of the competition. I think most clubs in their home competitions would allow entries but would not allow winning a prize. I know our club does this.

Knockouts are something I've never considered and I'd say strictly you should have an active handicap to play but in the circumstances you describe, if the player is now back and playing regularly (and his handicap will therefore be active very soon) it would be harsh to stop him entering. He is unlikely to have improved if he has been away and not playing, so personally I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
Fyldewhite said:
In fact the only way it gets "active" again would be by playing in 3 qualifiers...
Click to expand...

whilst I agree with the rest of the paragraph I think this is a little miss leading - clause 26.3 requires the actions of 16.2; basically '3 cards', plus consideration of the previous handicap level.

3 x Q's (or supplementals) is the requirement to retain a Competition Handicap, not to regain one.
 
bigslice said:
i understand this to mean, if its an inactive handicap his handicap is invalid. he would have to play of scratch untill his handicap becomes active. imo
Click to expand...

An inactive handicap is not an invalid handicap - it is still a handicap. It is nonsense to say that he must play off scratch. Clubs - some do and some don't - have the authority to exclude inactive handicappers from winning trophies and prizes but must allow them to play qualifiers to regain active status.
 
duncan mackie said:
whilst I agree with the rest of the paragraph I think this is a little miss leading - clause 26.3 requires the actions of 16.2; basically '3 cards', plus consideration of the previous handicap level.

3 x Q's (or supplementals) is the requirement to retain a Competition Handicap, not to regain one.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid you have been misinformed. It is clause 26.4 that lays down the procedure for regaining active status and consideration of the previous handicap level is not part of the procedure. The player has simply to play in 3 qualifiers - or supplementaries or a combination of both - to regain active status and this will include any increases/decreases from the 3 cards.
 
To answer the OP:

Clubs may place restrictions on inactive handicap holders on entry into competitions. If they have not publicised such a restriction on your knockout competition then your opponent is perfectly entitled to participate.
 
The attached is an extract from the English Golfing Union's web page:

"All members (men and women) of an English affiliated Club must have submitted at least 3 scores per calendar year in either qualifying competition, Supplementary Scores or 9 hole qualifying events to have an Active handicap. Those that have not will have an Inactive handicap.



It must be stressed that an Inactive handicap is still an official CONGU handicap and can be used as before. A Club may however impose conditions within some competitions whereby those with Inactive handicaps are prevented from entering the event or from winning prizes.

Clubs wishing to impose such restrictions however should give all those with an Inactive handicap every opportunity to return the stipulated number of qualifying scores required for an Active handicap by competing in qualifying competitions. Restricted them from winning prizes would be permitted."
 
rosecott said:
To answer the OP:

Clubs may place restrictions on inactive handicap holders on entry into competitions. If they have not publicised such a restriction on your knockout competition then your opponent is perfectly entitled to participate.
Click to expand...

The club website states rule 26.4, that the player can play but not win a prize. Given the knockout nature and the direct influence his participation would have on myself and any subsequent opponents in the competition, I was wondering if people think he should be allowed to play.
 
rosecott said:
I'm afraid you have been misinformed. It is clause 26.4 that lays down the procedure for regaining active status and consideration of the previous handicap level is not part of the procedure. The player has simply to play in 3 qualifiers - or supplementaries or a combination of both - to regain active status and this will include any increases/decreases from the 3 cards.
Click to expand...

26.3 A player whose status of handicap has under the provision of Clause 25.
(a) not been marked as a ’Competition Handicap’, or
(b) has been marked as an ’Inactive Handicap’
can regain a Playing Handicap after he has complied with the requirements of Clause 16.2.
26.4 When a handicap is being regained in accordance with Clause 26.3, the Handicap Committee should
proceed as required by Clause 16 and in addition give due consideration to the handicap the player
last held, his age and potential playing ability.
 
duncan mackie said:
whilst I agree with the rest of the paragraph I think this is a little miss leading - clause 26.3 requires the actions of 16.2; basically '3 cards', plus consideration of the previous handicap level.

3 x Q's (or supplementals) is the requirement to retain a Competition Handicap, not to regain one.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I don't think it does. You are quoting from the old 2008-2011 UHS handbook. This does not cover inactive handicaps and the paragraphs you refer to cover lapsed handicaps which are not the same thing. Inactive handicaps were only introduced in about 2009 or 2010 and the rules were an addendum to the handbook.

The current UHS handbook states......

25. England Golf direct that the handicap of any player, in whatever Category who fails to return a
stipulated minimum number of Qualifying Scores in the previous calendar year shall be marked as
an ‘Inactive Handicap’.

ALTERINGTHE STATUSOF AHANDICAP
26.4 A player whose status of handicap has under the provision of Clause 25. been marked as an ’Inactive
handicap’ can regain a Playing Handicap by submitting a minimum of three Qualifying Scores to the
Handicap Committee.
26.5 When a handicap is being regained in accordance with Clause 26.4, the Handicap Committee should
record the scores submitted by the Member in the Players Handicap Record, adjusting the Exact
Handicap and Playing Handicap as appropriate, and alter the Status of Handicap to ‘Active’.


This basically means "play in 3 qualifying comps", not "put 3 cards in". The software handles the recording and adjustments and should change the status automatically.
 
My handicap is also inactive at the moment, until I play in 3 competitions at my club.
Mind you, the chances of me winning anything are slim to none so not overly concerned about missing out on prizes if that is the case:smirk:
 
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