Initial Handicap Award

[sawtooth]

I just processed the 3rd card for a newbie member and HM allocated initial handicap of 33.

Now this is a club handicap as its above 28 and my understanding is that said player is therefore not eligible for "c" status.

Do I talk to the player and advise that he will have 33 , can play in our club comps but not be entitled to win any prizes?

Is there an option to consult the player and (if the player wants) to play him off the maximum handicap 28 instead so that he qualifies for "c" status? Therefore able to not only enter comps but also to win something?

 

[Colin L]

You are correct that the Club Handicap does not have 'c' status, but it is entirely up to a club which competitions a club handicap holder is eligible to enter - and therefore win. Perhaps your club could be looking at what could be offered?

Since a player with an existing handicap can opt to stay on 28 [36] when his scores actually point to a higher handicap, it makes sense that you can offer your new member the option of 28c.

 

[sawtooth]

You are correct that the Club Handicap does not have 'c' status, but it is entirely up to a club which competitions a club handicap holder is eligible to enter - and therefore win. Perhaps your club could be looking at what could be offered?

Since a player with an existing handicap can opt to stay on 28 [36] when his scores actually point to a higher handicap, it makes sense that you can offer your new member the option of 28c.

Thanks.

I fired an email off to the BBO as well for their guidance on this and will report back with what they say.

Our club rules will allow the player to enter comps but prizes/honours cannot be awarded unless they are 28c or below. I can discuss with the committee but as this is the first time there is no precedent for it.

 

[2blue]

I just processed the 3rd card for a newbie member and HM allocated initial handicap of 33.

Now this is a club handicap as its above 28 and my understanding is that said player is therefore not eligible for "c" status.

Do I talk to the player and advise that he will have 33 , can play in our club comps but not be entitled to win any prizes?

Is there an option to consult the player and (if the player wants) to play him off the maximum handicap 28 instead so that he qualifies for "c" status? Therefore able to not only enter comps but also to win something?

You are correct that the Club Handicap does not have 'c' status, but it is entirely up to a club which competitions a club handicap holder is eligible to enter - and therefore win. Perhaps your club could be looking at what could be offered?

Since a player with an existing handicap can opt to stay on 28 [36] when his scores actually point to a higher handicap, it makes sense that you can offer your new member the option of 28c.

Yes this ^^^^ if he opts for 28c then you could consider him for more at AR as Cat 5 go 'c' in Jan 2018. Rather odd that your Club H/cappers are denied chance in the monies... have you no Divisions??

 

[sawtooth]

Yes this ^^^^ if he opts for 28c then you could consider him for more at AR as Cat 5 go 'c' in Jan 2018. Rather odd that your Club H/cappers are denied chance in the monies... have you no Divisions??

We have divisions but since I have been here at least we have never seen a 28+ handicapper. Now that we have and with the impending changes coming in 2018 we will review things for sure.

 

[rulefan]

I just processed the 3rd card for a newbie member and HM allocated initial handicap of 33.

Now this is a club handicap as its above 28 and my understanding is that said player is therefore not eligible for "c" status.

Do I talk to the player and advise that he will have 33 , can play in our club comps but not be entitled to win any prizes?

Is there an option to consult the player and (if the player wants) to play him off the maximum handicap 28 instead so that he qualifies for "c" status? Therefore able to not only enter comps but also to win something?

I guess you are aware of the advice in the following part of the manual.

When the Initial Handicap algorithm (Clause 16.3) results in the calculation of a handicap above
28[36] a club committee has options which include the following:


 To allot the calculated handicap as a Club Handicap (which would not bear the ‘c’ annotation)
 To allot the maximum CONGU® Handicap eligible for competition ‘c’ status (28.0[36])


The former option is preferred as it provides a more realistic handicap to the inexperienced player
and allows progress in the game to be monitored thus increasing the enjoyment and satisfaction
associated with progressive improvement in the playing of the game. If this option is chosen the club
committee has two further options:

ï‚· To allow and encourage players with Club Handicaps to participate in club competitions together
with those with a CONGU® Handicap.
ï‚· To run separate competitions or separate classes / divisions within club competitions for those
players with a Club Handicap.

Clubs are encouraged to recognise and embrace the responsibility they have to attract, encourage
and enthuse those new to the game as well as satisfying the needs of those already in club
membership.

 

[Colin L]

I have just had sight of a CONGU announcement that the Club Handicap will cease as of 1 Jan 18 and instead there will be handicaps with 'c' status up to 54 for all players.

 

[rulefan]

I have just had sight of a CONGU announcement that the Club Handicap will cease as of 1 Jan 18 and instead there will be handicaps with 'c' status up to 54 for all players.

Yes. That is to bring CONGU into line with the WHS proposals. (in effect the ROW)

 

[sawtooth]

Thanks for the replies its been very helpful.

I got this back from the BBO in case you were interested.

"At the moment the player needs to be able to play to a handicap of 28 before it’s issued and so normally I would be inclined to say no and ask him to submit further cards.
Next year CONGU are increasing the maximum handicap and so he would get an official handicap. Really, I’ll leave this one up to you. Under the circumstances and because the system next year will continue to increase his handicap beyond 28 if necessary there is no harm from our point of view and so it’s how you think your members would feel about playing with him in competitions."

 

[rulefan]

.

"At the moment the player needs to be able to play to a handicap of 28 before it’s issued ..."

I'm afraid that is not strictly correct. As I pointed out in post #6

CONGU Note to Clause 16

When the Initial Handicap algorithm (Clause 16.3) results in the calculation of a handicap above 28[36] a club committee has options which include the following:
 To allot the calculated handicap as a Club Handicap (which would not bear the ‘c’ annotation)
 To allot the maximum CONGU® Handicap eligible for competition ‘c’ status (28.0[36])

Although it does go on to say "The former option is preferred as ......."

 

[jim8flog]

Our club rules are that those with Congu Club handicaps can enter most comps* but cannot win a prize but they also do not have to pay an entry fee. There again we have virtually no players with Congu Club handicaps. Last month is the first month that we started allocating new players with handicaps in the Congu Club Handicap range in readiness for the 1st January.

*We have one comp per fortnight open to all players with or without c status.

 

[Colin L]

Jim

See post#7.

 

[rulefan]

CONGU CHANGES 2018
Changes to the CONGU UHS System have recently been announced. In view of the proposed introduction of the World Handicap System (WHS) these changes have been kept to a minimum and take into account some of the options likely to be adopted in the WHS, principal of which is to encourage players to submit more scores to their handicap record.
The changes, which come into effect on the 1st of January 2018, are:

• Retirement of Club & Disability Handicaps – As a result of their low impact these have been removed and replaced by a new Category 5 for Men and Category 6 for both Men and Women, providing for a maximum handicap of 54.0 for all golfers. Players will be able to maintain a Competition Handicap in all six categories. Upward adjustment for all categories will remain at 0.1 and downward adjustments for Net Differentials below Buffer Zones will be 0.5 for Category 5 and 0.6 for Category 6.
After 1st January 2018 Handicap Committees can increase handicaps above the current limits of 28.0 and 36.0, and they will also increase above those limits automatically as a result of above Buffer Zone returns in Qualifying Competitions and Supplementary Score submissions.

• Supplementary Scores – Relaxation of the rules to allow an unlimited number of score submissions per year and removal of the restriction of one per week. However, the restriction on Category 1 players will remain in place.

• Mixed Tee Competitions – Reinforcement of the single CSS Adjustment Calculation. Having a single CSS adjustment for two or more competitions will provide a more equitable value when one of the competitions has a very low number of players. To overcome the technical IT implementation issues, the approach agreed will be to enter all scores into a single competition (and so a single CSS Adjustment Factor is calculated) with a facility within the software to allow the results to be separated for each group of competitors.

• Definitions – Confirmation that cards submitted for Initial Handicap Allocation are included in the definition of Qualifying Scores for handicap purposes. Accordingly a player whose handicap is allocated on the basis of such submitted scores under Clause 16 will automatically be allocated a Competition Handicap status.

• 9 Hole Competitions – Introduce the option of 9-Hole Medal Competitions and 9-Hole Open Competitions. For handicap purposes, the 9-Hole Medal scores will be converted to Stableford and will appear as stableford on the players handicap record.

• Handicap Adjustments – Confirmation that the adherence to Appendix M (Guidelines for Handicap Reviews) is mandatory, not optional.


There will be no new hard copy of the CONGU® Manual, but an updated online version will be available on the CONGU® website, where a full summary of the changes will also be posted.
This document represents the substantive changes for 2018 – other changes, which are largely for clarification purposes, will be highlighted in the online documentation.

 

[jim8flog]

Jim

See post#7.

And your point is ?

Note handicaps above 28/36 can only be Congu Club handicaps between now and 31st December and therefore will not have c status automatically before then.

 

[rulefan]

I believe some clubs that don't have qualifiers during the winter are doing the AR and 'converting' potential 28/36+ to higher club caps and standardising them after Jan 1 (with their original 'c' or ' ' status I guess).

 

[Colin L]

And your point is ?

.

Last month is the first month that we started allocating new players with handicaps in the Congu Club Handicap range in readiness for the 1st January.


I misread that to mean that you were allocating players a Club Handicap so that they would be ready to start next year with one, but you didn't meant that.

 

[jim8flog]

Last month is the first month that we started allocating new players with handicaps in the Congu Club Handicap range in readiness for the 1st January.


I misread that to mean that you were allocating players a Club Handicap so that they would be ready to start next year with one, but you didn't meant that.

Yes just reread that myself and realise it could be open to misinterpretation.

We have previously either set as 28 or explained to new players about what having a Congu Club handicap means and suggested they might want to wait until they have improved.