Nomads to get official handicaps

[mikejohnchapman]

I'm not sure how a nomad would get an elite handicap if clubs didn't provide the facilities to enter their competitions but in the unlikely event, I can't see the R&A/EG refusing

As has been covered elsewhere in this forum the ability to submit General Play scores is now open to Elite Golfers.

 

[howbow88]

I'm sorry I can't - I'm not a lawyer.

However, having worked in business for many years I am sensitive to showing discrimination to people based on criteria that seem to be unfair. If EG are going to implement this scheme (which it appears they are) these players will pay to have an official handicap in the same way club members do with their affiliation fees. The handicap would be calculate in exactly the same way and applied in the same way for all players. Thus I can't understand why you would exclude one group from playing in an event run by a commercial organisation based on their membership of a golf club.

There are clearly more qualified people than me in this discussion so I guess I must accept my fears are unfounded and clubs will be able to do as they wish regarding open events.

There are rules in the UK around discrimination, but these are based around racism, sexism, disability, ageism, etc. Saying 'you must hold an official handicap AND be a club member' for an open event might possibly be elitism, but I don't think anyone would have a legal case for discrimination.

Personally though, I don't think golf clubs would turn down Nomads with official handicaps if they wanted to enter an open event, for obvious reasons... £££

 

[rulefan]

As has been covered elsewhere in this forum the ability to submit General Play scores is now open to Elite Golfers.

Yes, I think it was me who pointed it out.

But clubs may still refuse these players access to their courses and more particularly, their ability to preregister.

 

[Old Skier]

Interesting zoom with EG & County about Nomads at 1030 hrs

 

[fundy]

Interesting zoom with EG & County about Nomads at 1030 hrs

able to share any interesting bits?

 

[2blue]

Interesting zoom with EG & County about Nomads at 1030 hrs

So how will they do it?

 

[Old Skier]

Couple of quick notes

Its always been the R&A strategy to accommodate Independent Golfers,
National bodies were given the chance to control it themselves or the R&A would
Ireland, Wales and Scotland had already decided that they would be the controlling body so Unions in England voted on whether EG should take it on, the vote was 61-1 in favor. Correspondence has been sent out to all clubs in December.
EG will set up the handicap platform operating the WHS and will be improving the MyEng golf app to accommodate it.
EG states it will be up to individual clubs as to whether Independent Golfers will be able to enter comps and they may see it as an opportunity to run Independent Golfer specific comps.

EG will get a fee from anyone that wishes to join which will be used to run the necessary admin.

 

[fundy]

Couple of quick notes

Its always been the R&A strategy to accommodate Independent Golfers,
National bodies were given the chance to control it themselves or the R&A would
Ireland, Wales and Scotland had already decided that they would be the controlling body so Unions in England voted on whether EG should take it on, the vote was 61-1 in favor. Correspondence has been sent out to all clubs in December.
EG will set up the handicap platform operating the WHS and will be improving the MyEng golf app to accommodate it.
EG states it will be up to individual clubs as to whether Independent Golfers will be able to enter comps and they may see it as an opportunity to run Independent Golfer specific comps.

EG will get a fee from anyone that wishes to join which will be used to run the necessary admin.

Thanks for this, be interesting to see what the admin charge is. Definitely be a shame if clubs are allowed to treat these as 2nd class handicaps as it seems plenty on here want them to and EG are going to allow.

 

[KenL]

I wonder what this will do to club member numbers and retention.
With the current situation, this could be bad timing for clubs.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Thanks for this, be interesting to see what the admin charge is. Definitely be a shame if clubs are allowed to treat these as 2nd class handicaps as it seems plenty on here want them to and EG are going to allow.

Why should clubs allow them do you think?

Whats in it for a club if they have no members and they are just accommodating a once a year nomadic golfer in an open comp?

For me its not promoting membership at all.

 

[IanM]

R&A strategy is sensible, get the admin right, and no problem.

Why should clubs allow them do you think? Whats in it for a club if they have no members and they are just accommodating a once a year nomadic golfer in an open comp?

Opens are already "balloting" out players based on handicap level. Ok - in scratch Opens its been that way for years. If you run an open that isn't "selling out" you'll be glad of the extra bodies. If it is one that sells out every year, will clubs give priority to "members?" They might.

The "Fun" will happen after this has run for a little while. If lots of "nomads" cry foul if they are getting bounced from Opens, it will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Old Skier]

I wonder what this will do to club member numbers and retention.
With the current situation, this could be bad timing for clubs.

I think EG realise this but were really left with little option.

As to treating Independent Golfers as 2nd class citizen that will be up to clubs to decide as they will have to balance it against where there may be a marketing opportunity and not reducing the benefit for being a member.

 

[Junior]

Why should clubs allow them do you think?

Whats in it for a club if they have no members and they are just accommodating a once a year nomadic golfer in an open comp?

For me its not promoting membership at all.

Could clubs define in their rules for open competitions that those who wish to play must have an active handicap and be a member of a club also ?

I agree lots of clubs will lose members.

 

[Old Skier]

Could clubs define in their rules for open competitions that those who wish to play must have an active handicap and be a member of a club also ?

I agree lots of clubs will lose members.

No such thing as an “active” handicap anymore a d clubs can decide who and what the criteria is for entry.

 

[fundy]

Why should clubs allow them do you think?

Whats in it for a club if they have no members and they are just accommodating a once a year nomadic golfer in an open comp?

For me its not promoting membership at all.

Been posted on this forum several times Glynn, you really want me to post it all again? (I know i am on the other side of the fence to 95% of this forum on this)

Do you really think everyone is going to leave Woodhall Spa because they can get a cheap handicap from EG leaving them with no members?

Its not about promoting membership, why should handicaps be about promoting memberships and the preserve of members only clubs?

 

[Freewaytom]

Been posted on this forum several times Glynn, you really want me to post it all again? (I know i am on the other side of the fence to 95% of this forum on this)

Do you really think everyone is going to leave Woodhall Spa because they can get a cheap handicap from EG leaving them with no members?

Its not about promoting membership, why should handicaps be about promoting memberships and the preserve of members only clubs?

exactly - do people really think that people hold memberships at hundreds of £££ per year just to have an official handicap?

 

[Imurg]

Surely this is only going to benefit those who's sole reason for being a member of a club is to get a handicap so they can play Opens..
That has to be a pretty small percentage bearing in mind they're going to be paying visitor fees when not playing Opens which could end up costing them a whole lot more.
Small clubs that have a cheap membership + green fee model will be the ones to lose out.

 

[Imurg]

exactly - do people really think that people hold memberships at hundreds of £££ per year just to have an official handicap?

At small clubs that have a cheap membership plus green fee model - yes, there will be some.
There may well be some at more expensive clubs too but I suspect that percentage is even smaller.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

Been posted on this forum several times Glynn, you really want me to post it all again? (I know i am on the other side of the fence to 95% of this forum on this)

Do you really think everyone is going to leave Woodhall Spa because they can get a cheap handicap from EG leaving them with no members?

Its not about promoting membership, why should handicaps be about promoting memberships and the preserve of members only clubs?

I am not worried about Woodhall Spa, the top clubs will be OK, its the smaller clubs that I fear for.

I understand the need for a nomadic handicap, I just dont agree with it.

 

[fundy]

I am not worried about Woodhall Spa, the top clubs will be OK, its the smaller clubs that I fear for.

I understand the need for a nomadic handicap, I just dont agree with it.

Fair enough, all allowed an opinion and as i say I know most on here disagree with me (nothing new there I hear you say)