OpenPlay & iGolf not acceptable in opens

[Deleted member 30522]

Clip is from club website on their open entries page, really good to see a club being as direct and strong on these sham handicaps from Openplay & iGolf as this, hopefully more follow suit

 

[D-S]

That has been the case at quite a few clubs around here since the inception of these schemes.

 

[SKCP]

I am a returning golfer. I stopped playing for 15 years. I used to be a solid 6 handicap, at one point 5. I have iGolf and have put in three cards. I shot 8 over for one round. The course differential was calculated as 5.1. So my first official iGolf handicap is 3.1. It’s a nonsense of course but it will rise over time. But it would be more of a nonsense to prohibit me from entering an open competition.

 

[Deleted member 30522]

I am a returning golfer. I stopped playing for 15 years. I used to be a solid 6 handicap, at one point 5. I have iGolf and have put in three cards. I shot 8 over for one round. The course differential was calculated as 5.1. So my first official iGolf handicap is 3.1. It’s a nonsense of course but it will rise over time. But it would be more of a nonsense to prohibit me from entering an open competition.

why?

 

[Crumplezone]

Sham handicaps? Given the number of reports of people cheating on here, seems anyone can have a 'sham' handicap if they're so inclined.

 

[Imurg]

View attachment 55603Clip is from club website on their open entries page, really good to see a club being as direct and strong on these sham handicaps from Openplay & iGolf as this, hopefully more follow suit

You, and the club(s) in question, are making a massive assumption that every Igolf or OPG player is cheating their handicaps...every last one of them
Yes there will be some just like there are members of clubs who do the same.
We do like a generalisation in golf.......without specific numbers of manipulated handicaps this is just discrimination.

 

[wjemather]

There is no valid reason for clubs to reject entries from official independent golfer schemes, just as there is no reason for them to reject players from other jurisdictions. There are far better ways of managing misconceptions about (potential) handicap cheats being rife - which is all this is really about - such as having different prize tables for home club members, visiting club members, independent golfers, etc. There are probably far more handicap cheats who are members of traditional golf clubs than are members of the independent golfer schemes.

Also, opens are a good way of advertising the club - being overtly unwelcoming isn't the best way to come across to any prospective future members or society organisers.

 

[2blue]

We have had several EGi Golfers join us & transfer their H/caps which appear to be completely appropriate with their standard of play.

 

[Deleted member 30522]

You, and the club(s) in question, are making a massive assumption that every Igolf or OPG player is cheating their handicaps...every last one of them

There's one massive assumption being made for sure, and this seems to be it

 

[ADB]

being a nomad and having shelled out to join IGolf to get a valid H/C I hope this doesn’t become the norm

 

[D-S]

being a nomad and having shelled out to join IGolf to get a valid H/C I hope this doesn’t become the norm

There are other cheaper, better options out there.

 

[ADB]

There are other cheaper, better options out there.

Thanks for that what are they?

 

[D-S]

Joining clubs that charge less for annual membership than iGolf. You then get an official handicap which is accepted everywhere as well as a County Card, which you don’t with iGolf.
They are out there (obviously the cheapest tier of membership and you would have to pay a full green fee if you want to play in club comps). Just require searching for.

 

[SKCP]

If this is the case then any prohibition on iGolfers playing open competitions is even more irrational/unfair

 

[ADB]

Joining clubs that charge less for annual membership than iGolf. You then get an official handicap which is accepted everywhere as well as a County Card, which you don’t with iGolf.
They are out there (obviously the cheapest tier of membership and you would have to pay a full green fee if you want to play in club comps). Just require searching for.

Membership for less than £46 quid a year? Unfortunately not in the South of England, no matter what the tier….thanks for the reply tho

 

[D-S]

Membership for less than £46 quid a year? Unfortunately not in the South of England, no matter what the tier….thanks for the reply tho

I can think of two clubs close’ish to Bristol, one of which is £1 per year plus EG and County affiliation fees and another which is £35 including affiliation fees - both are cheaper than iGolf and both in the South (although location is irrelevant on these sort of schemes).
I would hazard a guess that these are not the only ones in the country though, probably just requires a bit of research, which to be honest I can’t be bothered to do.

 

[Imurg]

There's one massive assumption being made for sure, and this seems to be it

Sorry BB you just sound like a sore loser who's eaten all the sour grapes and is now talking out of your rear end...
I was leaning your way in some of these debates but you're on your own now....

 

[Billysboots]

There are a number of threads running now about handicaps, manipulation thereof and so on.

This one will be allowed to continue for now, but if it goes the same way as the others that latitude will not last for long.

Let’s keep it friendly and on topic please.

 

[WorldHandicapSystem]

Such a shame to see people in positions of office at golf clubs holding such biased veiws and actively seeking to deny people access to opens because of their own narrow minded beliefs.

 

[Junior]

I don’t mind it for first come first serve opens, but, i think they should have 8 scores in to be able to play. There’s little difference between these types of memberships and those who join muni’s for a nominal fee.

I think for county and scratch events only a certain amount of general play cards should be permitted in the top 8. I’ve been balloted out of quite a few this year that I have played in the past. Upon reviewing the scores lots of these players didn’t break 90 or NR’d !