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Playing Handicap Allowances

I have read all the posts on this thread but I am still a little confused. Are the playing handicap allowances - 95% and so on - mandatory or recommended in England?
 
I think I posted this from EG about six weeks ago. The Guidance (link in post #108) was not yet complete.

"CONGU will be stating that all handicap allowance are mandatory. This is still to be released but will be out shortly!"
 
I have just read our course handicap chart which we got today, after being somewhat confused after all the talk about the new system it seems to me it’s going to be simple.... look at your handicap index then look across to your course handicap.

That’s all I will need to know. ?
 
Rlburnside said:
I have just read our course handicap chart which we got today, after being somewhat confused after all the talk about the new system it seems to me it’s going to be simple.... look at your handicap index then look across to your course handicap.

That’s all I will need to know. ?
Click to expand...

That's right. You can use your WHS handicap without having to do any complicated arithmetic or knowing any of the mathematics. It’s a bit like having a car: you have to know how to drive it; but you don’t need to know about what goes on under the bonnet. If you do want to know how the engine works that’s an optional extra.
Driving your WHS Handicap is little different from driving your CONGU one:
  • FInd out from a chart or app how many strokes you get for the course you are going to play;
  • know at which holes you receive them;
  • enjoy your golf on an equal basis with other players whether in a competition or socially;
  • Return your hole by hole gross scores from stroke play competitions and from preregistered social games (supplementaries under the new name of general play scores).
You won't need an abacus, a slide rule or a robot friend with a brain the size of a planet.
 
Last edited:
Colin L said:
That's right. You can use your WHS handicap without having to do any complicated arithmetic or knowing any of the mathematics. It’s a bit like having a car: you have to know how to drive it; but you don’t need to know about what goes on under the bonnet. If you do want to know how the engine works that’s an optional extra.
Driving your WHS Handicap is little different from driving your CONGU one:
  • FInd out from a chart or app how many strokes you get for the course you are going to play;
  • know at which holes you receive them;
  • enjoy your golf on an equal basis with other players whether in a competition or socially;
  • Return your hole by hole gross scores from stroke play competitions and from preregistered social games (supplementaries under the new name of general play scores).
You won't need an abacus, a slide rule or a robot friend with a brain the size of a planet.
Click to expand...
Do the tables apply the handicap allowances that are legislated for the different forms of play? That might be a big table considering all the forms of play!
 
rulie said:
Do the tables apply the handicap allowances that are legislated for the different forms of play? That might be a big table considering all the forms of play!
Click to expand...
No. (As far as I am aware)
The chart gives your "handicap" for the course/tees.
You then apply the adjustment for the format. (So, you have to do some basic maths - same as now)
 
rosecott said:
And, I ask, why do we have to go searching these things out? Why are they not being sent? And why is England Golf sending out guidance which is not the same as that from CONGU?
Click to expand...

I did not have to search the information out it was a notification from county that the guideline had been released.

I suspect there has been quite a power struggle between England Golf and CONGU as to what either party wants. It was a always forecast as "what is the point of CONGU with the WHS?"
 
rulie said:
Do the tables apply the handicap allowances that are legislated for the different forms of play? That might be a big table considering all the forms of play!
Click to expand...

No they merely convert handicap indexes to Course Handicaps.

However the conversion to stroke allowances (Playing Handicap) has always been either for the brain or via the the little pocket charts which were easily available. At one time we had these charts in our club diaries looks like a good place to put them. One trouble is that years ago they only need to do the conversion up to a handicap of 25 now they may need to go 96 (155/113*54).
 
rulie said:
Do the tables apply the handicap allowances that are legislated for the different forms of play? That might be a big table considering all the forms of play!
Click to expand...

I expected a sharp mind to pick up on that one! But it's as backwoodsman says. The allowance doesn't have to be calculated by a player.for any stroke play format. Play your game, return your gross scores and leave the computer to apply the allowance and sort out the winners. Four ball match play which we play often requires a very simple bit of mental arithmetic at the first tee . I am generally impressed by the speed at which some of my fellow seniors do it compared with my more plodding approach.

I think my reassurance to members that just as now, they will not have to do any complicated sums or understand the maths is true.
 
As someone else pointed out one of the things you will have to be careful of is when you are playing a Stableford comp and to remember where you would get shots based upon your Course handicap that you have lost under your Playing Handicap and not to pick up on those holes before reaching zero points based upon the CH. All handicap adjustments are against your CH and not your PH.
 
jim8flog said:
As someone else pointed out one of the things you will have to be careful of is when you are playing a Stableford comp and to remember where you would get shots based upon your Course handicap that you have lost under your Playing Handicap and not to pick up on those holes before reaching zero points based upon the CH. All handicap adjustments are against your CH and not your PH.
Click to expand...

That's correct but we will be returning only singles stroke play scores for handicapping and won't need to work out or know our Playing Handicaps. We are required to return only our gross score at each hole. Let the Playing Handicap lurk in the dark recesses of the computer computation of competition results. Know your course handicap, know at which holes you get your strokes and in a Stableford pick up accordingly - just as you do at the moment.
 
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