EGU/EWGA Directive regarding Active/Inactive Handicaps.

During the winter of 2007/2008 the EGU toured the country hosting a number of Handicapping Seminars to launch the new CONGU Unified Handicapping System (UHS).  One issue that was discussed was that Clubs, although not in favour of lapsing handicaps, wanted to have more control of their members’ handicaps and players competing in Open competitions. 

The EGU and EWGA are to launch a system that will identify the competitive nature of an individual.  Approved and supported by CONGU, the "Active/Inactive Handicap" will identify (by the use of an indicator) whether an individual has competed in qualifying competitions and as a result returned information on their playing ability.

We have all heard of the so-called ‘Bandit’ who wins competitions with very low scores.  These people generally avoid playing in qualifying competitions in order to keep their handicap artificially high.  The Active/Inactive system will be able to identify whether these people have returned scores without the need to lapse a handicap. 

The system will be launched in January 2010 and will require all members with CONGU handicaps to have returned at least three qualifying scores each year to ensure they have an active handicap.  It follows therefore that three qualifying scores will be required in 2009 to avoid becoming inactive at the start of 2010.  Scores returned in Supplementary Scores will be accepted as part of the player’s qualifying competitions (see Supplementary Scores Conditions).  Those members not meeting the minimum number of scores will be identified with an "i" (inactive) that will appear on their CONGU certificate and handicap lists published by CONGU approved handicapping software.  Qualifying scores of less than 3 will not be carried forward to the next year. The "i" will be removed from the player’s handicap as soon as three qualifying scores have been returned.  

An inactive handicap may still be used for social golf  and in competitions not stipulating an active handicap as entry criteria. 

So what is the benefit of such a system?  Well firstly and perhaps most importantly it will enable event organisers to run competitions, both Club and Opens, without the fear of players taking part who have ‘false’ handicaps. This can be achieved by adopting a condition of the competition that requires an entrant to have an active handicap.  Clubs may adopt this condition providing it does not cover all events and that opportunity is given to players with inactive handicaps being permitted to return the three qualifying scores needed to ensure an active handicap.  The system should also encourage more individuals to submit qualifying scores and this in turn will help to improve the accuracy of members’ handicaps throughout England.

The EGU and EWGA will monitor the situation and review the number of scores required to maintain an active handicap at the end of 2010. The EGU and EWGA hope that this initiative will lead to a review of Clause 25 for the next edition of the CONGU UHS in 2012.

The Competitions Committee will issue further information as to which competitions in 2010 will only be eligible to entry for players with active handicaps.

Supplementary Scores Conditions

The Club must offer facilities to allow players, who have returned 6 or less qualifying cards, in the preceding period between Annual Reviews, to return a SUPPLEMENTARY CARD.

They can submit up to 10 Supplementary Cards per year (not more and 1 per week) played over the measured course.  The player must signify their intention to submit a card before play by signing the book placed in the Pro-shop for men or in the ladies room for ladies.  NB this provision does not apply to a Category 1 player.

If you have any queries concerning the above information please contact the Handicap Secretary of your section.

The Handicap Committee