Handicaps

[paininthenuts]

I live in the UK and have just received my 1st handicap of 28. In the UK at present the highest handicap a man can have is 28, and women 36. As from 1st of March club handicaps for men can be 36, although that handicap is reduced to 28 for open competitions. This move is help the older player stay in touch with competition. 

 

I have two questions, what are the handicap rules in your respective countries, and what do you think of the handicap being increased in the UK ?

[Lihu]

1 minute ago, paininthenuts said:

I live in the UK and have just received my 1st handicap of 28. In the UK at present the highest handicap a man can have is 28, and women 36. As from 1st of March club handicaps for men can be 36, although that handicap is reduced to 28 for open competitions. This move is help the older player stay in touch with competition. 

 

I have two questions, what are the handicap rules in your respective countries, and what do you think of the handicap being increased in the UK ?

36 is the maximum under USGA, and I think the handicap system is going to become more universal starting with some changes in 2018?

[paininthenuts]

1 minute ago, Lihu said:

36 is the maximum under USGA, and I think the handicap system is going to become more universal starting with some changes in 2018?

AAAAHHH, so you already have what we are moving to, interesting !!

[Lihu]

Just now, paininthenuts said:

AAAAHHH, so you already have what we are moving to, interesting !!

Not everything. We're also going to become more strict with posting scores towards handicap, while I think you will allow non-competitive rounds to be added?

[DaveP043]

44 minutes ago, Lihu said:

Not everything. We're also going to become more strict with posting scores towards handicap, while I think you will allow non-competitive rounds to be added?

I have no problem with a men's maximum handicap of 36, that's what we have in the US.  From what I've heard, the current CONGU system generally results in a slightly lower handicap than the USGA system, only utilizes "competition" rounds (we're required to post nearly all scores), and generally changes slower than the USGA system.  I've heard rumors of probabe upcoming changes to make all handicap systems worldwide more similar, but haven't heard any details.  @Lihu, do you have a source for the things you've mentioned?

[Lihu]

5 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I have no problem with a men's maximum handicap of 36, that's what we have in the US.  From what I've heard, the current CONGU system generally results in a slightly lower handicap than the USGA system, only utilizes "competition" rounds (we're required to post nearly all scores), and generally changes slower than the USGA system.  I've heard rumors of probabe upcoming changes to make all handicap systems worldwide more similar, but haven't heard any details.  @Lihu, do you have a source for the things you've mentioned?

No, not at all, just the threads where we were discussing handicap changes. . .

[DaveP043]

I understand, that's where I heard those rumors myself.  I'll be interested to see what compromises we'll all have to make when this happens.  The 2016 changes to the USGA handicap rules were very minor, although dis-allowing rounds played as a single from being posted may be a step toward handicap unification.

[Lihu]

8 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I understand, that's where I heard those rumors myself.  I'll be interested to see what compromises we'll all have to make when this happens.  The 2016 changes to the USGA handicap rules were very minor, although dis-allowing rounds played as a single from being posted may be a step toward handicap unification.

From what little I can tell, it will probably only really impact people who play rounds by themselves that are mysteriously higher than when they play tournaments.

Vanity capping players will also be somewhat affected. Probably less so because they would more than likely be playing with other people anyway, because I can't imagine someone who would score themselves lower when they are playing alone with no stakes?

My wild guess is it will be better for the handicap system.

[chspeed]

 

18 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

The 2016 changes to the USGA handicap rules were very minor, although dis-allowing rounds played as a single from being posted may be a step toward handicap unification.

Correct. According to the USGA: "We continue to explore substantive changes as we work toward a World Handicap System in the years ahead.”

You can view the other changes here: http://www.usga.org/articles/2015/11/key-changes-to-handicap-system-for-2016.html

[Lihu]

40 minutes ago, chspeed said:

 

Correct. According to the USGA: "We continue to explore substantive changes as we work toward a World Handicap System in the years ahead.”

You can view the other changes here: http://www.usga.org/articles/2015/11/key-changes-to-handicap-system-for-2016.html

The changes seem pretty reasonable and self evident. I didn't realize that anchored strokes would be against the rules for amateurs, but so be it. . .

[caniac6]

What percentage of golfers are going to play in international handicap events? Why is this necessary? Why not have one rule making organization? I believe the USGA only covers Mexico and the US. Why not just do away with the USGA, and let the R&A be the ruling body for the entire world.

[DaveP043]

Even in countries that look to the R&A for rules, there are a number of different handicap systems.  The rules have been unified, handicap are the next step.  

[dkolo]

On 1/6/2016 at 2:34 PM, DaveP043 said:

I have no problem with a men's maximum handicap of 36, that's what we have in the US.  From what I've heard, the current CONGU system generally results in a slightly lower handicap than the USGA system, only utilizes "competition" rounds (we're required to post nearly all scores), and generally changes slower than the USGA system.  I've heard rumors of probabe upcoming changes to make all handicap systems worldwide more similar, but haven't heard any details.  @Lihu, do you have a source for the things you've mentioned?

Yeah, handicaps higher than 36 would be functionally useless for any kind of competitive purposes that handicaps are used for. Especially since players off that high a handicap probably have a ton of variance

[DutchGolf]

Here in the Netherlands, your handicap can be 54 at most. If you can score Stableford points like a 54 handicapper with the pro, you receive your 'golf license' (if you also passed the theory test). Without a license you cannot play golf on your own. If your handicap falls below 36 you recieve an EGA handicap which is valid across Europe. Handicaps from 36 to 54 are called clubhandicaps and are only vallid at one golf course. 

 

Edit: forgot to mention it, you can also post scores outside of tournaments, but you can only post scores for your handicap when you play with someone else who marks your score, not on your own.

Edited January 8, 2016 by DutchGolf

[DaveP043]

@DutchGolf, is the EGA handicap system in Europe different from the CONGU system that I understand that Great Britain uses?  

[DutchGolf]

4 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

@DutchGolf, is the EGA handicap system in Europe different from the CONGU system that I understand that Great Britain uses?  

Yes, sorry I had to say continental Europe in my post. The system that Great Britain uses differs quite a lot from EGA, I believe in the CONGU system you can only post scores at tournaments and the handicap for males cant be higher than 28. However, not sure, but I believe CONGU also uses the Stableford system, which is also uses by the EGA.

[Ernest Jones]

1 hour ago, DutchGolf said:

Here in the Netherlands, your handicap can be 54 at most. If you can score Stableford points like a 54 handicapper with the pro, you receive your 'golf license' (if you also passed the theory test). Without a license you cannot play golf on your own. If your handicap falls below 36 you recieve an EGA handicap which is valid across Europe. Handicaps from 36 to 54 are called clubhandicaps and are only vallid at one golf course. 

 

Edit: forgot to mention it, you can also post scores outside of tournaments, but you can only post scores for your handicap when you play with someone else who marks your score, not on your own.

You cannot play golf on your own without a licence?

How tightly is that enforced? Is that the case at all courses? That's quite the obstacle to enticing new players to the game!

[Big_in_Belgium]

1 hour ago, Ernest Jones said:

You cannot play golf on your own without a licence?

How tightly is that enforced? Is that the case at all courses? That's quite the obstacle to enticing new players to the game!

I'm from Belgium and we have the same rules as Holland.
Only after passing a test (practical + theoretical) will you be allowed on the course.

In my experience, it's quite strictly enforced (and I play in Belgium and Holland).
Only pitch & putt type courses will let you play without the license.

After passing my test, my handicap was established at 45. 
As @Dutchgolf said, you can lower it by playing tournaments or by having a marker sign your card.