Golf Australia has announced the 2nd package of the changes to the handicapping system. For full details of the changes go to http://admin.golfaustralia.org.au/site/_content/document/00007884-source.pdf.
The main items covered in this package are:
- Complete overhaul of the existing four-ball handicapping regulations.
- Requirement for each affiliated club to have a Handicap Committee.
- Start to allow widespread use of non-competition scores for handicapping purposes.
- Simplification of the method for extending score for a round of 9-17 holes into an 18-hole score. (Note: This method is also to be used by Handicap Committees where a player was meant to have played 18 holes, but stops play FOR ANY REASON after having played at least 9 holes.
- Requirement to process for HANDICAP PURPOSES those eligible scores played at any non-Australian course with a USGA Course Rating.
- Clarification of which scores are eligible for handicap purposes.
Clubs have been advised that they should implement each component of this package as soon as they are reasonably able, and all changes MUST be implemented no later than 1 January 2011. Clubs should advise members when each regulation will come into effect at their club.
- 1. Complete overhaul of the existing four-ball handicapping regulations.
- All four-ball rounds MUST be handicapped.
- All players will return an individual score for handicap purposes – not just those players who play well (scores for both players should be listed on the same card.) Note: This new regulation does not mean committees need to start requiring players to hole out in four-ball competitions. The new regulation allows for players to play four-ball events just as they always have done.
- The new method requires players to record an individual score on each hole. It does not necessarily require a player to hole out on each hole.
- For holes started but not completed, the new regulation requires the use of the Most Likely Score.
- A “most likely score” is the score a player must post for handicap purposes if a hole is started but not completed. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player’s best judgment, the number of strokes they would take to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. This number of strokes must not exceed two over net par for that hole (i.e. 0 stableford points).
- Example: A player is on the green 15 feet from the hole after having played 3 shots. They pick up because they can’t better their partner’s score. Their most likely score is 5.
- The listing of a most likely score on a scorecard should be preceded by an X (for example X-5).
- There is no limit to the number of unfinished holes for which a player must apply the most likely score concept.
- NOTE: Where a player returns a scorecard with an individual score missing, they should ideally be contacted for this information. If this is not realistic, the player should be deemed to have had net par for that hole (i.e. two stableford points). Players should be educated to ensure returned cards feature either actual scores or most likely scores. There is a clear distinction between a hole on a score card with a most likely score, and a hole that has been left completely blank.
- 2. Requirement for each Affiliated Club to have a Handicap Committee
- An essential element of the Australian Men’s & Women’s Handicap System is the Handicap Committee. Each golf club utilising the Australian Men’s & Women’s Handicap System MUST appoint a Handicap Committee to ensure the integrity of each Australian Handicap it issues.
- The model structure for a Handicap Committee as recommended by GA is as follows:
- A single Handicap Committee to cater for both males and females
- The Handicap Committee should not be chaired by the Club Captain. This should avoid Club Captains taking on too great a workload
- The Handicap Committee should have male and female representatives
- The Handicap Committee should have a minimum of three members
3. Start to Allow Widespread Use of Non-Competition Scores for Handicapping Purposes
- When the new handicap system is fully operational (in 2012), it will require the use of ALL eligible non-competition cards. However GA will introduce this change in two phases so as to allow players adequate time to get used to it. This two-phased strategy will also allow time for clubs to make the necessary changes to their score return processes.
- In the initial phase of this second package of changes, it is recommended that clubs allow any eligible non-competition round to count so long as the player has nominated prior to commencing their round that they will be submitting their score for handicapping.
- It is for each club handicapping committee to determine how it will require players to pre-nominate their round for handicapping.
- Non-competition scores MUST be submitted on a club score card as stableford scores even if they have been played as stroke or par.
4. Simplification of Method for Extending Score for Round of 9-17 Holes Into 18-Hole Score
- Note: This method is also to be used by handicap committees where a player was meant to have played 18 holes but stops play FOR ANY REASON after having played at least 9 holes.
- If a player does not play a hole, or plays it other than under the rules of golf, the score recorded for that hole for handicap purposes must be net par (2 stableford points). This hole score when recorded on the card should be preceded by an “X” e.g. X-5.
- Note: This procedure applies to holes NOT ACTUALLY PLAYED. It does NOT apply to holes started but not completed for whatever reason. The most likely score concept applies to holes started but not completed (see Item 1).
5. Requirement to Process for Handicap Purposes those Eligible Scores played at any Non-Australian Course with a USGA Course Rating
- Where an affiliated Australian club member plays in an overseas competition, the score should be processed by their Australian club through Golf Link provided the course has a USGA Course Rating. Non-competition scores returned in accordance with Item 3 above should also be used.
6. Clarification of What Scores are Eligible for Handicap Purposes and What Aren’t
Scores to be used for handicap purposes effective 19 August 2010 are:
- Single stroke, stableford and par competitions.
- Four-ball stroke, stableford and par competitions.
- Team stroke, stableford and par competitions where each player plays ONLY their own ball as it lies (except to account for preferred lies).
- Eligible non-competition rounds as per Item 3.
- Incomplete rounds as per the above bullet points where the player has played 9-17 holes.
- Complete rounds as per the above where the player has been disqualified for a technical rules breach.
The following scores are NOT to be used for handicap purposes:
- Scores are not acceptable for handicap purposes when, as a condition of competition, the maximum number of clubs allowed is less than 14, or types of clubs are limited as, for example, in a competition that allows only iron clubs. Note: This does not apply to situations where the player, by choice, carries fewer than 14 clubs.
- Rounds in which the player has started (or supplied an actual or most likely score for) less than 9 holes.
- When the player has not played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf (except for use of the most likely score concept).
- Where the player has played in an event whoch requires them to play a ball other than their own ball as it lies (e.g. ambrose, foursomes), except to account for preferred lies.