ega-rbgf 2016-0 (vs 8) - golfbelgium.be · ega handicap system 2016 – 2019 version: 2016.0 page:...
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KoninklijkeBelgischeGolfFederatie
FédérationRoyaleBelgedeGolf
EGA
HandicapSystem
AmendedEdition,1January2016
FEDERATIONROYALEBELGEDEGOLFKONINKLIJKEBELGISCHEGOLFFEDERATIEBoulevardLouisSchmidtlaan87/6B-1040Bruxelles-BrusselBelgique–BelgiëTelephone+32(0)26722389Fax +32(0)26754619E-mail: [email protected]: www.golfbelgium.be©FRBG/KBGF2016,Allrightsreserved.No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by anyelectronic,mechanical,recording,photocopyingorothermeanswithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionoftheauthor.Anypersonwhodoesanyunauthorisedactinrelationtothispublicationmaybeliabletocriminalprosecutionandcivilclaimfordamages.
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TableofContents
(i)ForewordRBGF...............................................................................................................................................................................4(ii)ForewordEGA................................................................................................................................................................................5(iii)Principalchanges2016...........................................................................................................................................................6(iv)Howtousethemanual.............................................................................................................................................................7 (v)EGAHandicapPolicy...................................................................................................................................................................8 (vi)Systemoverview..........................................................................................................................................................................9THEEGAHANDICAPSYSTEM
1. Definitions..................................................................................................................................................................11
2. TheGolfCourseandCourseRating.....................................................................................................................16
2.1Courserating....................................................................................................................................................................................162.2Coursemeasurement....................................................................................................................................................................162.3Alterationstocourses...................................................................................................................................................................162.4Tees......................................................................................................................................................................................................162.5Par.........................................................................................................................................................................................................172.6Periodforpreferredlies..............................................................................................................................................................182.7Permittedadjustmentstoameasuredcourse...................................................................................................................183. Handicapping.............................................................................................................................................................20
3.1RightsandobligationsoftheRoyalBelgianGolfFederation.....................................................................................203.2Reserved.............................................................................................................................................................................................203.3Rightsandobligationsofanaffiliatedclub.........................................................................................................................213.4Rightsandobligationsofthehandicapcommittee.........................................................................................................213.5Rightsandobligationsoftheplayer.......................................................................................................................................223.6Qualifyingscores(included:Countingscores)..................................................................................................................233.7Reserved.............................................................................................................................................................................................243.8ExtraDayScores(EDS)................................................................................................................................................................253.9EGAPlayingHandicap;Playinghandicap............................................................................................................................253.10Stableford.........................................................................................................................................................................................273.11AttaininganEGAHandicap......................................................................................................................................................283.12Alterationofhandicaps..............................................................................................................................................................283.13Suspensionandlossofhandicaps.........................................................................................................................................293.14Restorationofhandicaps...........................................................................................................................................................303.15HandicapReview(HR)...............................................................................................................................................................313.16GeneralPlay....................................................................................................................................................................................32
4. Decisions......................................................................................................................................................................34
4.1Handicapconditions.....................................................................................................................................................................344.2Rightsandobligationsoftheplayer.......................................................................................................................................344.3Qualifyingscores............................................................................................................................................................................354.4Reserved.............................................................................................................................................................................................364.5EGAhandicapandEGAplayinghandicap............................................................................................................................374.6Alterationofhandicaps................................................................................................................................................................384.7ConfirmedHandicap,Not-ConfirmedHandicap;HandicapReview.........................................................................38APPENDICES.................................................................................................................................................................................39
A. Handicaprecordsheet...................................................................................................................................................................40B. HandicapReview(HR)procedure............................................................................................................................................41C.PlayingHandicapTable.................................................................................................................................................................46D.Handicapallowanceincompetitions......................................................................................................................................48E. HandicapStrokeindexAllocation.............................................................................................................................................51F.Listofexplanatorynotesandguidancenotes.....................................................................................................................52
INDEX..............................................................................................................................................................................................53
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(i)FOREWORDRBGF
Since1998weareusingtheEGA-HandicapsysteminBelgium.
TheTechnicalCommitteeoftheRBGFmonitorsthechangesEGAproposesandfinalizestheBelgianVersionoftheEGAHcpSystem.
In2016theEGA2016versionoftheHcpSystemwillbeinuseforBelgium.Wehavedecidedtochangeaslittleas
neededtotheactualsystem,wewillnotintroduceCBAagain,continueusing“Counting”(Reductiononly).
Weareawaitingthefirstversionofaworldwidehandicapsystem,knowingthatsomechangeswillbenecessary.
Thisversionwillbeinusefor4years,untilltheendof2019.Ifneededsmalladjustmentswillbemade.
TheTechnicalCommitteeoftheRBGF
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(ii)FOREWORDEGA
This is the fourtheditionof theEGAHandicapSystem,since its inception in2000.TheEGAHandicappingandCourseRatingCommittee isdelighted topresent a revisedSystem,which clearly recognizes thehandicappingtraditionsofEurope,butalsolookstothefuturebyaddressingthehandicappingdemandsofagolfingpopulationthatisbecomingincreasinglydiverse.TherevisedsystemseeksuniformitywherethisisconsideredessentialfortheintegrityofEuropeanhandicapping,butatthesametimeacknowledgesthatthevariedgolfingcultureswith-in the EGAmust be allowed to operate as independently as possible. For this reason, this edition of the EGAHandicap System gives the national associations considerable scope for “configuration” of themain features,ensuringthatthesystemprovidesthemwiththemeanstogrowthegameofgolf,addtotheenjoymentofplay-ing,andtocatertotheneedsofdifferentplayerprofiles.HandicapCommitteemembers and otherswho refer to thismanualwill notice that there are few changes informfromthepreviousversion–thestructureof thebookandthepresentationof theclauseshasservedourpurposewell inthepastandwillcontinuetodoso.Thecoreelementsofthesystemalsoremainsubstantiallyunchanged; USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating; an incremental handicap algorithm; amodified version ofCBA;bufferzones;handicapcategories;proceduresforreviewingplayers’handicapsforthepurposeofensuringaccuracy(alsoimproved).However,therearesignificantlyextendeddiscretionarypowersgiventonationalas-sociationswhichwillallowthemtodeterminehow,andtowhatextent,thesecoreelementsareallowedtointer-actwitheachotherandwithotheraspectsofthesystem.Thisrepresentsasignificantchangeinbasicprinciple,butonethatwebelieveisnecessaryinamodernhandicapsystem.Theextensiveworkleadinguptothe2016-2019editionoftheEGAHandicapSystemisverymuchacollabora-tiveeffort,reflectingacontinued,andverysuccessful,processofevolutionandinnovationthroughconsultationbetweentheEGAandyou,the37nationalassociationsthathaveimplementedandutilisedthesystem.ItiswithfondmemoriesandgratitudethatwelookbackattheCommittee’sinteractionswithplayers,officialsandhandi-cappers–atthemanyletters,e-mailcorrespondenceandintensediscussionswehavehadoverthepastyears.WesincerelyhopethatthiseditionoftheEGAHandicapSystemwillserveyouandthegolfersinyourcountryinthebestpossibleway.OnbehalfoftheEGAHandicappingandCourseRatingCommittee,HansMalmströmChairman
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(iii)PRINCIPALCHANGES2016
Thisisageneraloverviewofprincipalchangesanddoesnotincludewordingalterations.Parts1–3
• EGAHandicapdesignation:term“exact”removed(Definitions).• Newdefinitionshavebeenintroduced:confirmed,counting,countinground,EGAplayinghandicapdifferen-
tial,eligiblescores,not-confirmed,StandardGrossDifferential• Handicapeligibilityrestrictions:discretionfornationalassociationsand/oraffiliatedclubstoimposeeligi-
bilityrestrictionsforcompetitionentrybasedonanEGAHandicap,(Confirmed/Not-Confirmed)(Clauses3.1.18,3.3.3).
• 9-holequalifyingscores:extendedtohandicapcategory2.• EGAPlayingHandicapFormula: addedhandicap category6playinghandicap formula for18and9-hole
rounds(Section3.9).• MaximumEGAHandicap:maximumEGAHandicapchangedto54(Clause3.11.2).• Handicapcategories:addedhandicapcategory6,insubstitutionofClubhandicap(Clause3.12.6).• Handicapincreases:0.1-increaseextendedtohandicapcategory5(Clause3.12.6).• AttainingEGAHcp(Clause3.11).• Handicapreviewandgeneralplay:extendeddiscretiontohandicapcommittees(Sections3.15,3.16).
Appendices
Introducedorrevised:A. Handicaprecordsheet.ModifiedtoinsertStandardGrossDifferential.B. HandicapReview(HR).Newprocedure.
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(iv)HOWTOUSETHISMANUAL
GenderThroughoutthemanual,referencetothemasculinegenderincludesthefeminineunlessstatedotherwise.
TableofContentsThe Table of Contents lists the principal elements of the EGA Handicap System 2016-2019 and provides anoutlineforhowthemanualisstructured.Mostofthetime,itshouldbepossibletoidentifytherelevantsectionsimplybyreferencetotheTableofContents.
KnowthedefinitionsWheneverawordorexpressionisusedthatisdefinedinPart1,thewordorexpressionisprintedinitalics.Agood knowledge of the defined terms is necessary for the correct application and interpretation of the EGAHandicapSystem.UnderstandthewordsTheEGAHandicapSystem2016-2019iswritteninadeliberatefashion.Pleasenotethefollowingdifferencesinworduse:
“may” = option“should” = strongrecommendation“must” = instruction/obligation
SupplementaryinformationInorder toprovideenhancedexplanationandunderstandingand to facilitateacorrectapplicationof theEGAHandicapSystem, certain sections in themanualhavebeen supplementedwith explanatory text (ExplanatoryNotes-EN)andadvisorytext(GuidanceNotes-GN).Suchsupplementaryinformationisseparatedfromtherestofthetexttomarkitsspecialstatus.
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(v)EGAHANDICAPPOLICY
The EGA is the governing authority of the EGA Handicap System. The Executive Committee of the EGA hasdelegatedthetasktodevelop,maintainandmonitorthecorrectapplicationoftheEGAHandicapSystemtotheEGAHandicapping&CourseRatingCommittee.
PurposeThepurposeoftheEGAHandicapSystemisto:
– enableasmanygolfplayersaspossible,menandwomen,toobtainahandicap– achieveequityanduniformityofhandicappingthroughoutEurope– incoporateflexibilityinordertoaccommodatediversegolfingclutures– produce fairhandicaps that reflect thescoringpotentialof theplayersandenableplayersofdiffering
abilitiestotakepartinvariousformsofcompetitionsonafairandequitablebasis– provideflexibilityinreturningscoresfrommultipleformsofplay(asrecognizedbytheEGAHandicap
System),i.e.9or18holes,qualifyingorcountingcompetitionsandqualifyingorcountingrounds,underconditionsthattrulyreflecttheplayer’sscoringability
– provideportabilityofhandicapsfromcoursetocourse,aswellasfromonesetofteestoanotheronthesamecourse
– provide playing handicaps that are adjusted in relation to the relative playing difficulty (Course- andSlopeRating)ofthecoursebeingplayed
– enableplayerstomonitortheirowngolfingdevelopmentovertimeand– aimforabalancebetweenprecisionandflexibilityofimplementation,forplayersandadministrators
ApplicationInordertomaintainsupervisionofgolfhandicaps,thesystemmayonlybeusedformembersofaclubaffiliatedto an EGA Handicap System-licensed national association or individual players registered to a nationalassociation.Thesystemissubjecttoquadrennialreview,andonlythecurrentversionmaybeimplemented.RightsandobligationsThe European Golf Association (EGA) has overall jurisdiction over the administration of the EGA HandicapSysteminEurope.The Royal Belgian Golf Federation (RBGF), known as “Koninklijke Belgische Golf Federatie” and “FédérationRoyale Belge deGolf” has the overall jurisdiction forHandicap Policy in Belgium. TheBoard ofMembers hasdelegated this task to theTechnicalCommitteeof theRBGFwhich isalsoresponsible for theCourseRating inBelgium.PoliciesofRBGFandAffiliatedClubs issuingEGAHandicapswillbe consistentwith the fundamentalprinciplesandregulationsoftheEGAHandicapSystemandtheRulesofGolfasapprovedbyR&ARulesLimited.Inorder to achieveuniformity in the applicationof theEGAHandicapSystem, anational associationmaynotamend the regulationsof the systemother thanasprovidedby the specificoptions in someclauses inPart3.Handicaps issuedby anational associationor an affiliated clubnot in full accordancewith theEGAHandicapSystem,maynotbecalled“EGAhandicaps”andmaynotbeidentifiedassuchonhandicapcardsorelsewhere.TheHandicapping&CourseRatingCommitteehastherighttoobtainanyinformationrelatedtohandicappingfromanationalassociationatanytime.Translation,TrademarkandLegalTheEuropeanGolfAssociation(EGA)hastheoverall jurisdictionovertheadministrationof theEGAHandicapSysteminEurope.
InBelgium theRBGF is exclusively licensed by the EGA to use the EGAHandicap System andwill ensure theintegrityoftheEGAHandicapsinBelgium.Only RBGF has the permission to translate the EGA Handicap System from English into Flemish, French orGerman language. The translation does not need to be literal and the RBGFmay use the terminology that iscommonlyusedinBelgium.However,thesystemshallbecalled“EGAHandicapSystem”andthehandicapsshallbecalled“EGAHandicaps”.Theterm“EGAHandicapSystem”isaregisteredTrademarkoftheEGA.InBelgiumtheRBGFisexclusivelylicensedbytheUSGAtousetheUSGACourseandSlopeRatingSystem.
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(vi)SYSTEMOVERVIEW
This section sets out the basic principles of the EGA Handicap System and provides the overall context ofimplementation.PurposeThemainpurposeofahandicappingsystemistoenablegolfplayersofdifferingabilities,menandwomenalike,tocompeteonafairandequitablebasis,whilstenablingplayerstomonitortheirowngolfingdevelopmentovertime.Allhandicappingsystemsestablishandmaintainameasureofplayingability,expressedasthenumberofstrokesthattheplayerisentitledtousetoadjusthisgrossscore.ScoresAll handicaps relate to, and are derived from, a player’s current and historical scores. The player’s round-by-roundscoresreturnedover timeareusedtoadjust thathandicap.Ahandicapbasedonmanyrecentscores istypicallymorereliableasareflectionofaplayer’splayingabilitythanahandicapbasedonfewerordatedscores.Evenforacorrectlyhandicappedplayer,scoreswillbespreadoverarangedistributedaboutthemean.General-ly,thelowerthehandicap,thesmallerwillbethedifferencebetweenbestandworstscoresandthetighterthedistributionaboutthemeanscore.Typically,ashandicapsincrease,themeangrossscoreincreases,asdoesthespreadofthescoresaroundthemean.Handicap
ThecategorystructureoftheEGAHandicapSystemreflectsdifferentscoringprofiles.Thefrequencywithwhichplayersplaytotheirhandicaporbetterisnotthesameacrossthehandicaprange;thisisonefundamentalwayinwhichthesystemprovidesequityforallplayers.Forexample,itislikelythatahandicapcategory1-playerplaysto, or better, than his handicap in about 35% of rounds, whereas a correctly handicapped category 4-playerwouldachievehandicap,orbetter,performanceinonlyabout10%ofrounds.Animprovingplayerwillplaybet-ter thanhis handicapmore frequently than a correctly handicapped establishedplayer of the samehandicap,untilsuchtimeashisscoringprofilebecomesthesameasotherswithasimilarhandicap.Likewise,anoppositepatternwouldbeobservedwithaplayerwhosegeneralperformanceisdeclining.MeasurementofPerformance
MeasurementofperformanceagainstastandardisfundamentaltoestablishinganEGAHandicap.Scoresaremadeongolfcoursesundervaryingconditions.Golfcoursesmaybesituatedinmanydifferentgeo-graphicalareasandtheirdesignsdiffersubstantially. It followsthatonecoursemaybemoredifficult thanan-otherandthatscoresmustbeadjustedtoreflectthisbeforebeingusedtomeasureplayerperformance.The USGA Course Rating System provides the necessary standard and is themain adjustmentmechanism inplace.Thesystemmeasuresthedifficultyofagolfcourseundernormalconditionsforscratchandbogeyplayers,providingaUSGACourseandSlopeRatingrespectively.Asecondadjustmentmechanismisavailabletoaccountforexceptionalweatherandcourseconditionsthatvarysignificantlyfromnormal;thisistheComputedBufferAdjustment(CBA).CourseandSlopeRating
Inordertocalibratethecharacteristicsofagolfcourse,theEGAHandicapSystemhasadoptedtheUSGACourseRating System.TheCourseRating (CR) is ameasureof theplayingdifficulty for a scratchplayerwhereas theSlopeRating(SR)measurestheplayingdifficultyforthebogeyplayerrelativetothescratchplayer.TheplayinghandicapiscomputedbymeansoftheCRandSR,thusequalisingthedifferenceinplayingdifficultyandmakingscoresfromdifferentcoursescomparable.Thisfeaturemakeshandicapsportableacrossallofthenationalasso-ciationsthathaveadoptedtheEGAHandicapSystemandfromonesetofteestoanotheronthesamecourse.HandicapReviewandGeneralPlay
Handicappingisnotanexactscience,butratherastatisticalapproximationofplayingabilityoveratimeframe.Thesystemisrobust forplayerswithstablehandicapswhoreturnscoresonaregularbasis.However,as thismaybetrueforonlyasectionofthegolfingpopulationinanygivennationalassociation,theHandicapSystemincludes two features designed to safeguard proper handicapping of players: the Handicap Review (typicallyavailable in categories 1 – 5, with some discretions granted to the national association) and General Playadjustment.Theformerallowsthehandicapcommitteetoconductareviewofhandicaps,atleastannually,andmakedecisionsregardingtheapplicationofanyrecommendedhandicapadjustment.Thelatterisafeaturethatmaybeusedat thecommittee’sdiscretion intheperiodbetweenhandicapreviews incaseswhereahandicapreviewhasnotbeenrequestedorisnotpossibleforsomereason.
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FundamentalPrinciples
TheEGAHandicapSystemisbasedonthefollowingfundamentalprinciples:− Everyplayerwillendeavourtomakethebestscorehecanateachholeduringaqualifyinground.− Everyplayerwillreturnasmanyqualifyingscoresperyearaspossible, toprovidereasonableevidenceof
hisplayingability.− Every affiliated club or handicapping authority will provide conditions for players to return qualifying
scores,eitherinqualifyingcompetitions,orasExtraDayScores,andmaintainthehandicaps,strictlyinac-cordancewiththesystem.
Theobjectiveofthesystemistoproducehandicapsthatareportablenotonlyfromclubtoclub,butalsofromnationalassociationtonationalassociation.Thiscanbestbeachievedifallparties–nationalassociation,affiliat-edclubs,andplayers–honourtheirobligationstothebestoftheirknowledgeandability.
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PART1–DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Throughout the EGA Handicap System whenever a word or expression is used which is defined within thedefinitionssection,thewordorexpressionisprintedinitalics.Thedefinitionsarearrangedinalphabeticalorder.FordefinitionsinrelationtotheUSGACourseRatingSystemsee:www.usga.org.AFFILIATEDCLUB
An“AffiliatedClub”isagolfclubaffiliatedtotheRBGF(seeconstitutionoftheRBGF).Note:NobodyotherthananaffiliatedclubortheRBGFmayadministertheEGAHandicapSystem.
BOGEYGOLFER
A“BogeyGolfer”isaplayerwhocanplaytothebogeyratingfromanysetoftees.Forhandicappingpurposes,itisdefinedasaplayerwithanEGAhandicapofapproximately20(male)or24(female).
BOGEYRATING
The“BogeyRating”(BR)istheUSGAdesignationthatindicatestheevaluationoftheplayingdifficultyofacourseforbogeygolfersundernormalcourseandweatherconditions. It isexpressedasstrokestakentoonedecimalplace,andisbasedontheextenttowhichyardageandotherobstaclescanaffectthescoringabilityofabogeygolfer.BUFFERZONE
The“BufferZone”istherangeofStablefordscoreswithinwhichtheplayer’sEGAhandicapremainsunchanged.AStablefordscoreiswithinaplayer’sbufferzonewhenitiswithinthefollowingrangesforhishandicapcategory:
HandicapcategoryBufferZone(Stablefordpoints)
18-holescores 9-holescores
1 33–36 notapplicable
2 32–36 0-18
3 31–36 16-18
4 30–36 15–18
5 30–36 14–18
6 0-36 0-18
Note:Buffer zones for 9-hole scores are different frombuffer zones for 18-hole scores in order tomake themcomparableforhandicappingpurposes.
CONFIRMED(new)
“Confirmed” is the designation of an EGA handicap that has been maintained by submitting at least four (4)eligiblescoresinthepreviousseason,andthathasbeenconfirmedoradjustedduringthehandicapreview.Note: Anot-confirmed handicap can become confirmed at any time by returning three eligible scores betweensuccessiveHRs.
COUNTINGCOMPETITION(new)
A“CountingCompetition” isacompetition inwhichhandicapconditionsprevailandscorescount forreductiononly.Scoresplayedinacountingcompetitionareconsideredasqualifyingscoresforhandicapreview.
COUNTINGROUND(new)
A“CountingRound”isanyroundinacountingcompetition.
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COURSERATING;USGACOURSERATING
The“CourseRating”(CR)isthedesignationthatindicatestheevaluationoftheplayingdifficultyofacourseforscratch golfers under normal course andweather conditions. It is expressed as strokes taken to one decimalplace,andisbasedontheextenttowhichdistanceandotherobstaclescanaffectthescoringabilityofascratchgolfer.
DISTANCEPOINT
A“DistancePoint”isthepointonateefromwhichthelengthoftheholeismeasuredanditmustbeindicatedbyavisibleandpermanentmarker.Note1:Theaccurateplacementofthepermanentmarkerisimperativeintheprocesofmarkinggolfcourses.Note2:Thepermanentmarkershouldbeplacedcentrally,butatleastsix(6)metersfromthebackandatleastfour(4)metersfromthefrontofthetee.Themarkersshouldbearorbepaintedinthecolourdesignatedtothesetoftees.
EGA
“EuropeanGolfAssociation”
EGAHANDICAP(EGAHCP)
An“EGAHandicap”isanindexissuedunderthejurisdictionofanationalassociationandattainedandadjustedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheEGAHandicapSystem.TheEGAhandicapistheEGA’sdesignationoftherelativegolfingabilityofaplayer,onacourseofstandardrelativeplayindifficulty(Slopeof113).Isisexpressedasanumbertakentoonedecimal,forhandicapcategories1-5,andasawholenumberinhandicapcategory6,toamaximumvalueof54.OnlyplayerswithanAmateurStatuscanhaveanEGAhandicap.
EGAHANDICAPSYSTEM
The“EGAHandicapSystem”isthemethodapprovedbytheEGAtoevaluatethescoringpotentialofgolfplayersandtoenableplayersofdifferingabilitiestotakepartinvariousformsofcompetitionsonafairandequitablebasis.
EGAHANDICAPPING&COURSERATINGCOMMITTEE(HRC)
The“EGAHandicapping&CourseRatingCommittee”isthebodyappointedbytheEGAExecutiveCommitteetodevelop,maintainandmonitorthecorrectapplicationoftheEGAHandicapSystemforthenationalassociations
affiliatedtotheEGA
EGAPLAYINGHANDICAP(=PLAYINGHANDICAP)
The“EGAPlayingHandicap” isthenumberofhandicapstrokesaplayerreceivesforaspecificsetofteesatthecoursebeingplayed.Theplayinghandicap iscalculatedfromtheEGAhandicapusingtheEGAplayinghandicapFormulaorasindicatedinthelayinghandicaptable.The playing handicap is expressed as a whole number (0.5 rounds upwards, “plus” 0.5 rounds upwards toscratch,and“plus”1.5to“plus”1).Note1:Aplayerwitha“plus”playinghandicapgiveshandicapstrokestothecourse,commencingatstrokeindex18.Note2:TheplayinghandicapisconsideredtobethehandicapreferredtoinRule6-2oftheRulesofGolf.EGAPLAYINGHANDICAPDIFFERENTIAL(=PLAYINGHANDICAPDIFFERENTIAL)(new)
The“EGAPlayingHandicapDifferential”isusedintheEGAplayinghandicapformulaforahandicapcategory6.For18holes,itiscalculatedastheplayinghcpforanEGAhandicapof36.0atthecoursebeingplayedminus36.For9holes,it
iscalculatedastheplayinghandicapforanEGAHandicapof36.0atthe9holesbeingplayed,minus18.
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EGAPLAYINGHANDICAPFORMULA
An“EGAPlayingHandicapFormula”convertsEGAhandicapsintoplayinghandicaps.
Theplayinghandicapformulaforhandicapcategories1-5is:Note:“Plus”handicapsmustbeexpressedasnegativevalues.Theplayinghandicapformulaforhandicapcategory6is:Ahandicapcategory6EGAplayinghandicapisdeterminedbyaddingtheEGAplayinghandicapdifferentialofthesetofteesbeingplayedtoaplayer’sEGAhandicap,takinggenderintoaccount.
EGAPLAYINGHANDICAPTABLE(=PLAYINGHANDICAPTABLE)
An“EGAPlayingHandicapTable”isatableusedforconvertinganEGAhandicaptoaplayinghandicapbasedonthecourserating,slopeandParforaspecificsetoftees.
ELIGIBLESCORES(new)
“Eligible Scores”are scores used forhandicap review. All individualqualifying scores areeligible scores for HRwiththefollowingexceptions:noreturn,disqualifiedwithoutscore(DQ),unjustifiedquit(UNJQUIT)
EXTRADAYSCORE(EDS)
An“ExtraDayScore”(EDS)isaStablefordscorereturnedunderhandicapconditions,otherthaninaqualifyingcompetition,inaccordancewiththespecificationssetoutinsection3.8.
GENERALPLAY“GeneralPlay”isaproceduretoadjusttheplayer’sEGAhandicapotherthanresultingfromaqualifyingscoreintheperiodbetweenhandicapreviewstotakeaccountofasignificantchangeinplayingperformance.
HANDICAPALLOWANCE
A“HandicapAllowance” isthenumberofhandicapstrokesaplayerreceivesinahandicapcompetition.ItisthepercentageoftheplayinghandicapdeterminedbytheCommittee.Note1:Aplayerwitha“plus”playinghandicapgiveshandicapstrokestothecourse,commencingatstrokeindex18.Note2:Handicapallowancesvaryfordifferentformsofcompetition,seeAppendixC.Note 3: The handicap allowance in a qualifying or counting round of individual play is: 100% of the playinghandicap
Note4:Thehandicapallowance isconsideredtobethe“numberofstrokesreceived”referredtoinRule6-2oftheRulesofGolf.
HANDICAPCATEGORY
EGAhandicapsaregroupedwithinthefollowing“HandicapCategories”:
HandicapCategory EGAHandicap
1 plus–4.4
2 4.5–11.4
3 11.5–18.4
4 18.5–26.4
5 26.5–36.0
6 37-54
PLAYING HCPCAT 1-5 = EGA HCP x (Sl/113) + (CR-PAR)
PLAYING HCPCAT 6= EGA HCP + Playing Hcp Differential
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HANDICAPCOMMITTEE
The “HandicapCommittee” is thebody appointedby anaffiliated club to administer theEGAHandicap Systemwithintheclub.
HANDICAPCONDITIONS
”Handicap Conditions” are the prerequisite conditions under which qualifying scores may be returned forhandicappingpurposes.Handicapconditionsareinplacewhen:− the round is playedover ameasured coursewith ameasured lengthof not less than2750metres over18
holes,or1375metresover9holes;− thecoursebeingplayedhasbeenratedbythenationalassociationorareaauthorityinaccordancewiththe
USGACourseRatingSystem;− the length of the course played does not vary from the length of themeasured course bymore than 100
metresover18holes,or50metresover9holes;− thetee-markersusedtodesignatetheteeingground(seetheRulesofGolf,Definitions)areplacedonthetees
inaccordancewithclause2.7.5;− the round is played in accordance with the Rules of Golf (including the Conditions of Competition) as
approvedbyR&ARulesLimited;− theformofplayiseitherstrokeplay,Bogey/ParorStableford,providedthatBogey/ParandStablefordare
playedwithfullhandicapallowance(=100%oftheplayinghandicap);and− thescoreismarkedbyanapprovedmarker.FordecisionsfromtheEGAHandicappingandCourseRatingCommitteeon“handicapconditions”,seesection4.1.
HANDICAPREVIEW(HR)The “Handicap Review” (HR) is a mandatory procedure that requires the handicap committee to review theperformanceofallplayersunder their jurisdictionagainst theircurrenthandicapandtoconfirmoradjust thehandicapasconsideredappropriate.
HANDICAPSTROKE
A“HandicapStroke”isastrokethataplayerisentitledtodeductfromhisgrossscore.Note:Aplayerwitha“plus”playinghandicapaddsstrokestohisgrossscore.
HANDICAPSTROKEINDEX
A“HandicapStrokeIndex”onthescorecardindicatestheorderofholesatwhichhandicapstrokesaretobegivenorreceived.Ahandicapstrokeindexmustbepublishedforeachcourse(Rule33-4oftheRulesofGolf).Note:Aplayerwitha“plus”playinghandicapgiveshandicapstrokestothecourse,commencingatstrokeindex18.HANDICAPPINGAUTHORITY
The“HandicappingAuthority”foraplayerishishomeclubortheRBGF.HOMECLUB
Aplayer’s “HomeClub” is anaffiliated clubofwhich theplayer is amember, andwhich is responsible for theadministrationofhishandicap.Note:Iftheplayerisamemberofmorethanoneaffiliatedclubhemustnominateoneashishomeclub.
MEASUREDCOURSE
A“MeasuredCourse”isanycoursethathasbeenmeasuredaccordingtotheUSGACourseRatingManual.
NATIONALASSOCIATION
A“NationalAssociation”isanynationalgolforganizationaffiliatedtotheEGAandauthorizedtoactonbehalfoftheEGA for the administration of theEGAHandicap Systemwithin its own country. TheRBGF is thenationalassociationforBelgium.NORETURN(NR)
“NoReturn”(NR)denotesanyroundforwhichnoscorecardisreturned.
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NOT-CONFIRMED(new)
“Not-Confirmed” is thedesignationofahandicapthatwasmaintainedonthree(3)or fewereligiblescores inapreviousseasonandthathasnotbeenconfirmedoradjustedduringanyfollowingHRprocedures.Note:Anot-confirmedhandicapcanbecomeconfirmedatanytimebyreturningthreeeligiblescoresbetween
successiveHRs.
PERIODFORPREFERREDLIES
The“PeriodforPreferredLies” is from1stofNovembertill30thofAprilduringwhichhandicapconditionswillapplynotwithstandingtheapplicationofaLocalRulefor“preferredlies”asaresultofadverseconditions.
PLAYINGHANDICAP(seeEGAPLAYINGHANDICAP)
PLAYINGHANDICAPDIFFERENTIAL(seeEGAPLAYINGHANDICAPDIFFERENTIAL)
PLAYINGHANDICAPTABLE(seeEGAPLAYINGHANDICAPTABLE)
QUALIFYINGCOMPETITION
A“QualifyingCompetition”isanycompetitioninwhichhandicapconditionsprevail.
QUALIFYINGROUND
A“QualifyingRound”isanyroundinaqualifyingcompetitionoraroundplayedwiththeintentiontoreturnanEDS.
QUALIFYINGSCORE
A “Qualifying Score” is any score returned in a qualifying or counting competition, including aNR, or a scoreadjustedunderclauses3.6.2oranyEDS.
SCRATCHGOLFER
A“ScratchGolfer”isaplayerwhocanplaytotheCourseRatingfromanysetoftees.Forhandicappingpurposes,itisdefinedasaplayerwithanEGAHandicapof0.0.
SLOPE
“Slope”(Sl) istheUSGAdesignationthatindicatestherelativeplayingdifficultyofacourseforplayerswhoarenotscratchgolfersrelativetothecourserating(i.e.comparedtothedifficultyofthecourseforscratchgolfers).Slopeiscomputedfromthedifferencebetweenthebogeyratingandthecourserating.AgolfcourseofstandardrelativeplayingdifficultyhasaSlopeof113.
STANDARDGROSSDIFFERENTIAL(SGD)(new)
“StandardGrossDifferential”istheEGAhcptheplayerwouldhaveneededtoplay36ptsStablefordthatround.
StandardGrossDifferential(SGD)calculation:
1.Roundover18holes,calculatetheSGDusingtheformula: SGD=EGAhcp+(ND*113/Slope) ND=NetDifferential=36-Stablefordscore2.Roundover9holes,calculatetheSGDusingtheformula: SGD=EGAhcp+(2*ND*113/Slope) ND=NetDifferential=18-StablefordscoreExample;Aplayer,withEGAhcp14.7,receivesanplayinghandicapof16,hescores31ptsStableford.Thismeansthathemisses5pointstoscore36pointsandifhisEGAhcpwouldhavebeen14.7+(5*113/Slope)=19.1,hewouldhavescored36pts.Thestandardgrossdifferentialinthiscaseis19.ItisaroundednumberbecauseitisanestimatedEGAhcp.
USGA
“UnitedStatesGolfAssociation”
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PART2–GOLFCOURSEANDCOURSERATING
2.1 COURSERATING
2.1.1 All courses inBelgiummustbe ratedby theRBGF, according to theUSGA CourseRatingSystem (USGACourseRatingManual;www.usga.org).
2.1.2 TheUSGACourseRatingSystemisthepropertyoftheUSGA.TheRBGFisexclusivelylicensedbytheUSGAtousethesystem.Noalterationsareallowed.AllinterpretationsaremadebytheUSGA.
2.1.3 ForhandicappingpurposesanaffiliatedclubmustonlyuseCourseRatingsandSlopeissuedbytheRBGF.
EXPLANATORYNOTE:PRINCIPLESOFCOURSERATINGANDSLOPE
TheCourseRating(CR)andSlope(Sl)valuesareusedtorelatethedegreeofdifficultyofthecoursetothescoreandconsequentlythehandicapoftheplayer.TheratingsaredeterminedbyatrainedratingteaminaccordancewiththeratingmanualoftheUSGAundernormalcourseandweatherconditions.
Firstly all holes are measured from the distance point to the centre of the green. These measurements areadjustedfortheinfluenceofroll,wind,elevation,altitude,doglegs,andlay-upstoeffectiveplayinglengths.Shotlengthsaredefinedforscratchplayersandbogeyplayers,menandwomen.
Apart from distance, the playing characteristics of a course are influenced by obstacle factors. These aretopography (e.g. sidehill lies), fairwaywidth, green targetproperties, recoverability and rough,protectionbybunkers,outofboundsandextremerough,waterhazards,trees(sizeanddensity)andgreensurface.
Allfactorsareevaluatedperholeformenandwomenandforboththescratch-andthebogeyplayer.ThesystemprovidestableswithvaluesandcorrectionfactorsbasedonextensivedatagatheredbytheUSGA.
The Course Rating is established from the effective playing lengths and obstacle factors over 18 holes. Thenumber is expressed in strokes to one decimal point and represents the score thatmay be expected from ascratchgolfer.
The bogey rating is established in the sameway. It represents the score expected from the bogey player on thatparticularcourse.Asonecoursemaydifferfromanotherinthedegreeofdifficultypresentedtothebogeyplayer,theplayershouldreceivemorestrokesonthemoredifficultcourse.Therelationshipbetweencourseandbogeyratingiscalledtheslope.Itisameasureoftherelativeplayingdifficultyforthenon-scratchgolfercomparedtotheCourseRating.Agolfcoursethatisregardedashavingthesamerelativedifficultyforscratch-andbogeyplayershasaslopeof113.
2.2 COURSEMEASUREMENT
EachholemustbemeasuredalongahorizontalplanefromthedistancepointoneachteetothecentreofthegreenaccordingtotheinstructionsintheUSGACourseRatingManual.
2.3 ALTERATIONSTOCOURSES
When permanent alterations have been carried out to a course increasing or decreasing its length orplayingdifficulty,theaffiliatedclubmustrequestanewcourseratingandslopefromtheRBGF.
2.4 TEES
2.4.1 All courses should have at least one set of tees rated for each gender. Where it is appropriate, itrecommendedthatteesshouldberatedforbothmenandwomen.
2.4.2 There may be additional tees providing reduced playing length to accommodate different groups ofplayersor teesproviding increased lengthandchallenge forhighlyskilledplayers.Thetablebelowsetsouttherecommendedsequenceofteecolourdesignation.
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TeesLength
MinMaxNo. Men’sCR* Men’sSl* Women’sCR* Women’sSl*
Black 6100 6600 61-66 74,9 136 - -
White 5680 6200 57-62 73,9 130 DepLength DepLength
Yellow 5260 5800 53-58 72,1 128 77,5 143
Blue 4840 5400 48-54 69,7 125 75,4 138
Red 4420 5000 44-50 67,3 120 71,8 131
Orange 4000 4600 40-46 64,5 104 69,2 112
Green 3580 4200 36-42 62,4 101 67,3 108
Pink 3160 3800 32-38 61,1 99 65,2 104
Brown 2750 3400 28-34 59,3 95 63,8 100
*ExamplevaluescourseratingandslopeasinappendixF
Note: Itisnotrecommendedthatanyteesareratedforwomenifthetotallengthisgreaterthan5800metres.
2.4.3 AllteesmustbeofsufficientsizetoprovideateeinggroundwhichsatisfiestheRulesofGolf.Eachsetofteesmusthaveadistancepointwhichshouldbeplacedcentrally,butatleastsixmetresfromtheback.Thedistancepointhastobevisibleatalltimes.
2.5 PAR
2.5.1 Parreflectsthescorethatascratchgolferwouldnormallybeexpectedtomakeforagivenhole.2.5.2 TheParfigureforeachholemustbeprintedalongsideeachholeonthescorecard.2.5.3 Par foreachholemustbe fixedby theaffiliatedclub inrelation to themeasured lengthandtheplaying
difficultyofeachholeandmustbewithinthefollowingdistancerangesgiveninmeters,fromthestandardtees:
Par WOMEN MEN
3 ––200 ––235
4 185–385 220–450
5 350–+ 415–+
Example:Thelengthofaholewithadoglegis430metres.Dependinguponits“effectiveplayinglength”anditsaverageplayingdifficultytheholemaybeallottedPar4or5(formen).
Note:Only inexceptionalcircumstances(followingauthorisationfromtheRBGF),mayPardeviate fromthetableabove.
2.5.4 The Par figures for the coursemust not be taken as the difficulty for a scratch golfer. The difficulty isdefinedbytheCourseRating.
EXPLANATORYNOTE:RELEVANCEOFPAR
Parisnotaverygoodmeasureoftheplayingdifficultyofagolfcourse.TwocourseshavingthesameParmayvarysubstantially in lengthanddesignof theholes.Forexample,coursesAandBwereconstructed insimilarterrainandwiththesamerelativeplayingdifficulty.CourseA:FourPar3holesof125metresandfourteenPar4holesof270metres.Thetotallengthis4280metres,Par68.CourseB:FourPar3holesof200metresandfourteenPar4holesof360metres.Thetotallengthis5840metres,Par68.ItisobviousthatthescratchgolferwouldfindcourseBmuchmoredifficulttoplay.BothhaveaParof68buttheCRnumberscouldbeintheorderof63and71.AsscoringisrecordedagainstPar,theplayinghandicapwouldbeadjustedby(CR-Par),forcourseAby(–5)andforcourseBby(+3).
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2.6 PERIODFORPREFERREDLIES
2.6.1 Theperiodforpreferredliesisfrom1stofNovembertill30thofAprilduringwhichhandicapconditionswillapplynotwithstandingtheapplicationofaLocalRulefor“preferredlies”asaresultofadverseconditions.Outside theperiod forpreferred lies, handicap conditionswillnot applywhena local rule for “PreferredLies”isinoperationunlesstheconsentfromtheRBGFhasbeenobtained.
2.6.2 AdoptingpreferredliesrequiresadetailedLocalRulethatallowstheplayerreliefassetoutintheRulesofGolfasfollows:
“A ball lying on a “closely-mown area” through the green may be lifted without penalty and cleaned.Beforeliftingtheball,theplayermustmarkitsposition.Havingliftedtheball,hemustplaceitonaspotwithin15cmofandnotnearertheholethanwhereitoriginallylay,thatisnotinahazardandnotonaputtinggreen.
Aplayermayplacehisballonlyonce,anditisinplaywhenithasbeenplaced(Rule20-4).Iftheballfailstocometorestonthespotonwhichitisplaced,Rule20-3dapplies.Iftheballwhenplacedcomestorestonthespotonwhichitisplacedandsubsequentlymoves,thereisnopenaltyandtheballmustbeplayedasitlies,unlesstheprovisionsofanyotherRuleapply.
Iftheplayerfailstomarkthepositionoftheballbeforeliftingitormovestheballinanyothermanner,suchasrollingitwithaclub,heincursapenaltyofonestroke.
*PENALTYFORBREACHOFLOCALRULE:
MatchPlay-Lossofhole;StrokePlay-Twostrokes.*IfaplayerincursthegeneralpenaltyforabreachofthisLocalRule,noadditionalpenaltyunderthe
LocalRuleisapplied.”
Note:HandicapConditionswillonlyapplywhenthespecifiedareaintheLocalRuleisrestrictedto
“within15cm”. Inexceptional circumstances thespecifiedareamaybeup tooneClubLength if
approvedbytheRBGF.2.6.3 ALocalRuleallowingpreferred liesonasectionofholesmaybeadoptedbytheCommitteewhenmore
localisedconditionssodetermine.GUIDANCENOTE:PREFERREDLIES
The purpose of preferred lies (sometimes referred to as “Winter Rules”) is to allow qualifying scores to bereturned when playing conditions would otherwise not allow proper play due to adverse conditions of thecoursesuchasextremewetnessandmud.
Itisawidelyheldmisconceptionthatpreferredliesaretoprotectthecourse.Rathertheoppositeistrueastheplayermaymovetheballtothebestturffromwhichhesubsequentlytakesadivot.Rememberthatpreferredliesconflictwiththefundamentalprincipleofplayingtheballasitlies.Indiscriminateuseofpreferredliesshouldbeavoided.
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2.7 PERMITTEDADJUSTMENTTOAMEASUREDCOURSE
2.7.1 Eachaffiliatedclubmustendeavourtomaintainthelengthofitsmeasuredcourseatalltimesinordertoprovideampleopportunityforplayerstoplayunderhandicapconditions.
2.7.2 Handicap conditionswill onlyprevail if ameasured course has ameasured lengthofnot less than2750metresover18holes,or1375metresover9holes.
2.7.3 Handicap conditions do not prevailwhen the length of the course played varies from the length of themeasuredcoursebymorethan100metresover18holes,or50metresover9holes.
2.7.4 Inordertomaintainthecourseratingcharacteristicsofthecourse,andsubjecttotheprovisionsofclause2.7.3, the tee-markers used to designate the teeing ground (see the Rules of Golf, Definitions) must,normally,notbeplacedmorethan10metresinfrontor10metresbehindtherelevantdistancepoint.
Note:Onlyinexceptionalcircumstancesmaythis10metrerangebeexceeded.Thisisonlytobeacceptedifmaintenancereasons(orextremeweatherconditions)forcetheclubtomovetheteemarkersoutsidethis range. Nevertheless, the maximum 100metre deviation in clause 2.7.3 cannot be exceeded. If so,handicapconditionsdonotprevail.
2.7.5 Placementoftheteemarkersshouldbebalancedsothatthelengthofthecourseplayedisapproximatelyequaltothemeasuredlengthfromdaytoday.Thisisdonebyusingbothfront-andbacksectionsoftheteesaccordingtocourseconditions.
2.7.6 The use of one temporary green per nine holes of a course is allowed, provided that the length of thecourseplayeddoesnotvarymorethanallowed(see2.7.3).
2.7.7 TheclubmustnotifytheRBGFwhenpermanentchangesaremadetothecourse.PermanentchangestothecourserequiretheRBGFtoreviewthecurrentcourseratingandslopeandtodeterminewhetherare-ratingisnecessary.
GUIDANCENOTE:COURSESET-UPANDMAINTENANCE
Agolfcourseisratedonitseffectiveplayinglengthanditsplayingdifficultyundernormalconditionsthatshouldprevail on average in mid season when most rounds are played. If length and/or playing difficulty changes,scoreswillbeaffectedandhandicapsdistorted.
The objective of the course committee and greenkeeping staff should be to maintain rating conditions asconstantaspossiblethroughouttheseason.Thefollowingpointsareworthconsideration:Varythedifficultyofholelocations,i.e.sixeasysixaveragesixdifficult.Varythesetupoftheteeinggroundswhilemaintainingthemeasuredlength.Maintain theparametersof the rating,most importantly length, roughheight,widthof the landingzones, andgreenspeed.Consider applying for a temporary rating, rather than declaring the course non-qualifying if major repair orreconstruction work is planned. This situation might occur when a hole has to be shortened considerably,temporaryteesareinuse,bunkersarereconstructedandtakenoutofplayorthelengthofthecoursehastobereducedbymorethan100metres.Contactthenationalassociationforadvice.The USGA Course Rating SystemManual, section 15, provides good detailed advice onmaintenance of ratingparametersandthepotentialimpactoncourseratingandslopevalues.
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PART3–HANDICAPPING
3.1 RIGHTSANDOBLIGATIONSOFTHEROYALBELGIANGOLFFEDERATION
TheRBGF:
3.1.1 Has the jurisdiction for the administration of the EGA Handicap System within Belgium, subject to theoveralljurisdictionoftheEGA.
3.1.2 MaynotchangeordeviatefromtheregulationsandspecificationsoftheEGAHandicapSystemunlessitisstatedthatacertainaspectoftheEGAHandicapSystemisatthediscretionofthenationalassociation;themainreasonbeingtoachieveuniformityofapplicationacrossnationalassociations.
3.1.3 HasappointedtheTechnicalCommitteetoadministertheEGAHandicapSystemwithinBelgium. 3.1.4 Reserved.3.1.5 Has ensured that all courses approved by the RBGF for handicapping purposes have course rating and
slopedeterminedaccordingtotheUSGACourseRatingSystem.3.1.6 HasalicensefromtheEGAinordertousetheEGAHandicapSystem.3.1.7 EnsurestheintegrityoftheEGAhandicapsissuedunderitsjurisdiction.3.1.8 Assumestheresponsibilityashandicappingauthorityatitsdiscretion. Note:Ifanationalassociationassumestheresponsibilityashandicappingauthority,itshouldalsoperform
theobligationssetoutinsections3.3and3.4,ifapplicable.3.1.9 Hastherighttoobtainanyinformationrelatedtohandicappingfromaffiliatedclubsatanytime.3.1.10HasappointedtheTechnicalCommitteetosettleanydisputeordoubtfulpointreferredtoit.Itsdecisionis
final. If the RBGF cannot come to a decision, it must refer the dispute or doubtful point to the EGAHandicapping&CourseRatingCommittee,whosedecisionisfinal.
Note:Whenexercisingitspowers,theRBGFmustrecogniseandapplythecorrectlegalprocedures.3.1.11Reserved3.1.12Hasdeterminedlimitationsof9-holesandEDSsasperclausee3.6.1c.andsection3.83.1.13HasdeterminedtheproceduretoregisterEDS:section3.83.1.14Hasdeterminedtheperiodofpreferredlies.Clause:2.6.13.1.15Requires aGolf Ability Certificate – “Golfvaardigheidsbewijs”, “Brevet d’Aptitude auGolf” or “Platzreife
Bestätigung”toattainanEGAHandicap.3.1.16Hasdeterminedaprocedure toadjudicateuponthesuspensionofEGAHandicapsaccording tosections
3.13and3.14.3.1.17Hasdeterminedtheappealproceduretobemadeavailabletoaplayerwhoisdissatisfiedwithadecision
undersections3.13and3.14.3.1.18Mayat itsdiscretiondirect that aconfirmedhandicap is aprerequisite for entry into a competition for
whichanEGAhandicapisrequired,seeclause3.15.5.3.1.19 AuditstheEGAhandicapofallplayerswithanEGAhandicapof+1.0andbetterinordertocontrolafair
entryintonationalandinternationalchampionshipswhichrequireamaximumEGAhandicap.
GUIDANCENOTE:PURPOSEOFAUDITOFLOWHANDICAPPLAYERS
Thepurposeoftheauditoflowhandicapplayersistoprovideassurancethattheirhandicaprecordshavebeenmaintained inaccordancewiththeEGAHandicapSystemand, inparticular, thatallawayscoreshavebeenen-teredcorrectly.Tofacilitatetheaudit,handicappingauthoritiesarerequiredbythenationalassociationtopro-vide,aspartofthehandicapreviewprocedure,thehandicaprecordsforalllowhandicapplayers(theeliteendoftheverylowhandicapspectrum)identifiedbythenationalassociation,inaccordancewithClause3.1.19andanyadditionalplayersassodirectedbythenationalassociation.
Theauditmustbebasedonthecomparisonoftheserecordswiththeofficialscoresfromawiderangeofnation-alandinternationalcompetitions.
Experiencehasshownthatplayerswith incompletehandicaprecords tend tohave lowerhandicaps than theyareentitledto.Whilstthisdoesnotinfluencescratchstrokeplaycompetitions,itdoeshaveanimportantbearingonentryintoprestigioustournaments.Throughauditing,thenationalassociationcanbetterensurealevelplay-ingfieldandavoidplacingthoseplayerswhohonourtheirobligationsatadisadvantage.
3.2 RESERVED
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3.3 RIGHTSANDOBLIGATIONSOFTHEAFFILIATEDCLUB
Anaffiliatedclub:
3.3.1 Is the handicapping authority for all members for whom it is the home club subject to the overalljurisdictionoftheRBGF.
Exception:TheRBGFmay, at itsdiscretion, assume the responsibility ashandicappingauthority for themembersofaffiliatedclubsunderitsjurisdiction.
3.3.2 Must ensure that theEGAHandicap System is correctly applied at the club. Failure to complywith thisrequirementwould justify theRBGFwithdrawing the club’s right to act as ahandicapping authorityorimposingsuchconditionsastheRBGFmayconsiderappropriate.
3.3.3 MayatitsdiscretiondirectthataconfirmedhandicapisaprerequisiteforentryintoacompetitionunderitsjurisdictionforwhichanEGAhandicapisrequired.Seeclause3.15.5.
3.3.4 Must appoint ahandicap committee to perform the obligations set out in section3.4 and to ensure theintegrity of the EGA handicaps issued by the club. This committee may be combined with anothercommitteewithsimilarregulatoryfunctionsifitisdeemedappropriate.
3.3.5 Is responsible for ensuring thatEGA handicaps aremaintained in accordancewith the procedures laiddownintheEGAHandicapSystemandinaccordancewithanyspecificprocedureimposedbythenationalassociation.
Note:Anycomplaint regarding theapplicationof thesystem,whichcannotberesolvedby theaffiliatedclub,mustbemadetotheRBGF,whichmayat itsdiscretioncarryoutsuchinvestigationas itconsidersappropriate. If, following such an investigation, it is found that the affiliated club is in breach of itsresponsibilities,theaffiliatedclubshallbedirectedbytheRBGFtorectifymatters.FailuretoresolvethemattersatisfactorilymayjustifytheRBGFdeclaringthathandicapsatthataffiliatedclubarenotvalidEGAhandicaps.
3.3.6 MustretainthehandicaprecordinthecentraldatabaseoftheRBGFofallmembersforatleastthecurrentandpreviouscalenderyear.
3.3.7 Must use RBGF approved software to enter qualifying scores and to register handicap records in theCentralDatabase.
3.4 RIGHTSANDOBLIGATIONSOFTHEHANDICAPCOMMITTEE
Thehandicapcommittee:
3.4.1 Mustmaintain lists inwhich the names of playersmust be entered prior to anyqualifyingor countingroundandthehandicapcommitteemusthaveprocedurestoensurethatallscorecardsarereturnedtothehandicapcommitteeincludingincompletecards.
3.4.2 Reserved3.4.3 Must ensure that the EGA handicap of each member is recorded as required by the RBGF and made
availableatalltimes.3.4.4 Must ensure that allqualifying scores are recordedas soonaspossibleand that allEGAhandicaps have
beencorrectlycalculatedinrelationtoscoresrecordedinchronologicalorder.3.4.5 Must,whenamemberchangeshishomeclub,informthenewhomeclubofhiscurrentEGAhandicapand
providethehandicapcommitteeof thatclubwithacopyof theplayer’shandicaprecord for thecurrentandpreviousyear.
3.4.6 Mustexercisethepowertosuspendhandicapsasdescribedinsections3.13and3.14.andthepowertoadjusthandicapsdescribedinsection3.16andmustadviseplayersaccordingly.
Note:When exercising its powers, the handicap committee must recognise and apply the correct legalprocedures.
3.4.7 Hastheright,onthedayofaqualifyingcompetitionandbeforethecommencementofplay,todeclarearound of that competition as a counting round or a non-qualifying round because of exceptionally badweatherand/orcourseconditions,seealsoclause3.6.2i.Incaseofcountingcompetitionaroundcanbedeclarednon-qualifying.
Note:Thehandicapcommitteeshouldneverdepriveacompetitionof itsstatusasqualifyingorcountingcompetition only to circumvent the regulations of the EGA Handicap System and prevent scores fromcountingforhandicapping.SuchactioniscontrarytothespiritoftheEGAHandicapSystem.Thehandicapcommitteeshouldgiveplayerstheopportunitytoreturnasmanyqualifyingscoresaspossible.
3.4.8 MustconductahandicapreviewoftheEGAhandicapsofallmembersatleastonceayear,aswellasforanyplayeruponrequest,asprescribedinsection3.15.
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GUIDANCENOTE:
THEPURPOSEANDCOMPOSITIONOFTHEHANDICAPCOMMITTEE
Administrative staff and club managers in an increasing number of clubs are charged with the day-to-dayadministrationofhandicaps.Toassistthemintheirtask,the2016-2019editionoftheEGAHandicapSystemissupported by computer assisted procedures andmost functions can be run in an automated fashion. Yet itremainsimportantforthehandicapcommitteetoberesponsiblefortheproperapplicationoftheclausesandinparticular to be in charge of the handicap review. The final decision regarding which handicaps are to beadjustedunderthehandicapreviewandthevalueoftheadjustmentrestswiththehandicapcommittee.
Thehandicapcommitteehastheultimateauthoritytodecidewhetherhandicappingconditionsaresatisfiedbutmaydelegatethetasktothecommitteeinchargeofthecompetition.
Knowledge of the systemand its intent is a prerequisite requirement forhandicap committeemembers andcontinuity of the capabilities within the committee should be safeguarded. The committee responsible forhandicapping (possibly among other responsibilities) must consist of at least three members preferablyrepresentingbothgenders.
3.5 RIGHTSANDOBLIGATIONSOFTHEPLAYER
Theplayer:
3.5.1 Must have only oneEGA handicapwhichmust be allotted and recorded by hishandicapping authority.ThathandicapapplieseverywherewheretheEGAHandicapSystemapplies.
3.5.2 Must, if he is amemberofmore thanoneaffiliated club, select oneaffiliated club as hishome club andnotifythatclubandtheothersofhischoice.
3.5.3 Is free to change hishome club at all times. Hemust notify his formerhome club and the RBGFof hisdecision.
3.5.4 Mustensurethatbeforeplayingaqualifyingorcountingroundhisentryisregisteredasrequired.3.5.5Must ensure that all qualifying scores, whether or not complete, are returned to his handicapping
authority. Ifplayedatanaffiliatedclubotherthanhishomeclub,theplayerisobligedtoreportallthesescorestohishomeclub.
3.5.6Mustpriortoplayinginanycompetitionatanyaffiliatedclub,ensurethatappropriatealterationsofhisEGAhandicaphavebeenmade.
3.5.7 Must apply the increaseor reduction tohisEGAhandicapwhere requiredafter a qualifyingor countinground fora scorenotyet recordedonhishandicap record.Theadjustment shouldbemadeagainst theCBA,ifknown,andassumingitisapplied.
3.5.8 Mustenterhiscurrentplayinghandicaponallscorecardsreturnedafteraqualifyingorcountinground(Rules of Golf, Rule 6-2b). For handicapping purposes, the player should also enter his current EGAhandicaponthecards,eventhoughtheroundmaybeascratchcompetition.
3.5.9 Must return at least four (4) eligible scores each calendar year to provide his handicapping authoritysufficient information about his playing ability to confirm or adjust his EGA handicap at the handicapreview.
Note:Ifaplayerfailstoreportatleastfour(4)eligiblescores,hisEGAHandicapisstatisticallynotreliableandmaynotbeacceptableforentryintosome,certaincompetitionswhichrequireanEGAHandicap,seeclauses3.1.17,3.3.3,3.12.4-3.12.7and3.15.2.
3.5.10MustendeavourtocomplywiththeintentandpurposeofthefundamentalprinciplesoftheEGAHandicapSystematalltimes.
FordecisionsfromtheEGAHandicappingandCourseRatingCommitteeon“Rightsandobligationsoftheplayer”,seesection4.2.
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3.6 QUALIFYINGSCORES
3.6.1Tobeacceptableforhandicappurposes,qualifyingscoreshavetomeetthefollowingrequirements:
a. Theroundmustbeplayedunderhandicapconditions.b. The round must be played on a course at an affiliated club or a course approved by the national
associationratedinaccordancewiththeUSGACourseRatingSystem.Alternatively,theroundmustbeplayedinacountryoutsidethejurisdictionofthenationalassociationonacourseratedinaccordancewiththeUSGACourseRatingSystemoraccordingtotheCONGUStandardScratchScoreSystem.
c. Theroundmustconsistof18holesandforplayersinhandicapcategories2-6roundsconsistingof9holesarealsoacceptable.A9-holescoremaynotbepartofan18-holescore.Aplayercanonlyreturnone9-holequalifyingscoreperdayforhandicappingpurposes.
d. Theroundmustbeeitherplayedinaqualifyingorcountingcompetitionrunby:i)anaffiliatedclub,ii)theRBGF,iii)otherorganisationsapprovedbytheRBGF,ortheroundisplayedasanEDS(seesection3.8).
e.ScoresmadeoutsidethejurisdictionoftheRBGFinaqualifyingcompetitionrunbyanaffiliatedclubofanother national association, or an organisation approved by another national association,must bereturned.
e. ThescoresmustbeconvertedtoStablefordpoints.3.6.2 Notwithstandingtherequirementsofclause3.6.1,ascoreisaqualifyingscoreevenif:
a. the roundhas been cancelled by the committee inwhich case the roundbecomes “ReductionOnly”(Counting).
b. reserved.c. theplayerisdisqualified.SeeGN:ScoreusedincaseofDisqualification.d. theroundisplayedwithaLocalRuleforpreferredliesinoperation,seesection2.6.e. the round is a single round in an aggregate or eclectic competition provided that players who are
partnersdonotplayinthesamegroup.f. reservedg.theplayerfailstoreturnhisscorecard.SeeGN:Encodingresultsinqualifyingorcountingcompetition.h. theround isplayed inaqualifyingor countingcompetition inwhichdifferentgroupsstart theround
fromdifferenttees(e.g.shotgun).i. the competition is declared non-qualifying round in accordance with clause 3.4.7, but the player
decidestoplayanEDSinaccordancewithsection3.83.6.3 Notwithstanding the requirements of clause 3.6.1 and section 3.8 (Extra Day Score) a score is not a
qualifyingscore,if:a. theround,otherthananEDS,isplayedinacompetitionthatisrunbyathirdpartynotapprovedby
theRBGF.b. reservedc. reservedd.theroundisplayedinanycompetitioninwhichtheplayerplayswithoneormorepartners(exception
aggregate,see3.6.2e).e. reservedf. theroundwasplayedaspartofaPro-Am-Competition.
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GUIDANCENOTE:SCOREUSEDINCASEOFDISQUALIFICATION
A. Disqualifiedwithvalidscore.
If theplayerhasbeendisqualified foroneof thehereundermentionned rules, an adjusted scoremustbecalculated in spite of his disqualification for technical offences. The handicap committee must carefullyinvestigatealldetails.
Note:Allpenaltystrokesmustbetakenintoaccountaswellasthecorrecthandicapandhole-by-holescores.
a. Rule3-2:Failuretoholeoutb. Rule3-4:Playerrefusestoapplyaruleinstrokeplay(incl.StablefordandagainstPar)whichaffects
therightsofanotherplayer.c. Rule 6-2b: The handicapmarked on the score card is higher than that towhich he is entitled. The
correcthandicapshouldbeusedtocalculatetheadjustedscore.d. Rule6-3:Playerfailstotee-offatthetimedesignatedbythetournamentcommittee,butnevertheless
returnsascorecard.e. Rule6-6b:Scorecardisnotsignedbytheplayerorthemarkerunlessthemarkerhasnotsignedthe
scorecardforavalidreason.f. Rule6-6d:Recordedscoreislowerthanactualscoreforanyhole.g. Rule6-7:Competitorundulydelaysplay,repeatedoffence.h. Rule6-8:Competitordiscontinuesplay.i.Rule14-3b:Useofdistancemeasuringdevice.j.Rule33-7:Disqualifiedbythecommitteeforseriousbreachofetiquette
B. Disqualified(withoutscore)
Iftheplayerhasbeendisqualifeidforoneofthehereundermentionnedrules,itcannotbedeterminedhowmuchofanadvantagetheplayermayhavegainedbybreachingaruleandhishcpwillbeincreasedby0.1.a. Rule1-2:Seriousbreachwhentakingdeliberateactiontoinfluencethemovementoftheballortoalter
thephysicalconditions. b. Rule1-3:Competitorsagreetoexcludetheoperationofaruleortowaiveapenaltyincurred.c. Rule4-1,4-2,4-3and4-4:Useofaclub(s)whichis/arenon-conformingorotherwiseusedinbreachof
therules.d. Rule5-1and5-2:Useofaballthatisnon-conformingorotherwiseusedinbreachoftherules.e. Rule6-4:Useofmorethanonecaddie(leadingtodisqualification).f. Rule7-1b:Practiceonthetournamentcourseonthedayof,andpriortothetournament.g. Rule11-1or14-3:Useofanon-conformingtee,useofanartificialdeviceorunusualequipment(excepta
distancemeasuringdevice).h. Rule22-1Agreeingnottoliftaballthatmightassistanycompetitor.
GUIDANCENOTE:ENCODINGRESULTSINQUALIFYINGORCOUNTINGCOMPETITION
Asweareworkingwithdiffferent“ClubManagementSystems”andtheyallconnecttoacentralisedsystem,allqualifyingscoresaresendtothissystem.Wehavedeveloppedasetofstatus-optionsaplayercanreceivewhenplayingaqualifyingorcountinground:a. theplayernotifiesnottobeabletoplaybeforehisstartingtime:“Forfait”thisdoesn’tcountasQS.b. theplayerdoesn’tshowup:“NoShow”thisdoesn’tcountasQS.c. theplayerquitsplayingforamedicalconditionorseriousreason:“JustifiedQuit”thisdoesn’tcountasQS.d. theplayerreturnshisscorecard:“Return”scorecountasQS.e. theplayerdoesn’treturnhisscorecard:“NoReturn”(NR)thiscountasQS=>+0,1f. theplayerquitsplayingforotherreasons:“UnjustifiedQuit”(UNJQUIT)thiscountsasQS=>+0,1g. theplayerwasdisqualifiedfortechnicaloffenceswhenitcannotbedeterminedhowmuchadvantagethe
playermayhavegainedbybreachingarule:“Disqualified”(DQ)thiscountsasQS=>+0,1h. the player was disqualified with a score and an adjusted score can be calculated inspite of his
disqualificationfortechnicaloffences:“DQwithValidScore”(DQVASCO)thiscountasQS,withthescoreascalculated.
3.7 RESERVED
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3.8 EXTRADAYSCORES(EDS)
3.8.1 An EDS subject to the provisions of clauses 3.8.2, 3.8.3, 3.8.4 and 3.8.5, is a qualifying score forhandicapping.
3.8.2 ThenumberofEDSislimitedtoamaximumof5inanycalenderyear.3.8.3 PlayersmaymarkEDSonlyataffiliatedclubsinBelgium. Note: The player may be restricted to the course of his home club or course(s) designated by his
handicappingauthority.3.8.4 OnlyplayerswithanEGAhandicapinhandicapcategories2-6mayreturnanEDSforhandicapping. Note:Aplayerofhandicapcategory1mayreturnamaximumofthreeEDSsforthepurposeofconfirming
anot-confirmedhandicap.3.8.5 AnEDSonlycountsforhandicappingwhentheplayerhasregisteredhisnameandFederalCardNumber
ontheEDSentrylistbeforestartingtheround.Hisentrymustincludethenumberofholestobeplayed(9or18holes),dateandhourofentry,nameandFederalNumberoftheMarker,EGA-andplayinghandicap.
3.8.6 Theplayermustrecordthesamedetailsasmentionedinclause3.8.5onhisscorecardandhemustreturnthescorecardsignedbythemarkerandcountersignedbyhimself.
3.8.7 Iftheplayer,afterregistrationontheEDSentrylist,doesnotreturnhisscorecard,aNRwillberecordedforhandicappurposes.
3.8.8 Aplayer’sEGAhandicap cannotbereducedtoahandicapcategorywhich isexcluded fromreturninganEDS.
Example:AplayerwithanEGAhandicapof4.7returnsanEDSof41Stablefordpoints.HisEGAhandicapwillonlybereducedby0.2to4.5andnotby0.7.
EXPLANATORYNOTE:EXTRADAYSCORES
TheEGAHandicap System (aswell as otherhandicap systems) is basedon thepremise that everyplayerwillreturn a sufficient number of scores to provide reasonable evidence of his playing standard. The EGA hasaccepted four scores as aminimum requirement, but every additional scorewill improve the accuracy of thehandicapsubstantially.
Althoughcommitteesmayconsiderthatinthecourseoftheseasonampleopportunityisprovidedtoparticipateingolf competitions, experience has shown thatmanyplayers struggle to return a sufficient number of scores tomaintainahandicapthatreflectstheirplayingability.Thismaybedueto:− workorfamilycommitmentspreventingparticipationincompetitions.− difficultyinobtainingacceptablestartingtimesonpreferreddays.− adecliningdesiretoplayregularcompetitiongolf.
EDSsprovideaformattosupplementscoresfromqualifyingcompetitionsforhandicappurposes.Theintentistoaugmentthesometimessparse informationfromcompetitiongolfandtoenableplayerstomeettheminimumrequirementoffourscoresinaseason.Sincethecommitmenttoreturnthescore,goodorbad,ismadebeforethe round starts and handicap conditions must be in operation, the EDS round technically compares to acompetitionround.
3.9 EGAPLAYINGHANDICAP(PLAYINGHANDICAP)
3.9.1 Theplayinghandicap is thenumberofhandicapstrokesaplayerreceivesforaspecificsetofteesatthecoursebeingplayed.
3.9.2 Iftheplayinghandicapisnegative,termeda“plus”playinghandicap,theplayermustgivehandicapstrokestothecourse,commencingatstrokeindex18.
3.9.3 Aplayer’splayinghandicapisdeterminedbyapplyinghisEGAhandicaptotheplayinghandicapformula:
a)Theplayinghandicapformulaforhandicapcategories1-5is:
PLAYINGHCPCat1-5=EGAHCPx(Sl/113)+(CR-PAR) Note: The playing handicap is expressed as a whole number, 0.5 rounds upwards. This means -0.5 [=
“plus”0.5]roundsupwardsto0[scratch]and-1.5[=“plus”1.5]to-1[=“plus”1]. b)Theplayinghandicapformulaforhandicapcategory6is:
PLAYINGHCPCAT6=EGAHCP+PlayingHcpDifferential
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3.9.4 Fora9-hole,player’splayinghandicapisdeterminedbyapplyinghisEGAhandicaptothe9-holeplayinghandicapformula:
a)The9-holeplayinghandicapformulaforhandicapcategories2-5is:
PLAYINGHCPCat2-5=EGAHCPx9-HOLESSl/113+(9-HOLESCR–9-HOLESPARx2)
2 Example:TheEGAhandicapofaplayer is11.8.Heplays the front9-holesofacourse fromtheyellow
tees.
Yellowteesmen
18holes Front9-holes Back9-holes
CourseRating 72.4 71.6 73.2
Slope 127 122 132
Par 72 35 37
HandicapStrokes 14 7 6
Hisplayinghandicapis:
PlayingHandicap= 11.8x122/113+(71.6–2x35)=7.17è rounded=7
2
b)The9-holeplayinghandicapformulaforhandicapcategory6is:
3.9.5 Aplayer’splayinghandicapmayalsobedeterminedbyapplyinghisEGAhandicaptoa9-holeor18-hole
playinghandicaptable,seeAppendixC.3.9.6 The handicap allowance is the number of handicap strokes a player receives (or gives) in a handicap
competition. It is thepercentageof theplayinghandicapdeterminedby theCommittee inchargeof thecompetition.
3.9.7 Handicapstrokesareallocatedholebyholeaccordingtothehandicapstrokeindexindicatedonthescorecard.Strokesin9-holeroundsaretakenaccordingtotherelevanthandicapstrokeindex.
Example:Whenplaying9-holestowhichtheevenstrokeindiceshavebeenallocatedtheplayer,receivingsevenstrokes,receivesstrokesattheholeswithhandicapstrokeindex2,4,6,8,10,12and14.
3.9.8AnEGAhandicapmayconverttoaplayinghandicapexceedingthemaximumEGAhandicap.
EXPLANATORYNOTE:PLUSHANDICAPS
Originally,golfhandicapswerederivedforstrokeplay.Theywereassessedagainstthescratchplayerandwerestrokestobetakenoffaplayer’sscore.Whenitbecamenecessarytohandicapaplayerwhohaddemonstratedthathewasbetterthanthenationalscratchplayer,ratherthanre-handicappingthescratchplayerandallotherplayersupwards,theconceptofaddingstrokestoascorewasacceptedandsuchhandicapsweredesignatedas“plus handicaps”. As a net score is determined by subtracting the player’s handicap from the gross score,mathematicallytheplushandicapbecomesanegativenumber.Handicapsaslowasplus5havebeenattained.
PLAYING HCPCAT 6= (EGA HCP/2) + Playing Hcp Differential9-hole
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EXPLANATORYNOTE:9-HOLESCORES
ThereisacertainanalogytoEDSinthereasoningforintroducing9-holecompetitionsand9-holeEDS.Again,inresponsetothedemandsofworkingandfamilylifeorphysicallimitations,9-holesscoreshavebeenintroducedtoprovideadditionalopportunitiestoreturnqualifyingscores.
Since its introduction in 2007, the 9-hole qualifying round has become very popular in several countries,sometimes amounting to 30 % of all rounds for a particular group of players, such as senior players andparticipantsineveningcompetitionswithrestricteddaylight.
Howeverthetraditionalwayforaroundofgolf,i.e.over18holes,isstillconsideredtobethepreferredformatforhandicapping.Forthatreasontheplayerwhocanplay18holesinonedayisnotallowedtoreturntwo9-holescoresinoneday.
For decisions from the EGA Handicapping and Course Rating Committee on EGA handicap and EGA playinghandicap,seesection4.5.
3.10 STABLEFORD
3.10.1For handicapping, all qualifying scores must be converted to Stableford points based on a handicapallowanceof100%ofplayinghandicap.
3.10.2Forhandicapping,theStablefordpointsareawardedinrelationtotheParateachholeasfollows: Netscoreonahole Points
MorethanoneoverParornoscorereturned....................................................................................................................... 0OneoverPar....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1Par............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2OneunderPar..................................................................................................................................................................................... 3TwounderPar.................................................................................................................................................................................... 4ThreeunderPar................................................................................................................................................................................. 5FourunderPar................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
3.10.3For 18-hole or 9-hole qualifying scores the result is recorded on the player’s handicap record. 9-Holequalifyingscoresmustbeclearlyidentifiedontheplayer’shandicaprecord(seeAppendixA).
3.10.4Reserved3.10.5Anyscore inaPar/BogeyqualifyingorcountingcompetitionmustbeconvertedtoaStablefordscoreby
adding36pointstotheplayer’sfinalresult. Example: 2down: – 2 + 36 = 34 Stablefordpoints
5up : + 5 + 36 = 41 StablefordpointsAllsquare : 0 + 36 = 36 Stablefordpoints
3.10.6 Aplayerplaysexactlytohishandicapwhenhereturnsascoreof36Stablefordpointsover18holesor18Stablefordpointsover9holes.
EXPLANATORYNOTE:STABLEFORD
The purpose of applying the Stableford point calculation for handicapping is to reduce the impact of aparticularlybadscoreonaholewhichdoesnottrulyreflectagolfer’splayingability.Otherhandicapsystemsusesimilarmeasuresforstrokecontrolsuchasnetdoublebogeyadjustment.
This restricts thescoreonabadhole fora totaladjustedstrokeplayscore forhandicappingpurposes. It alsoallowsa failuretoholeoutonahole inastrokeplaycompetitiontobeconvertedtoascore forhandicappingpurposes.
StablefordscoringisameasureofperformanceagainstPar;thesystemwasdesignedsothataplayerplayingtohandicap scores36Stablefordpointsover18holes.TheEGAHandicapSystem adjustshandicapsbyassessingperformanceagainstCourseRatingsoastrokeallowanceisincludedintheplayinghandicapformula(CR-Par)toallowforanydifferencesbetweenCourseRatingandPar.
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3.11 ATTAININGANEGAHANDICAP
3.11.1 AnEGAHandicapcanonlybeobtainedbyamemberofanaffiliatedclubwhohassuccesfullypassedhis“BAGorGVB”exam.
3.11.2 TheattributedEGAhandicapis54forbothmenandwomen. AnEGAhandicapmayconvertintoaplayinghandicapexceedingthisnumber.3.11.3 ItisstronglyrecommendedthattheinitialEGAhandicapattainedunderthisClauseismonitoredbythe
handicapcommitteeandifnecessaryageneralplayadjustmentfollowingtheproceduressetoutundersection3.16shouldbeapplied.
3.12 ALTERATIONOFHANDICAPS3.12.1 The recording of qualifying scores must be kept as Stableford points. The handicap committeemust
recordtheplayer’squalifyingscoresinchronologicalorder3.12.2 Foreachqualifyingscore,thestandardgrossdifferentialwillbecalculatedandmarked.3.12.3 Aplayer’shandicaprecord(exampleinAppendixA)mustcontain:
a. thedateoftheroundb. thedateofentryc. informationonwheretheroundwasplayedd. thescoreandtype(9-holescoresand18-holescoresmustbeclearlyidentified)e. thequalifyingStablefordscoref. thestandardgrossdifferentialg. therevisedEGAhandicaph. designationconfirmedornot-confirmedi. courserating,slope,Par,...
Note:Adjusted(qualifying)scoresareStablefordscorescomputedbythehandicapcommitteebasedonadisqualificationor,seesection3.6.
3.12.4 A playermust return at least four (4) eligible scores each calendar year to provide his handicappingauthoritywiththenecessaryinformationabouthisplayingabilityinordertoproperlymaintainhisEGAhandicapinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofclause3.12.8-3.12.15andtobeabletoconfirmoradjusthisEGAhandicapattheHR.Suchahandicapisdesignatedconfirmed.
3.12.5 AconfirmedEGAhandicapmustbeclearlymarkedassuchontheplayer’shandicaprecord.3.12.6 AnEGAhandicapmaintainedonthree(3)orfewereligiblescores inthepastcalendaryearisbasedon
insufficient currentdata and cannotbe reliably verified, and is thereforedesignatednot-confirmed. Intheabsenceofadequateandnecessaryinformationforadjustmentandrevision,thathandicapmaynottrulyreflectthescoringpotentialoftheplayerandmustremainunchangedatthehandicapreview.
3.12.7 AnEGAhandicapwhichisnot-confirmedwillbecomeconfirmed,assoonastheplayerhasreturnedthreeeligiblescores.
3.12.8 If a player returns a qualifying score within his relevant buffer zone his EGA handicap remainsunchanged.
3.12.9 With the exception of counting competition, if a player returns aqualifying score with fewer Stableford points than hisbufferzoneorrecordsaNR,DQ,UNJQUIT,hisEGAhandicapisincreasedby0.1forhandicapcategory1to5.
3.12.10 Ifaplayerreturnsaqualifyingscoreabovehisbufferzone,hisEGAhandicapisreducedbyanamountperStablefordpoint in excess of thebuffer zone, the amountperpoint beingdeterminedbyhishandicapcategory.
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3.12.11 EGAhandicapsmustbeadjustedasfollows:
HandicapCategory
EGAHandicap
BufferZone Stableford-points
belowthebufferzone:addonly
Subtractforeach
Stableford-point
abovethebufferzone:
18-holescores9-holescores
1 plus–4.4 33–36 – 0.1 0.1
2 4.5–11.4 32–36 0–18 0.1 0.2
3 11.5–18.4 31–36 16–18 0.1 0.3
4 18.5–26.4 30–36 15–18 0.1 0.4
5 26.5–36.0 30–36 14–18 0.1 0.5
6 37-54 0–36 0–18 0 1
Example: Ifaplayerplayingoffhandicap11.2returnsaStablefordscoreof31points,hisEGAhandicapbecomes
11.3.IfhethenreturnsaStablefordscoreof42points,hisEGAhandicap isreducedby(42-36)x0.2=1.2,i.e.toanEGAhandicapof10.1
3.12.12When a player’sEGAhandicap is to be reduced froma higherhandicap category to a lowerhandicapcategory,itmustbereducedattherateappropriatetothehighercategoryonlysofarastobringhisEGAhandicapintothelowercategoryandthebalanceofthereductionmustbeattherateappropriatetothelowercategory.
Example: If aplayerplayingoffhandicap19.1(handicapcategory4) returnsaStablefordscoreof42points,hisEGAhandicapisreducedasfollows:
19.1 - (2x0.4)=19.1 -0.8 =18.3, takinghim intohandicapcategory3,nowthereduction is0.3perpointgiving18.3-(4x0.3)=18.3-1.2=17.1
3.12.13 Increasesandreductionsofaplayer’sEGAhandicapmustbemadeandregisteredbythehandicappingauthorityassoonaspracticable.
Note:ItistheresponsibilityoftheplayertoapplytheincreaseorreductiontohisEGAhandicapwhererequiredafteraqualifyingroundforascorenotyetrecordedonhishandicaprecord(seeclause3.5.7).
3.12.14 Aplayer’sEGAhandicapcannotbereducedbyreturninganEDSscoretoahandicapcategory1.3.12.15 Aplayer’sEGAhandicapcannotbereducedbyreturninga9-holequalifyingscoretoahandicapcategory1.
3.13 SUSPENSIONANDLOSSOFHANDICAPS
3.13.1 The RBGF or the handicapping authorityof a playermay suspend the player’sEGA handicap if, in itsopinion,hehasdeliberatelyfailedtocomplywithhisobligationsimposedbytheEGAHandicapSystem.
3.13.2 If it is established to the satisfactionof theplayer’shandicap committeeafterdue investigation that aplayerhasfailedtoreportawayqualifyingscores,theEGAHandicapoftheplayermaybesuspendedforsuchaperiodasthehandicapcommitteeconsidersappropriatetoobtainthenecessary informationtoreinstateandadjusttheplayer’shandicap.
3.13.3 Theplayermustbenotifiedoftheperiodofsuspensionandofanyotherconditionsimposed.Noplayer’shandicapmaybesuspendedwithoutfirstaffordingtheplayertheopportunityofappearingbeforethehandicapcommitteeofhishandicappingauthority.
3.13.4 Disciplinaryproceedingswithrespecttoanallegedoffencecommittedataplayer’shomeclubmustbeinitiatedanddeterminedbyhishomeclub. Inallothercases theplayer’shandicappingauthoritymusthearanddeterminetheissue.
3.13.5 If a player is a member of more than one affiliated club, a club which is not his home club may notsuspendhisEGAHandicap.
3.13.6 If a player is suspended from membership of his home club, his EGA handicap must be suspendedautomaticallyuntilthemembershipisreinstated.
3.13.7 AplayerisnoteligibletocompeteinorenteranygolfeventwhichrequiresanEGAHandicapwhilsthishandicapissuspended.
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3.13.8 Thesuspensionofaplayer’shandicapappliesatallaffiliatedclubsofwhichtheplayeris,orbecomes,amemberduringtheperiodofsuspension.
3.13.9 Aplayerwhoisdissatisfiedwithadecisionunderclause3.13.1–3.13.8mayfileappealwithin20daysofthedateofthelettercommunicatingthedecisiontohim,andthisbymeansofregisteredletterwithacknowledgementofreceipt.Two copies of the motivated request for appeal should be sent to the RBGF at the attention of theSecretaryGeneralwhowillforwardittotheTechnicalCommitteeassoonaspossiblebutnolaterthan20calendardaysafterreceipt.An appeal filed in due course does not suspend the enforcement of the decision which is subject toappeal.TheSecretary-Generalwillrequestthedocumentsfromtherelevantclubandforwardthemaccordinglyto theTechnicalCommittee.The relevant clubhas20days to submit the requesteddocuments to theRBGF.TheplayermustbeheardbytheTechnicalCommittee.The player will be summoned at least 10 days before the hearing. The player will be notified byregisteredmailofthedate,timeandplaceofthehearing.Attherequestoftheplayerorhiscounsel,acopyofthereportisavailableforexamination.Thehearingispublic.Theproceduretakesplaceinacontradictorymanner.Iftheplayerfailstoattendorberepresentedatthehearing,theTechnicalCommitteewilltakeadecisionbydefault.TheTechnicalCommitteeshallconcludethedecisionofthehearingwithin20days.ThedecisionwillbecommunicatedtotheSecretaryGeneralinwriting,whointurnshallforwardcopyofthedecisiontotheplayerassoonaspossiblebyregisteredletterwithacknowledgementofreceipt.Acopyofthedecisionwillalsobeforwardedtotheclubconcerned.Ifadecisionisrenderedbydefault,theplayermayopposetothedecisionbymeansofregisteredletterwithacknowledgementofreceiptsenttotheattentionoftheSecretaryGeneralandthiswithin20daysofthedateofthelettercommunicatingthedecisiontohim.Anoppositionmadebeyondthisdatewillbeinadmissible.Theoppositionmustbemotivated.Itdoesnotsuspendtheenforcementofthedecisionwhichissubjecttoopposition.The player will again be summoned by the Technical Committee according to the procedure set outabove.Ifthedecisionisrenderedbydefault,afurtheroppositionwillbeinadmissible.
3.13.10 Exceptwhenaplayerchangeshandicappingauthorities,aplayer’sEGAhandicapisimmediatelylostwhentheplayerceasestobeamemberofanyaffiliatedclubornationalassociation.
3.13.11 If a player looses his Amateur Status, hisEGA handicap must be suspended automatically until he isreinstatedinhisAmateurStatus.
3.14 RESTORATIONOFHANDICAPS
3.14.1 AplayerwhoseEGAhandicaphasbeensuspendedundertheprovisionsofclause3.13.1and3.13.2canregainhisEGAhandicapinsuchmannerasthehandicapcommitteeofhishandicappingauthoritydecidessubjecttotheprovisionsofclause3.14.3.
3.14.2 IftheEGAhandicapofaplayeristobereinstatedwithin24monthsofthedateonwhichthehandicapwassuspendedorlostinaccordancewithclause3.13.6,3.13.10or3.13.11,itmustbereinstatedatthesamehandicaptheplayerlastheld,exceptunderexceptionalcircumstances.InallothercasestheplayerwillbeallottedanewEGAhandicapafterhehassubmittedatleastthreeeligiblescoresover18holesonbasisofhislastheldEGAHcp.
Note:Ifapplicable,ahandicapreviewshouldbecarriedoutbeforethehandicapisreinstated.3.14.3 Whenallottinganewhandicaptoaplayer,thehandicapcommitteemustgivedueconsiderationtothe
handicaplastheld.Ahandicapcategory1handicapmustnotbeallottedwithoutthewrittenapprovaloftheRBGF.
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3.15 HANDICAPREVIEW
3.15.1 Thehandicapcommitteeofahandicappingauthoritymustperformahandicapreview(HR)assoonaspossibleaftertheendoftheseason(asfrom1sttill31stofJanuary).TheHRismandatoryforallplayersincategories1-5.
Note: In addition, a playermay also request a handicap review, at any time, under the provisions ofClause3.15.3
3.15.2 ThehandicapcommitteemustusetheHandicapReviewProcedureinAppendixBinorderto:− listconfirmedhandicapsandnot-confirmedhandicaps− implementthesuggestedadjustmentsforconfirmedhandicapsincategories1-5− constituteandannouncetheHR-report
3.15.3 AtthediscretionoftheRBGForhandicapauthority,aconfirmedEGAhandicapisaprerequisiteforentryintoacompetitionforwhichanEGAHandicapisrequired.
Note:DirectingthataconfirmedEGAhandicapisaprerequisiteforentryintoacompetitionforwhichanEGAHandicapisarequirementisconsistentwiththeaimsofcreatingafairandlevelplayingfield.Not-confirmedhandicapsmaybeallowedtocompetewithoutbeingeligibletowina(net)prizeorforsocialgolfandthelike.
EXPLANATORYNOTE:HANDICAPREVIEW
TheHRhastwomainobjectives:ToidentifythoseplayerswhohavereturnedenoughscorestobeassessedeffectivelyToassesswhetherthescoringperformanceofallsuchplayersinhandicapcategories1to5isrepresentativeoftheplayers’abilityasindicatedbytheircurrentEGAhandicap.TheHR is an essential procedurewithin theEGAHandicap System and thereforemandatory. It is designed tocheckthatplayershavehandicapsthatreasonablyreflecttheirability.Itisacceptedthatthecommittee’sabilitytoapplytheprocessobjectivelyvarieswidelyfromclubtoclubasitisheavilydependentontheexperienceandknowledgeofthecommittee.Afterconsiderablestatisticalresearch,aprocedurehasbeendesignedthatwillenablecommitteestocarryouttheHRinauniformlyobjectivemanner.
ConfirmedandNot-Confirmedhandicaps
Aspartofthatresearchitwasdeterminedthat itwasnecessaryforaplayertoreturnat least four(4)eligiblescores in theperiodbetweenHRs foraneffectiveassessmenttobemadeofhisperformanceagainsthandicap.SuchplayershaveconfirmedhandicapsandareincludedintheHRassessment.Players that have returned three (3) or fewer eligible scores are excluded from the performance assessmentprocesswithintheHRandareregardedashavingnot-confirmedhandicaps.SuchplayersretainanEGAhandicapbutitcannotbedefinitelyverifiedasthecommitteehasbeenpresentedwithtoolittleinformationtomakethatjudgement.Howeverannot-confirmedhandicapcanbetakenasageneralindicationoftheplayer’scompetenceandisperfectlyacceptableforanyformofplaywheresuchanindicationisallthatisrequired.
TheReviewProcess
It is anticipated that if all parties, particularly thehandicappingauthority and the players, have fulfilled theirresponsibilities,thevastmajorityofplayerswillrequirenoadjustmentundertheHRandthisisanotherreasontocarryouttheprocessbyhavingastatisticalanalysisusingtheprocedure.ThemorescoresaplayerpresentsfortheHRthemorereliabletheprocessbecomes.Becauseofthis,whereaplayerhasreturnedfewerthaneighteligiblescoresintheHRperiod,thepreviousyear’seligiblescoreswillbeincludedinthecurrentreview.ThesoftwareusingthisprocedurewillsuggestadjustmentsandtheHandicapCommitteeMustverify,acceptandormodifythepropositions.
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3.16 GENERALPLAY
3.16.1Thehandicapcommitteemay,atitsdiscretion,adjusttheEGAhandicapsofplayersoutsidetheHRprocesson an individual basis; when exercising this dicretion the handicap committee is strictly limited in itsactionsby3.16.2-3.16.7.
3.16.2Whenaplayer’shandicapcommitteehassignificantevidence thataplayer’s currentEGAhandicapdoesnotreflecthisplayingability, then thehandicapcommitteemayadjust theEGAhandicap as it considersappropriate,butbynolessthanonewholestroke.
3.16.3IfthehandicapcommitteeconsidersthattheEGAhandicapofahandicapcategory1playeristobereducedor that theEGAhandicapofahandicapcategory2player is tobereduced intohandicapcategory1, thehandicapcommitteemustreferthemattertotheRBGF.
3.16.4When deciding whether to implement or recommend an adjustment of EGA handicap, the handicapcommittee of the player’shandicapping authoritymust consider all available information regarding theplayer’sgolfingability.Inparticular:− thefrequencyofroundsplayed;− thefrequencyofroundsplayedinproportiontothenumberofqualifyingscoresreturned;− thenumberofqualifyingscoresrecentlyreturned,notonlyscorestoandbelowhisEGAhandicapbut
alsoscoresinthebufferzoneorworse;− the player’s achievements inmatch play, four-ball (match play/stroke play) competitions and other
non-qualifyingrounds. Note1:Thehandicapcommitteeshouldbeparticularlyvigilantbothofplayerswhosegeneralstandardof
play isknowntobe improving,andofplayerswhohavemedicalorotherreasonswhichmayadverselyaffecttheirscoringability.
Note2:ThehandicapcommitteemayusethehandicapreviewreporttohelpidentifyplayerswhoseEGAHandicapmayneedageneralplayadjustmentandforthepurposeofdetermininganappropriate(adjust-ed)EGAHandicap.
3.16.5ThehandicapcommitteemustadvisetheplayerofanychangetohisEGAhandicapunderthisclauseandthechangebecomeseffectivewhentheplayerbecomesawareoftheadjustment.
Note: If theplayer isdissatisfiedwith thecommittee’sdecision,hemustbeafforded theopportunity toappear before the committee. At that meeting, the player must also be informed of his rights andobligationsimposedbytheEGAHandicapSystem.Whenexercisingthepowersdescribedinclause3.16.1–3.16.4,thehandicapcommitteemustrecogniseandapplyrelevantlegalprocedures.
3.16.6Aplayerwhoisdissatisfiedwithadecisionunderclause3.16.1–3.16.5mayfileappealwithin20daysofthe date of the letter communicating the decision to him, and this by means of registered letter withacknowledgementofreceipt.Two copies of the motivated request for appeal should be sent to the RBGF at the attention of theSecretaryGeneralwhowillforwardittotheTechnicalCommitteeassoonaspossiblebutnolaterthan20calendardaysafterreceipt.Anappealfiledinduecoursedoesnotsuspendtheenforcementofthedecisionwhichissubjecttoappeal.TheSecretary-GeneralwillrequestthedocumentsfromtherelevantclubandforwardthemaccordinglytotheTechnicalCommittee.Therelevantclubhas20daystosubmittherequesteddocumentstotheRBGF.TheplayermustbeheardbytheTechnicalCommittee.Theplayerwillbesummonedatleast10daysbeforethehearing.Theplayerwillbenotifiedbyregisteredmailofthedate,timeandplaceofthehearing. Attherequestoftheplayerorhiscounsel,acopyofthereportisavailableforexamination.Thehearingispublic.Theproceduretakesplaceinacontradictorymanner.Iftheplayerfailstoattendorberepresentedatthehearing,theTechnicalCommitteewilltakeadecisionbydefault.TheTechnicalCommitteeshallconcludethedecisionofthehearingwithin20days.ThedecisionwillbecommunicatedtotheSecretaryGeneralinwriting,whointurnshallforwardcopyofthedecisiontotheplayerassoonaspossiblebyregisteredletterwithacknowledgementofreceipt.Acopyofthedecisionwillalsobeforwardedtotheclubconcerned.Ifadecisionisrenderedbydefault, theplayermayopposetothedecisionbymeansofregisteredletterwithacknowledgementofreceiptsenttotheattentionoftheSecretaryGeneralandthiswithin20daysofthedate of the letter communicating thedecision tohim.Anoppositionmadebeyond this datewill beinadmissible.Theoppositionmustbemotivated.Itdoesnotsuspendtheenforcementofthedecisionwhichissubjecttoopposition.TheplayerwillagainbesummonedbytheTechnicalCommitteeaccordingtotheproceduresetoutabove.Ifthedecisionisrenderedbydefault,afurtheroppositionwillbeinadmissible.
3.16.7The handicap committee or the body organising a competition at a club which is not the player’shandicappingauthoritymayreducehishandicap,ifithasvalidreasonstoconcludethathisEGAhandicapis too high. Any reductionmade under this clause shall applies only to the competition forwhich it ismade.Theplayer’shomeclubmustbenotifiedandprovidedwithfulldetails.
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GUIDANCENOTE:GENERALPLAYADJUSTMENTS
Thehandicap committee should adjust the player’s handicap betweenhandicap reviews if there is compellingevidencethathishandicapdoesnotreflecthiscurrentplayingability.
Itisimportanttonotethatoneverygoodorbadisolated,scoreisnotavalidargumenttoreduceorincreasethehandicapmore than the systemprescribes.Ageneralplay adjustment is a reductionor increasebasedon thegeneralperformanceoftheplayer.Ifthereisapatternindicatingamismatchofthehandicapandactualscoresthecommitteewouldbejustifiedtomaketheadjustment.
Generalplayadjustmentsarereactionstosituationsthatcanoccurduringtheyearandshouldbemadeunderthesamebasiccriteriausedinthehandicapreview.
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PART4DECISIONS
4.1 HANDICAPCONDITIONS
4.1.1 Dohandicapconditionsprevailwhengolfcarts/buggiesarepermitted?
TheRulesofGolfdonotprohibittheuseofgolfcarts/buggies.Thereforetheuseofagolfcart/buggybyitselfwillnotcancelthestatusofhandicappingconditions.
Eveniftheconditionsofthecompetitionprohibittheuseofgolfcarts/buggiesandbecauseofthebreachofthoseconditionstheplayerwasdisqualified,thescorewillbeconsideredforhandicappingpurposes.
4.1.2 Dohandicapconditionsprevailwhendistancemeasuringdevicesarepermitted?
TheRulesofGolfprohibittheuseofdistancemeasuringdevicesunlesstheyareallowedbyaLocalRule,seenotetoR14-3RulesofGolf.However,evenwithoutaLocalRule,handicapconditionsareconsideredsatisfiedwhendistancemeasuringdevices areusedduringqualifying competitions orEDSs. Thus, if theplayerwasdisqualifiedbecauseofabreachofRule14-3forusingadistancemeasuringdevicewhennotpermitted,thescoreshouldstillbeconsideredforhandicappingpurposes,seeclause3.6.2c.
4.1.3 Dohandicapconditionsprevailwhengreenstaffhascarriedoutmaintenanceworkduringthecompetition?
Itisnotdesirableformaintenanceworktobecarriedoutduringacompetition. However,wherethisoccursandthecommitteehasnottakenanyactionsuchassuspendingorcancelling
the competition, the scores should be considered returned underhandicap conditions. Thus, the scoreswillbeconsideredforhandicappingpurposes.
4.1.4 Dohandicapconditionsprevailwhenartificiallysurfacedteesareinuse?
Artificially surfaced tees (e.g. Astroturf or concrete-based tees), even if they do not strictly satisfy theRulesofGolfdefinitionofateeingground,donothaveadisruptiveeffectonthehandicapconditions,aslongastheartificialteesarelocatedinpositionsthatcomplywiththemeasurementoftherelevanthole.Therefore, scores returned from rounds played from artificial tees are considered qualifying scoresreturnedunderhandicapconditions.
4.1.5 Dohandicapconditionsprevailwhenartificiallysurfacedputtinggreensareinuse?
ArtificiallysurfacedputtinggreensareacceptableundertheRulesofGolfprovidedtheproperprovisionshave beenmade in a Local Rule to declare the artificially surfacedputting greens not to beimmovableobstructionsbutintegralpartsofthecourse.
TheUSGACourseandSlopeRatingCommitteehasconfirmedthatartificial turfmayberatedunder theUSGACourseRatingSystem.Whenboththeseconditionshavebeenfulfilledscoresreturnedfromroundsplayedfromartificiallysurfacedputtinggreensareconsideredqualifyingscoresreturnedunderhandicapconditions.
4.1.6 Dohandicapconditionsprevailinextendedcompetitionswitheclecticoraggregateawards?
If, fromaseriesofscores,specialprizesareawardedforthebesteclecticscoreorthebestnetorgrossaggregateofaprescribednumberofscores,eachindividualscoreintheseriesis:– aqualifyingscoreprovidedeachscoreisreturnedunderhandicapconditionsinaqualifyingorcounting
competition.– a non-qualifying score if it was returned solely for the purpose of eclectic, net or gross aggregate
awards.
4.1.7 Isacompetitionaqualifyingcompetitionwhereplayersareallowedtostartfromdifferenttees(e.g.atwo-
teeorshotgunstart)?
Competitionsinwhichcompetitorsareauthorisedtostartfromdifferenttees,suchaswithshotgunstarts,arequalifyingcompetitionsprovidedhandicapconditionsprevail.
4.2 RIGHTSANDOBLIGATIONSOFTHEPLAYER
4.2.1 Mayplayersberequiredtoentertheirownscoresintoacomputer?
Usuallyscorecardshavetobereturnedtothecommitteeinchargeofthecompetition.Thecommitteewillthen enter the scores into the computer.However, if thehandicap committee requires players to entertheir own qualifying scores (including EDSs) into the computer of the club, players must return anadequatelysignedscorecard to thehandicapcommittee forverificationpurposesassoonaspracticable.Other arrangements to allow thehandicap committee´s verificationof anyEDS are acceptable, providedthatthehandicapcommitteeissatisfiedthatthecorrectscorewasrecorded.
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4.2.2 MayacommitteeimposeapenaltyundertheRulesofGolfforfailuretoenterascoreintoacomputer?
Playersmaybe requiredby aConditionof theCompetition to assist thehandicap committee in severalwayssuchas:− Providethescoretotalandapplythecorrecthandicap− EntertheStablefordpointstotalonthecard− Oncompletion,enterthehole-by-holescoresintoacomputer
AhandicapcommitteemaynotimposeaRuleofGolfpenaltywhenaplayerfailstocomplywithanyoftheaboveconditions.
TheRulesofGolfareveryspecificastowhattheplayer’sandanycommittee’sobligationsarewithrespectto score cards. Conditions of the Competition cannot change these requirements.Nopenalty under theRules of Golf can be imposed provided the player complies with Rule 6-6. However, the handicapcommittee would be justified to consider disciplinary action such as suspension of the handicap, seesection3.13,orexclusionfromthenextcompetition(s).
4.2.3 Mayaplayerhavetwohomeclubs?
Yes,undercertainconditions,butaplayermayneverhavemorethantwohomeclubs. Generally,ifaplayerisamemberoftwoaffiliatedclubsaffiliatedtotwodifferentnationalassociations,he
hastoselectoneclubashishomeclubwhichadministersandperformstheHRofhishandicap.However,if theplayerresidesineachcountryforperiodsofthreeormoreconsecutivemonths,hemaynominatetwohomeclubs.Bothclubsmayadministerhishandicaponlyforthetimeheisresidingintherespectivecountry.Assoonashemovestotheothercountry,hemustpresenthishandicaprecordtohishomeclubin that country for update. Furthermore, the playermust declarewhich of those two home clubs is toperformtheHR.Generally,thisshouldbetheclubatwhichtheplayerhasreturnedmostqualifyingscores.
4.3 QUALIFYINGSCORES
4.3.1 A player returns a qualifying score from a round played under the jurisdiction of another national
association (which is not the player’s handicapping authority). How can this score be applied for
handicappingpurposes?
Generallytheplayerhastoprovidehishomeclubwiththefollowinginformation:− Evidence that it was a qualifying score (e.g. a copy of Conditions of Competition or a list of official
scores)− Nameoftheclubatwhichtheroundwasplayed,andinformationaboutwhichassociation/federation
isthenationalassociationforthatclub− Ascorecardwiththehole-by-holescores− Parofeachhole− Handicapstrokeindexofeachholeplayed− USGACourseRatingvalueofthecourse(tees)played− Slopevalueofthecourse(tees)played− CBAofthecompetitionround,ifapplicable
Thisinformationenablestheplayer’shandicapcommitteetoestablishthecorrectplayinghandicapandtousetheawayscoreforhandicappingpurposes,byconvertingthescoreintoStablefordpointsaccordingtotherequirementsof theEGAHandicapSystem. Ifapplicable, theCBA-calculationmustbeappliedbeforehandicapadjustment.
4.3.2 A player returns a qualifying score from a round played under the jurisdiction of another national
associationwhichhasnotadoptedtheEGAHandicapSystem.Howcanthisscorebeappliedforhandicapping
purposes?
CONGU: TheUSGACourseRatingvaluewillbereplacedbytheStandardScratchScore(SSS)andtheCBAbyCSS
(CompetitionScratchScore).ScoresplayedunderthejurisdictionofCONGUwillhavetobeconvertedintoStableford points according to the requirements of the EGA Handicap System. The playing handicapappliedfortheconversionintoStablefordpointsmustbecalculatedasfollows:
a. IfnoSlopeisavailable:
PLAYINGHCP=EGAHCP+(SSS-PAR)
Theresultmustberoundedtothenearestwholenumber.
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b. IfSlopeisavailable:
PLAYINGHCP=EGAHCPx(Sl/113)+(SSS–PAR)
Inbothcasesthe(SSS–CSS)mustbeappliedtotheplayersStablefordscoreastheCBA. USGA: Scores returned from rounds played under the jurisdiction of the USGA will have to be
convertedintoStablefordpointsaccordingtotherequirementsoftheEGAHandicapSystem. The playing handicap which the conversion into Stableford points is based on, must be calculated as
follows:
PLAYINGHCP=EGAHCPx(Sl/113)+(CR-PAR)
Theresultmustberoundedtothenearestwholenumber. NoCBA. Othercountries CountriesoutsideCONGUandUSGAwhichusetheUSGACourseRating:seeUSGA. Scoresfromroundsplayedinothercountriesarenotacceptableasqualifyingscores.
4.3.3 Howwill a score returned in a competitionwherehandicap limits apply, butwhere the player’s handicap
exceedsthelimit,betreatedforhandicappingpurposes?
Thescoreisaqualifyingscore.Itwillbeusedforhandicappingpurposes,assessedagainsttheplayer’sEGAhandicap, even though thatEGAhandicap exceeded the limit.Other than for the competition result, theStableford points used for handicapping will be calculated from the actual playing handicap. Thecompetitionresultwill,however,becalculatedusingtheEGAhandicaplimitsimposedbytheconditionsofcompetition.
Example: HCPLimit=24.0;EGAHCP28.2;CR=71.3;Sl=129;Par=72 PLAYINGHCPforcompetition=(24.0xSl/113)+CR–Par ⇨(24.0x129/113)+71.3–72=26.6⇨27handicapstrokes PLAYINGHCPforHandicapping=(28.2xSl/113)+CR–Par ⇨(28.2x129/113)+71.3–72=31.4⇨31handicapstrokes
4.3.4 How should scores returned in stroke play competitions where handicaps do not apply be used for
handicappingpurposes?
Evenifhandicapsdonotapplyforthecompetitionresults,thescoresplayedinsuchroundsarequalifyingscores, provided the handicap conditions are satisfied. The handicap committee must calculate theStablefordscoreforeachplayerusingtheplayinghandicapbasedontheEGAhandicap.
4.3.5 MayanEDS9-holescore,returnedwhen18holeshavebeenplayed,beacceptedforhandicappingpurposes?
Yes, provided that the player had previously registered the 9-hole EDS as required. Theprovisionthata9-holescoremaynotbepartofan18-holescoreismeanttopreventtheplayerchoosingthebetterofthetwo9-holescores.Thismayappeartobeagainstthespiritandintentofallowing9-holescores,but itwouldnotbeappropriate,orpracticable, to interferewith thewayplayerswant tospendtheirtime.
4.3.6 Two 9-hole competitions are organised by a club on the same day.May scores from the second round be
acceptedforhandicappingpurposes? No
4.3.7 What is thestatusof thescoreofaplayerwhowasallowedbytheCommitteetoplay inacompetition for
whichhedidnotsatisfytheentryrequirements?
AplayerreturnsaqualifyingscoreafterplayinginacompetitioninwhichhewasallowedtoplaybytheCommitteewithoutbeingeligibletowinaprize,e.g.aplayerholdinganot-confirmedhandicaporajuniorin senior event. Provided the requirements of section 3.8 (EDS) are met, the status of the score isequivalenttoanEDS.
4.4 Reserved
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4.5 EGAHANDICAPANDEGAPLAYINGHANDICAP
4.5.1 How should the playing handicap of players from outside the jurisdiction of the EGAHandicap System be
appliedwhentheyparticipateinacompetitionplayedaccordingtotheEGAHCPSystem?
CONGU: TheplayinghandicapofagolferholdingaCONGU®ExactHandicaphastobecalculatedasfollows:
PLAYINGHCP=CONGU®EXACTHCP+(CR-PAR)
Example: CONGU®EXACTHCP=19.5;CR=70.2;Sl=125,Par=72 ⇨19.5+(70.2-72)=19.5+(-1.8)=19.5–1.8=17.7⇨18 USGA: TheplayinghandicapofagolferholdingaUSGAIndexhastobecalculatedasfollows:
PLAYINGHCP=USGAINDEXx(Sl/113)+(CR-PAR)
Example: USGAINDEX=19.5;CR=70.2;Sl=125,Par=72 ⇨(19.5x125/113)+(70.2-72)=21.6+(-1.8)=21.6–1.8=19.8⇨20 Note: A CONGU® Exact Handicap is not based on Slope, thus, a Slope adjustment is not required to
calculatetheEGAPlayingHandicap.AUSGAIndexis,however,basedonSlope,asisanEGAHandicap,thusitisnecessarytoaccountfortheSlopefactorofthecourseplayedwhencalculatingtheplayinghandicap.CONGU®ExactHandicapsthereforehaveadifferentdefinitionascomparedtotheUSGAIndexandtheEGAHandicap.USGAIndexandEGAHandicaparemoreorlesscomparable.
4.5.2 HowmayhandicapsdeterminedbyhandicappingsystemsotherthantheEGAHandicapSystembeconverted
intoEGAHandicaps?
Generally a handicap other than an EGA Handicap will only be converted into anEGA Handicap if theplayermovestoacountrywheretheEGAHandicapSystemhasbeenadoptedandhebecomesamemberofanaffiliatedclubwhichhenominatesashishomeclub.Acopyofthehandicaprecordshouldbeobtainedandretainedbyhisnewhomeclub.
The following calculation does not apply for players from outside the EGA jurisdiction for singlecompetitions.Seedecision4.5.1
ConversionofCONGU®EXACTHCPintoEGAHCP AnyconversionofhandicapsfromCONGUtoEGAcanonlybeapproximate. As Slope is not part of the CONGU®Handicapping System, the CONGU handicaps are not directly
comparablewithEGAHandicaps.ThereforetheyhavetobeSlope-adjustedasfollows:
EGAHCP=CONGU®EXACTHCPx113/124
(theapproximateaverageofcourseslopesinCONGU) ConversionofUSGAIndexintoEGAHCP AsUSGAIndexesarebasedonSlope,noadditionalconversionhastobedone.ThereforetheUSGAIndex
willbecometheEGAHandicap.
EGAHCP=USGAINDEX
In all other cases, the player must return three scores as soon as possible played under handicap
conditions,toallocatehimanewEGAHandicapundertherequirementsofclause3.11.3.
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4.5.3 How should the player ensure that his playing handicap on the score card is correct?May the Committee
waivethepenaltyofDQ?
TosatisfyRule6-2andRulesofGolfDecision6-2/1theplayerisrecommendtoactasfollows,specificallywhenplayingaway:1. Write the EGA handicap on the card if it does not appear in the printed section.Check the playing
handicapwiththeplayinghandicaptable,enteroradjustifrequired.2. If theEGAhandicap isprintedonthecard,checkthevalueandcorrect ifrequired.Checktheplaying
handicapwiththeplayinghandicaptable,enteroradjustifrequired.3. Ifnoplayinghandicaptableisreadilyavailable*checkwiththeCommitteewhentheEGAhandicapis
missingorincorrectlyrecorded.Otherwiseassumethecomputationiscorrect.* “Readilyavailable”meansdisplayedintheareawherescorecardsareissuedclosetothestarting
teeorintherecordingarea. TheaboveroutinedoesnotabsolvetheplayerfromhisresponsibilityunderRule6-2,butwillnormally
takecareofwrongplayinghandicap informationforanindividualplayerduetorecentalterationstohisEGAhandicaporotheradministrativeerrors.
When,however,asystematicerrorhasbeenmadeincomputingtheplayinghandicap(s)andnomeansof
verification are available to the player(s), this is a Committee error that should warrant waiving thepenaltyofdisqualificationunderRule33-7.
4.6 ALTERATIONOFHANDICAPSsection3.12
4.7 CONFIRMEDHANDICAP,NOT-CONFIRMEDHANDICAP;HANDICAPREVIEWsection3.15
4.7.1 Mayaplayerwithanot-confirmedhandicapbeallowedtoplayinacompetitionforwhichanEGAhandicap
isrequired?
Clause 3.15.3 stipulates that a confirmed EGA handicap normally is a prerequisite for entry into anycompetition for which an EGA handicap is required at the discretion of the national association orhandicap authority. If the national association does not exercise that option or restricts it to nationalcompetitions,thehandicapauthoritycandirectthesamerequirementforclubcompetitions.Thehandicapauthoritymaygrantexceptionsforplayerstoparticipatewithnot-confirmedhandicapsincompetitionsinordertoreturnaqualifyingscoreprovidedtheyarenoteligibletowina(net)prize.
4.7.2 Doesascoreusedtoconfirmanot-confirmedEGAHandicapcountintheHR?
Yes,providedalltheotherrequirementsoftheHR-processhavebeenmet.
Thesedecisionsareonlycurrentatthetimeofpublication.TheHCRCmaypublish,ontheofficial
website,decisionsthatarisefromtimetotimesubsequenttopublication.www.ega-golf.ch
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Appendices
A. HandicapRecordSheet
B. HandicapReview(HR)Procedure
C. HandicapAllowanceinCompetitions
D. StrokeIndexRecommendation
E. PlayingHandicapTable
F. ListofExplanatoryNotesandGuidanceNotes
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APPENDIXA HANDICAPRECORDSHEET
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APPENDIXB HANDICAPREVIEWPROCEDURE
Forgeneral(introductory)informationonHandicapReview(HRinthisappendix),refertotheExplanatoryNoteonHandicapReviewinsection3.15.
Clause3.4.8requireshandicapcommitteesandnationalassociationstocarryoutaHRatleastonceayear,
typicallyattheendofeachplayingseason.TheprocedurehasnowbeenmodifiednotonlytoapplytotheHRprocessitself,butalsotootherhandicapcommitteedecisions(i.e.GeneralPlay,allotmentoffirsthandicap).
TheHRisanimportantadjuncttothehandicappingprocessandismandatoryforallplayers,inhandicap
categories1–5.TheHRwillonlyusescoresfromthelast12monthsoftheplayer’shandicaprecord.However,notallscoresfromwithinthetimeframeareeligibleforHR.Cancelledroundsaresuitableforhandicapreview.
9-holescores,however,mustbeincluded.Inordertocomparescorespostedfromdifferentsetsofteesandcourses,andtocomparethescoredirectly
againsttheEGAHandicap,allscoresmustbeportedtotheCourseofStandardRelativeDifficult(COSRD,acourse
withSR=113)).TheGrossDifferentialsofsuchacoursearefullycomparableagainsttheplayer’sEGAHandicapattherevisiondate.Onceallscoresarecomparable,theHRcalculatestheirmeanandstandarddeviation.With
thosetwometrics,thealgorithmwillyieldarangeofexpectedhandicap,whichistheplayer’shandicapexpected
handicaprange.Finally,thealgorithmwillprovideaproposedhandicap;however,theproposedhandicapwillneverbehigherorlowerthanthecurrentEGAHandicapplus/minus3strokes.
ELIGIBLESCORES
AllindividualqualifyingscoresareeligiblescoresforHR,withthefollowingexceptions:
− roundscancelledbythecommittee,
− NoReturn,
− DQwithoutscore,
− UNJQUIT
STANDARDGROSSDIFFERENTIAL(SGD)CALCULATION
1.-Foreveryeligibleroundover18holes,calculatetheSGDusingtheformula: SGD=EGAHcp+(ND*113/Slope)
WhereND=NetDifferential=36-Stablefordscore
2.-Foreveryeligibleroundover9holes,calculatetheSGDusingtheformula:
SGD=EGAHcp+(2*ND*113/Slope) WhereND=NetDifferential=18-Stablefordscore
RBGFwillincludetheSGDvalueintheHandicapRecordSheet.(Roundedtoawholenumber)
REVIEWPROCESS
1. Determineconfirmedhandicap/not-confirmedhandicap
Allhandicapsofplayerswhohavereturnedthreeorfewereligiblescoresareidentifiedasnot-confirmedandexcludedfromfurtheranalysisandareincludedinthenot-confirmedhandicapreport.
2.Identifyingplayerswith8ormoreeligiblescoresforinclusioninthereviewprocess
2.1 All players who have 8 or more eligible scores in the current review period are included in the reviewprocess i.e. if a playerhas returned20 scores in theperiod, all twenty are analyzed andnot just the lasteight.
2.2 Playerswith less than8eligiblescores in thereviewperiod. Interrogate thepreviousyear’seligiblescoresandselectsufficient(inchronologicalorderandwith latest first)number tobring the total in thecurrentanalysisto8.Allplayerswith8eligiblescoresafterthisprocessmustbeincludedinthereviewprocess.
2.3 Playerswithmorethanthreeeligiblescoresintheperiodofreviewbutwithlessthan8aftertheprocedurein2.2hasbeenappliedareexcludedfromfurtheranalysisandmustbelistedashavingconfirmedhandicapsbuttoofewscorestoanalyze.Newhandicapsarealsointhisgroup.
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3.RunReviewProcess
3.1. CalculatethemeanofallSGD(SGD)calculatedpreviously.3.2. CalculatetheStandardDeviation(Bessel'scorrected)ofalltheSGD(σSGD).3.3. CalculatetheDegreesofFreedom(DF)addingtothetotalnumberof18-holerounds,thenumberof9-hole
roundsdividedby2(0.5roundedup),andsubtract1: DF=N18+(N9/2)-1
Where:
DF:DegreesofFreedomN18:numberof18-holerounds
N9:numberof9-holerounds.
3.4. Calculatethefactorausingthetwotailst-Studenttable(1)foranerrorof0,01andtheDegreesofFreedom(DF)calculatedinthepreviouspoint.
3.5. Calculatethefactorbusingthetwotailst-Studenttable(1)foranerrorof0,05andtheDegreesofFreedom(DF)calculatedinthepreviouspoint.
3.6. CalculatetheupperandlowerestimatedSGDusingtheformulas:
uppereSGD=SGD+a*σSGD.
√(n+1)
lowereSGD=SGD-b*σSGD.
√(n+1)
3.7. ConvertbothupperandlowereSGDintoupperandlowerIndexlimitsusingtheformula:
upperINDEX=(uppereSGD-2.1)/1.13 lowerINDEX=(lowereSGD-2.1)/1.13
3.8. Iftheplayer'sEGAHandicapfallsbetweentheupperandlowerIndexlimits(lowerINDEX,upperINDEX)noadjustmentisneeded.
3.9. Iftheplayer'sEGAHandicapisbelowthelowerIndexlimit<lowerINDEX,suchlimitwillbetheReviewedHandicap.CalculatetheadjustmentbysubtractingtheReviewedHandicapfromtheEGAHandicap,roundingthepositivedifferenceuptothenextinteger(awayfromzero).
3.10. Iftheplayer'sEGAHandicapisabovetheupperlimit>upperINDEX,suchlimitwillbetheReviewedHandicap.CalculatetheadjustmentbysubtractingtheReviewedHandicapfromtheEGAHandicap,roundingthenegativedifferenceuptothenextinteger(towardszero).
3.11. Foreachhandicapcategorythefollowingmaximumadjustmentsmustbeapplied:
3.12. CalculatetheProposedHandicapaddingtotheEGAHandicaptheadjustmentcalculatedtakingintoaccountthemaximumadjustmentsprovidedintable3.11.
3.13. AnyplayerwhoseinitialEGAHandicapishigherthanthefinalEGAHandicapshouldnotbeadjustedupasaresultofHR.
HcpCategory 1 2 3 4 5
Maximum ±1 ±2 ±3 ±3 ±3
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4.GeneralHR-Report
TheprocedureshouldproduceanHR-reportofthegeneralformatdetailedbelow.
HandicapReviewReportClub/Authority TotalplayerscoveredbyreportPeriodofReport [from] [To] [numberofplayersreviewed]
Thefollowingplayersreturned3eligiblescoresorfewerandhandicapsaredesignatednot-confirmed
Player[list] handicapcategory gender
Thefollowingplayersdidnotreturn8eligiblescoresaggregatedover2years
andhandicapsaredesignatedconfirmedbutnotassessed
Player[list] handicapcategory gender EH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,EGAHcp≥upperINDEX+33.0decreasein
EGAHandicap(Cat3-5)applied(-2inCat2/-1inCat1)
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,EGAHcp≥upperINDEX+22.0decreasein
EGAHandicap(Cat2-5)applied(-1inCat1)
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,
EGAHcp≥upperINDEX+11.0decreaseinEGAHandicap(Cat1-5)
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,theirEGAHandicapisbetween
(lowerINDEX,upperINDEX)handicapsaredesignatedconfirmedbutnotchanged
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,
EGAHcp≤lowerINDEX-11.0increaseinEGAHandicap(Cat1-5)applied
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,
EGAHcp≤lowerINDEX-22.0increaseinEGAHandicap(Cat2-5)applied(+1inCat1)
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
Thefollowingplayershavereturned8ormoreeligiblescores,
EGAHcp≤lowerINDEX-33.0increaseinEGAHandicap(Cat3-5)applied(+2inCat2/+1inCat1)
Player[list] OldEH NewEH Player[list] OldEH NewEH
REVIEWRESULT
ThereviewprocesswillyieldthefollowinginformationintheplayersHcpHistoryunderAnnRev:
1. ExpectedHandicapRange:therangewheretheplayer’shandicapisexpectedtobeaccordingtothescores(SGD).Itisrepresentedbytherange(lowerINDEX,upperINDEX)
2. Whentheplayer’shandicapfallsoutoftheExpectedHandicapRangeanadjustmentisneeded.TheproposedcorrectionwillbeaccordingthedifferencebetweentheReviewedHandicapandtheActualHandicap.Thecorrectionwillberoundedandlimitedtothemaximumadjustment(categorydependent).
• ifplayer’shandicap<lowerINDEXtheReviewedHandicapwillbethelowerINDEX• ifplayer’shandicap>upperINDEX,theReviewedHandicapwillbetheupperINDEX
TheReviewedHandicapshouldbethehandicaptheplayershouldhaveaccordingtothescores(SGD).
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HOWTOREADTHERESULTS
Mosttimesthereviewprocesswillnotchangetheplayer’shandicapbecausethehandicapwillbeinsidethe
ExpectedHandicapRange.Someplayerswillhavehandicapsfallingoutsidetherange;theseplayersneedadifferenthandicap,theReviewedHandicap.
Inexceptionalcasestheplayer’shandicapwillbeveryfarfromtheExpectedHandicapRangeandtheProposed
Handicap(thefinalresultofthehandicapreview)willnotbethesamehandicapastheReviewedHandicap,
becauseofthemaximumadjustmentconstraintofHR.Insuchcases,thehandicapcommitteeshouldconsidertheplayerforfurtherinvestigation,takingintoaccounttheplayerdevelopment,namelyinnon-qualifying
competitionssuchasMatchPlayevents,ProAms,teamcompetitions,etc.Whenstudyingthiskindofplayers,the
ExpectedHandicapRangecanprovidethehandicapcommitteewithvaluableinformationaboutthegolfinglevel,inhandicappingterms,oftheplayer.Suchinformationmaybeconsideredtosupportageneralplayadjustment
toamendtheplayer’shandicap.
HRresultsmayalsobeusedforthepurposeofstudyingplayerswithanewlyallottedhandicap(seeGuidance
Noteinsection3.11).Whentheplayerhassubmittedatleast8eligiblescores,aHRisstronglyrecommended.HandicapcommitteescanusetheExpectedHandicapRangeandtheReviewedHandicaptosupportadecisionto
adjustaplayer’shandicaponthebasisofGeneralPlayinsuchcircumstances.
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FLOWCHARTREVIEWPROCESS
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APPENDIXC PLAYINGHANDICAPTABLE
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APPENDIXD HANDICAPALLOWANCEINCOMPETITIONS
1. PlayersCompetingfromDifferentTees;orMenandWomenCompetingfromtheSameTees
TheCourseRatingreflectstheplayingdifficultyofthegolfcourseforascratchgolfer.TheCourseRatingandtheSlope, togetheroneof thefoundationsof theEGAHandicapSystem, reflect theplayingdifficultyof thegolfcourseforplayerswithahandicapotherthanscratch.ThecoursewiththehigherCourseRatingismoredifficult.Whenplayerscompeteinthesamecompetition,butplayfromdifferenttees(menvs.women,butalsomenvs.menorwomenvs.women)orwhenmenandwomenplayfromthesametees,theplayerplay-ing fromthesetof teeswiththehigherCourseRating shouldreceiveadditionalhandicapstrokesequal tothedifferencebetweentheCourseRatings.However,theformulaoftheEGAPlayingHandicap(seeClause3.9.3)compensatesforthatdifferenceandautomaticallyadjuststheplayinghandicapsaccordingly.
DifferentteesmayalsohaveadifferentPar,butParisnotastandardofthedifficultyofagolfcourse.ParisonlyincludedintheformulaoftheplayinghandicapbecausetheEGAHandicapSystemisalsobasedonSta-blefordscoresforreasonsofstrokecontrol(seeEN:RelevanceofPar).Thismeansthat,instrokeplayandmatchplayhandicapcompetitions,whenplayerscompeteinthesamecompetitionbutplayfromdifferenttees,eachwithadifferentPar,theplayersplayingfromthesetofteeswiththehigherParreceiveadditionalstrokesequaltothePardifference.First,theplayinghandicapshouldbedeterminedandthentheadditionalstrokesareaddedtotheplayinghandicapoftheplayer(s)playingfromtheteeswiththehigherPar.
Example1:
If,inastrokeplayormatchplaycompetition,menplayingfromthemen’steeswheretheParis71competeagainstwomenplayingfromthewomen’steeswheretheParis72,thewomenmustaddonestroketotheirplayinghandicap.Note:Forhandicappingcalculationstheadditionalstroke(s)mustbedisregarded.
Example2:
Mrs.AandMr.Barepartnersinamixedfoursomecompetition(strokeplayormatchplayonly).Themenplayfromthemen’steeswheretheParis71andthewomenplayfromthewomen’steeswheretheParis72.Mrs.Ahasaplayinghandicapof21andMr.Bof7.Mrs.Amustaddonestroketoherplayinghandicap,soshewillplayoff22.Theplayinghandicapoftheteamis:
50%x(22+7)=29/2=14.5->roundedto15
If less than fullplayinghandicaps are recommended insuchcompetitions (e.g.Four-ball strokeplay), thepercentagereduction inplayinghandicapsmustalsoaffect theadjustment for thedifferencebetweenthePars.Thefollowingprocedureisrecommended:
1. Determinetheplayinghandicaps.
2. ApplytheadjustmentforthedifferenceinPars.
3. Applythehandicapallowancefortheappropriateformofplay(e.g.90%).
Example3:
InaFour-ballstrokeplaycompetition,themenplayfromthemen’steeswheretheParis71andthewomenplayfromthewomen’steeswheretheParis72.Mrs.Ahasaplayinghandicapof16.Thehandicapallow-anceforthiscompetitionis90%ofheradjustedplayinghandicap:90%x{16+(72-71)}=90%x17=15.3->roundedto15.
Example4:
Mrs.AandMr.Barepartnersinamixedgreensomescompetition(strokeplayormatchplay).Themenplayfromthemen’steeswheretheParis71andthewomenplayfromthewomen’steeswheretheParis72.Mr.Bhasaplayinghandicapof8andMrs.Aof21.
Therecommendedhandicapallowanceis60%ofthelowerhandicap+40%ofthehigherhandicap:
Mr.Breceives60%of8=4.8strokes.
Mrs.Areceives40%ofheradjustedplayinghandicap:40%x(21+1)=8.8strokes.
Theteamreceives4.8+8.8=13.6->roundedto14.
2. HandicapAllowances
TheEGArecommendsthatthefollowinghandicapallowancesapplyinthefollowingformsofplay.Anation-alassociationmayatitsdiscretionmaketherecommendationsmandatory.Thereferencetohandicapsinallcasesreferstoplayinghandicaps.
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2.1. MatchPlay
Handicapstrokesaretobetakenaccordingtothehandicapstrokeindex(seeClause3.9.7).
Singles:
Theplayerwiththehigherhandicapreceivesthefulldifferencebetweentheplayinghandicapsofthetwoplayers.
Foursomes:
Thesidewith thehighersumof theplayinghandicapsof thepartnersreceives50%of the fulldifferencebetweentheaggregatehandicapofeachside(0.5isroundedupwards).Example:Players A (playing handicap11) and B (playing handicap 18) play a foursomesmatch against Players C(playinghandicap6)andD(playinghandicap12)AandBreceive: 50%x[(11+18)-(6+12)]=50%x(29-18)= 50%x11=5.5->roundedupwards=6strokesNote:Inmixedfoursomesmatchplay,handicapstrokesaretakenasassignedonthehandicapstrokeindexformen.
Four-ball(Better-ball):
Theplayerwiththelowestplayinghandicap,whomustplayoffscratch,mustconcedehandicapstrokestothethreeotherplayersbasedon90%ofthedifferencebetweentheplayinghandicaps.Note: Inmixed four-ball match play, handicap strokes are taken as assigned on each player’s respectivehandicapstrokeindices.
Greensomes:
Thepartnerwiththelowerplayinghandicapreceives60%ofhisplayinghandicapandthepartnerwiththehigherplayinghandicapreceives40%ofhisplayinghandicap.Bothfiguresareaddedbeforerounding.Thefinalfigure(=theplayinghandicapoftheside)isrounded(0.5upwards).Thesidewiththehigherplayinghandicapreceivesthefulldifferencebetweenthehandicapsofthetwosides.If,intheaboveformats,play-ersplayfromdifferentteeswithadifferentPar,seeSection1inthisAppendix.
2.2. Bogey,ParandStablefordCompetitions
Handicapstrokesaretobetakenaccordingtothehandicapstrokeindex(seeClause3.9.7).
Singles:
Theplayerreceives100%ofhisplayinghandicap.
Foursomes:
Thesidereceives50%ofthesumoftheplayinghandicapsofthepartners(0.5roundedupwards).
Four-ball(Better-ball):
Eachpartnerreceives90%ofhisplayinghandicap.
Greensomes:
Thepartnerwiththelowerplayinghandicapreceives60%ofhisplayinghandicapandthepartnerwiththehigherplayinghandicapreceives40%ofhisplayinghandicap.Bothfiguresareaddedbeforerounding.Thisfinalfigure(=theplayinghandicapoftheside)isrounded(0.5upwards).Handicapstrokesaretobetakenaccordingtothehandicapstrokeindex.
Playerswitha“plus”handicapgiveoneormorestrokestothecourse,commencingatstrokeindex18.
Note1: Inamixedfoursomeorgreensomehandicapstrokesaretakenasassignedonthehandicapstrokeindexformen.
Note 2: In amixed four-ball handicap strokes are taken as assigned on the player’s respective handicapstrokeindices.
Intheaboveformats,whenplayerscompeteinthesamecompetitionbutplayfromdifferentteeswithadif-ferentPar,noextraadjustmentforthedifferenceinParswillbeappliedtotheirplayinghandicapssincetheformulaoftheplayinghandicap(seeClause3.9.3)compensatesforthatdifference.
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2.3. StrokePlay
Singles:
Theplayerreceives100%ofhisplayinghandicap.
Foursomes:
Thesidereceives50%ofthesumoftheplayinghandicapsofthepartners(0.5roundedupwards).
Four-ball(Better-ball):
Eachpartnerreceives90%ofhisplayinghandicap.
Handicapstrokesaretobetakenaccordingtothehandicapstrokeindex.
Inmixedfour-ballstrokeplay,handicapstrokesaretakenasassignedoneachplayer’srespectivehandicapstrokeindices.
Greensomes:
Thepartnerwiththelowerplayinghandicapreceives60%ofhisplayinghandicapandthepartnerwiththehigherplayinghandicapreceives40%ofhisplayinghandicap.Bothfiguresareaddedbeforerounding.Thefinalfigure(=theplayinghandicapoftheside)isrounded(0.5upwards).
Intheaboveformats,whenplayerscompeteinthesamecompetition,butplayfromdifferentteeswithadif-ferentPar,seeSection1ofthisAppendix.
Notes:
Note1:Handicapallowances inahandicapcompetitionmustbelaiddownbytheCommitteeinthecondi-tionsunderwhichthecompetitionistobeplayed(RulesofGolf,Rule33-1).Note2:Thecommitteeinchargeofacompetitiontobeplayedoveranextendedperiodmayprovide,intheconditionsofthetournament,thataplayer’sEGAHandicapmaybechangedduringacompetition.Note3:Inhandicapcompetitionsover36holes,handicapstrokesshouldbegivenortakenonabasisoftwo18-holerounds.Note 4: Hole-by-hole play-off. When extra holes are played in handicap competitions, handicap strokesshouldbetakeninaccordancewiththehandicapstrokeindex.Note5:Playerswitha“plus”handicapgiveoneormorestrokestothecourse,commencingatstrokeindex18.
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APPENDIXE HANDICAPSTROKEINDEXALLOCATION
RuleofGolf33-4requiresCommitteesto“Publishatableindicatingtheorderofholesatwhichhandicapstrokesaretobegivenorreceived”.To provide consistency at affiliated clubs, it is recommended that the allocation is made with the followingconsiderations:
• ItisanestablishedfactthatthestrokeindexallocationhasvirtuallynoinfluenceontheStablefordresultandthereforeonhandicapadjustments.
• Itisofparamountimportanceformatchplaythatthestrokestobereceivedatallhandicapdifferencesareevenlyspreadoverthe18holes.
• Thisisbestachievedbyallocatingtheoddnumberedstrokestothemoredifficultofthetwonineholes,usuallythelongestnine,andtheevennumberstotheothernine.
• ThedegreeofdifficultyofaholerelatedtoParisafactorforthesequenceofallocation.• ThedegreeofdifficultycanbederivedfromthebogeyratingorbycomparingtheaveragescoreofagroupofclubmemberstoPar.
• Trytoachieveonestrokeindextableforalltees,menandwomen.• TheplayerwhoistoreceivestrokeswillgenerallyneedhisequalizerstartingonthemostdifficultPar5andsubsequentlyonthemostdifficultPar4followedbytheotherPar5s.NextinorderarethePar4sandfinallythePar3s.
AverydifficultPar3maytakepriorityoveraPar4.DifficultholesaregenerallyaPar5notreachablein3oraPar4notreachablein2fortheaverageplayer.
Allocatingthestrokeindexnumberstotheholescouldbedoneinthefollowingway:• Splitthe18holesin6groupsof3;1,2,3then4.5.6etc• Strokeindex1to4notonholes1,2,3or16,17,18.• Theaggregateofthe6groupsofholesshouldbebetween27and30.• Ifindex1isallocatedtothefirstofthetwonineholes,index2shouldbeplacedinthesecond.• Alloddindicesonthefirstnineandallevenonthesecondnine,ortheotherwayround,ispreferred,alsoinviewofnine-holerounds.
• Avoidindex1to6onadjacentholes.
Example:Assignindex1tothemostdifficultof7,8,9.For9holes4,5,6.Assignindex2tothemostdifficultof13,14,15.Assignindex3tothemostdifficultof4,5,6.For9holes7,8,9.Assignindex4tothemostdifficultof10,11,12.Assignindex5tothemostdifficultof1,2,3.Assignindex6tothemostdifficultof16,17,18.Allocateindices7to12tothesixgroupsevenly,7doesnothavetofitingroup7,8,9.Allocateindices13to18inthesameway.Result:Holes1,2,3 Index5,7,15 Sum27Holes4,5,6 Index3,11,13 Sum27Holes7,8,9 Index1,9,17 Sum27Holes10,11,12 Index4,12,14 Sum30Holes13,14,15 Index2,10,18 Sum30Holes16,17,18 Index6,8,16 Sum30
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APPENDIXF LISTOFEXPLANATORYNOTESANDGUIDANCENOTES
Inorder toprovideenhancedexplanationandunderstandingand to facilitateacorrectapplicationof theEGAHandicap System, certain parts of the code in the manual have been supplemented with explanatory text(ExplanatoryNotes)andadvisorytext(GuidanceNotes)TheEGAHandicapSystem2012-2015containsthefollowingExplanatoryNotesandGuidanceNotes.ExplanatoryNote Manual
reference
PrinciplesofCourse-andSlopeRating 2.1
RelevanceofPar 2.5
ExtraDayScores(EDS)
Plushandicaps
3.8
3.9
9-holescores 3.9
Stableford 3.10
HandicapReview(HR) 3.15
GuidanceNote
Manual
reference
Preferredlies 2.6
Courseset-upandmaintenance 2.7
Purposeofauditoflowhandicapplayers 3.1
Thepurposeandcompositionofthehandicapcommittee 3.4Scoreusedincaseofdisqualification 3.6EncodingresultsinQualifyingCompetitions
3.6
Generalplayadjustments 3.16
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Index
Affiliatedclub[def]SeealsoHomeclub 11,14
Appointhandicapcommittee[clause3.3.4] 21Discretiontodirectconfirmedhandicaprequiredforcompetition[clause3.3.3] 21Membermorethanoneclub[clause3.5.2] 22Nationalassociationrequirementtosettledisputes[clause3.1.10] 20Resolutionofcomplaintsregardingapplicationofsystem[clauses3.1.16,3.3.5] 20,21Rightsandobligationsof[section3.3] 21
AllotmentofhandicapSeeHandicapallotment
AlterationofhandicapSeeHandicapalterationorHandicaps,annualreviewof
Appealprocedure
AffiliatedclubtoEGA[clause3.1.10] 20NationalAssociation[clause3.1.16] 20Playertonationalassociation[clauses3.1.16,3.3.5,3.16.6] 20,21,33
Awayscores
Conversionofscoresfromoutsidejurisdictionnationalassociation[clause3.6.1d,Dec4.3.1,4.3.2] 23,35Responsibilitytoreportawayscores[clause3.5.5] 22Responsibilitytoreduceownhandicap[clause3.5.7] 22
Bufferzone[def] 11
Adjustmentbufferzonefor9-holescore[clause3.12.11] 29Bufferzoneranges[def] 11Influenceonhandicapalterations[clause3.12.11] 29
CompetitionSeeQualifyingcompetition,Handicappingconditions
Computersinhandicapmaintenanceandcontrol
ObligationtouseHR[clause3.15.6] 31Requirementtoreturnscorecard[clause3.5.5] 22
Confirmedhandicap
Prerequisiteforentryintocompetition[clauses3.1.17,3.3.3,3.15.5] 20,21,31Requirementforconfirmedhandicap[clauses3.5.9,3.12.4] 22,28Confirminganot-confirmedhandicap[clauses3.8.4note2,3.12.7] 25,28
Countingcompetitions[def]Seealsoqualifyingcompetitions 11
Deliberatelyavoidinghandicapconditions[clause3.4.7] 21EncodingresultsinCountingCompetition[GNsection3.6] 24Qualifyingcompetition[def] 15Roundbecomesreductiononly[clause3.6.2] 23
CourseSeealsoHandicappingconditions,USGACourse&SlopeRating 11
Alterationtothecourse[sections2.3,2.7] 16,19Coloursandsetsoftees[section2.4] 16Coursesetupandmaintenance[GNsection2.7] 19Distancepoints[def,clause2.4.3] 17Measuring[section2.2] 16Permittedadjustments[section2.7] 19Preferredlies[GNsection2.6] 18Teemarkerplacement[clauses2.7.4,2.7.5] 19Temporarygreens[clause2.7.6] 19
Disqualifiedscore
Disqualifiedwith/withoutvalidscore[GNScoreusedincaseofDisqualification] 24
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EncodingresultsinQualifyingCompetitions[GNEncodingresultsinQC] 24
Electronicmeasuringdevices
StatusofEDSwhenLocalRulepermittinguse[Dec4.1.2] 34
EligibleScores[def] 13
Confirmedhandicap[def] 11Handicapreview[clause3.15.2,ENHandicapReview,App.B] 29,30,39Not-confirmedhandicap[def] 14Requirementforplayertoreturnasmuchscoresaspossible[clause3.5.9] 22
ExtraDayScores[def] 13
Categoriesapplicable[clause3.8.4] 25ExtraDayScore[section3.8] 25Limitationsinnumberdirectedbynationalassociation[clause3.8.2] 25Obligationofplayertorecordoncard[clause3.8.6] 25PurposeofEDS[ENsection3.8] 25Requirementsforregistrationdirectedbynationalassociation[clause3.8.5] 25Restrictionto(home)coursedirectedbynationalassociation[clause3.8.3] 25Restrictiontospecifichandicapcategoriesdirectedbynationalassociation[clause3.8.4] 25Statusofscorewhenplayerallowedtoplaybycommittee[Dec4.3.7] 36
GeneralPlayadjustments
Advisingplayerofadjustment[clause3.16.5] 33Category1tobereferredtonationalassociation[clause3.16.3] 32Evidencetosupportadjustment[clause3.16.4] 32GeneralPlayadjustment[GNsection3.16] 32
Handicapping
Policyandpurpose 8Systemoverview 9
HandicapadjustmentsseealsoHandicapalteration
AdjustmentrelatedtoscoresoutsideEGAjurisdiction[Dec4.3.2] 35AdjustmentafterNoReturn[GNEncodingresultsinQC] 24AdvisingplayersfollowingHRadjustment[clause3.15.6] 31AnnualHandicapReview(HR)[section3.15,App.C] 31,46ConsiderationsforGeneralPlayadjustment[clause3.16.4] 32ConversionofParcompetitionscore[clause3.10.5] 27GeneralPlayadjustment[GNsection3.16] 33Menandwomenplayfromsametees,differentPar[AppD] 48
Handicapadministration
RequirementtoapplyHR[clause3.15.1] 31Requirementtorecordscoresinchronologicalorder[clause3.4.4] 21RequirementtospecifyregistrationEDSprocedure[clause3.8.5] 25Responsibilityofhandicapcommittee[section3.4] 21Responsibilityofnationalassociation[section3.1] 20
Handicapallotment
Attainingahandicap[section3.11] 28Allotmentoflowerhandicapthancalculated[clause3.11.5GNsection3.11] 28Calculatingnewhandicap[clause3.11.3] 28Category1handicapallocation[clause3.14.3] 30Maximumhandicap[clause3.11.2] 28Notificationofprevioushandicap[clause3.4.5] 21
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Handicapallowance[def] 13
EGArecommendationsforformsofplay[AppD] 48Greensome[AppD] 48Handicapstrokesinhole-by-holeplay-off[AppDnote4] 50Nine-holeround[clause3.9.4] 26Roundingoffractionalstrokes[clause3.9.3] 25Roundingplushandicaps[clause3.9.3] 25Strokeindex[App.E] 51
HandicapalterationsseealsoHandicapadjustment
Bufferzonenoalteration[clauses3.12.8,3.12.11] 28,29Decreaseofexacthandicap[clauses3.12.10,3.12.11] 28,29Duringacompetitionovermorethanoneround[AppDnote3] 50Duringacompetitionoverextendedperiods[AppDnote2] 50IncreaseofEGAhandicap[clause3.12.9] 28Reductionintotolowercategory[clauses3.12.12,3.12.14,3.12.15] 29Requirementtoreturnfourcards[clause3.12.4] 28Responsibilityofplayertoreduceownhandicap[clause3.5.7] 22
Handicapcategory[def] 13
CategoriesallowedtoreturnEDS[3.8.2] 25Categoriesallowedtoreturn9-holescores[3.6.1.c] 23Handicapcategory,bufferzone,andhandicapadjustment[clause3.12.11] 29ReductionintolowercategorybyEDS[clauses3.8.8,3.12.14] 25,29Reductionintolowercategory[clause3.12.12] 29Reductionintolowercategorybasedon9-holescore[clause3.12.15] 29
Handicapcommittee[def] 13,21
Decidebeforecompetitionnon-qualifying[clause3.4.7] 21Discretiontoreducehandicapofawayplayerforsingleround[clause3.16.7] 35Procedureforsuspensionandrestoringhandicaps[clause3.4.6,sections3.13,3.14] 21,29,30RequirementtoconductHR[clause3.4.8,section3.15] 21,31Requirementtoprovidehandicaprecord[clause3.4.5] 21Responsibilitiesofcommittee[section3.4] 21
HandicapconditionsseealsoQualifyingcompetitions[def] 13
Handicapconditions[def] 13Periodofpreferredlies,handicappingconditions[clause2.6.1] 18MaintainCourseRatingvalues[GNsection2.7] 19
Teeplacement[clause2.7.4,GNsection2.7] 19Handicap
record
Contentofplayerhandicaprecord[clause3.12.3,App.A] 28,40Discretionofnationalassociationtoincludedata[clause3.12.3] 28Responsibilityofhandicapcommitteetomaintainrecord[clause3.4.3,3.4.4] 21,21
Handicappingauthority[def]SeeAffiliated/Homeclub 14
Handicaps,regainingrestoring
Followinglossorsuspension[clause3.14.2] 30Confirminganot-confirmedhandicap[clause3.12.7] 28
HandicapReviewofseealsoGeneralPlay[section3.16] 32
Confirmedhandicapprerequisiteforentryintocompetition[clause3.15.5] 31HandicapReviewprocedure[App.C] 43HandicapReview[ENsection3.15] 31Auditoflowhandicapplayers[clause3.1.18,GNsection3.1] 20Discretiontodirectconfirmedhandicapprerequisiteforcompetition[clause3.1.17,3.3.3,3.15.5] 20,21,31Markingconfirmedhandicaps[clause3.15.2,AppA] 31,40
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Requirementforconfirmedhandicap[clauses3.12.4,3.15.2] 28,31Confirminganot-confirmedhandicap[clause3.12.7] 28ResponsibilityofcommitteetocarryoutHR[clauses3.4.8,3.15.1] 21,31
Homeclubseealsoaffiliatedclub[def] 14,11
Changinghomeclub[clause3.5.3] 22Membermorethanoneclubs[clause3.5.2] 22
Whetherplayermayhavetwohomeclubs[Dec4.2.3]
35IncompletecardsseealsoNoReturn
Responsibilitytoreturnallcards[clause3.5.5] 22
License
CourseRatingUSGA[clauses2.1.2,3.1.5] 16,20EGAHandicapSystem[EGAHandicapPolicy] 8
Lossofhandicap
Lossofhandicap[clause3.13.10] 29Regainingsuspendedorlosthandicap[clauses3.14.2,3.14.3] 30,30Suspensionofhandicap[section3.13] 29
Matchplay
Handicapallowanceformatchplay[AppD] 48Matchplayperformance,considerationingeneralplay[clause3.16.4] 32Recommendationforhandicapstrokeindex[AppE] 51
MemberSeePlayer
MixedeventsSeeAppD. 48
Nineholescore
Adjusted9-scoreforhandicapping[clause3.10.3] 27Onlyone9-holescoreperday[clause3.6.1c] 23
NoReturn(NR)[def] 14
AdjustmentofNRscoresforhandicappin[GNEncodingresultsinQC] 24ConsequenceoffailuretoreportEDS[clause3.8.7] 25IncreaseofhandicapresultingfromNR[clauses3.10.2,3.12.9] 27,28NoReturn[def] 14OnlyadjustedNRscoresmaycountinrequirementoffour[clause3.15.2] 31RequirementtoreportNR[clause3.5.5] 22
Non-qualifyingscoresSeealsoqualifyingscores
EncodingresultsinQualifyingCompetitions[GNEncodingresultsinQC] 24Scoresinnon-qualifyingcompetitions[clause3.16.4] 32Scoresarenotqualifyingscores[clause3.6.3] 23
Not-confirmedhandicap[def] 14
Markingannot-confirmedhandicap[clause3.12.3,AppA] 28,40Confirminganot-confirmedhandicap[clauses3.8.4note2,3.12.7] 25,28
Par
EstablishingPar[section2.5] 17ConversionofPar/BogeyscorestoStableford[clause3.10.5] 27Parnotameasureofdifficulty[ENsection2.5] 17ScoringagainstPar,Stablefordsystem[section3.10] 27
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Player
Confirmedhandicapprerequisiteforentrycompetition[clauses3.1.17,3.3.3,3.15.5] 20,21,31Appealincaseofunresolvedissue[clauses3.1.15,3.3.5,3.16.6] 20,21,33Changinghomeclub[clause3.5.3] 22Complywithrequirementsforconfirmedhandicap[clause3.5.9] 22EnterEGAhandicaponscorecard[clause3.5.8,Dec4.5.3] 22,38Haveonehandicaponly[clause3.5.1] 22Playerhandicaprecord[AppA] 40Priortocompetitionascertainhandicapproperlyadjusted[clause3.5.6] 22Reportallqualifyingawayscorestohomeclub[clause3.5.5] 22Responsibilitiesoftheplayer[section3.5] 22Responsibilitytoreduceorincreaseownhandicap[clause3.5.7] 22Returnallqualifyingscores[clause3.5.5] 22
Play-off
Handicapstrokesinhole–by-holeplay-off[note4AppD] 48
Plushandicaps
Auditingplushandicaps[clause3.1.18] 20Roundingplushandicaps[clause3.9.3] 25Strokeindex,strokesconcededtocourse[clause3.9.2] 25
Preferredlies
Localrulerequired[clause2.6.2] 18Periodofpreferredlies,handicapcondition[def,clause2.6.1] 14,18Permissionrequiredforextensionofperiod[clause2.6.1] 18Preferredlies[GNsection2.6] 18
Qualifyingcompetitions[def]Seealsohandicapconditions 15
Adjustmentmeasuredcourse[section2.7] 17Aggregatecompetitions[clause3.6.2e] 23Alterationtothecourse[section2.3] 16Competition,formsofplayhandicapaddconditions[def] 13Deliberatelyavoidinghandicapconditions[clause3.4.7] 21Prerequisiteforentry[clauses3.1.17,3.3.3,3.15.5] 20,21,31Qualifyingcompetition[def] 15Strokesallowedatplay-off[AppDnote4] 50Teeplacement[clause2.7.4,GNsection2.7] 19
Qualifyingscores[def] 15
Awayscorestobereportedbyplayer[clause3.5.5] 22Disqualifiedwith/withoutvalidscore[GNScoreusedincaseofDisqualification] 24EncodingresultsinQualifyingCompetitions[GNEncodingresultsinQC] 24Eclecticoraggregatecompetitions[clause3.6.2e,Dec4.1.6] 23,33ExtraDayScores[def] 13Nineholescoresadjustment[clause3.10.3] 27NoReturns[clauses3.6.2f,3.2.6g] 23Qualifyingscores[def] 15Requirementtorecordinchronologicalorder[clause3.12.2] 28Recordqualifyingscoreassoonaspossible[clause3.4.4] 21ScoresfromoutsideEGAjurisdiction[clause3.6.1.d,] 23Scorestoberecordedinplayerhandicaprecord[clause3.12.3,AppA] 28,40Scoresfromnon-qualifyingcompetitions[clause3.16.4] 32
Records
Clubresponsibilitytomaintainhandicaprecord[clause3.3.6] 21Playerhandicaprecord[AppA] 40
ReductionOnly
Cancelledcompetition[clause3.6.2.a,3.7.8] 23
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Reportingscores
Consequenceoffailuretoreportallawayscores[clause3.13.2] 29Playerresponsibilitytoreport:–awayscores[clause3.5.5] 22–noreturns[clause3.5.5] 22Confirminghandicapscoresrequired[clause3.12.7] 28
ScoresSeequalifyingscores
Stableford
Adjustmentofnine-holescore[clause3.10.3] 27CompensationforCR-Par[ENsection3.10] 27ConversionofPar/Bogeyscore[clause3.10.5] 27Purposeofforstrokecontrol[ENsection3.10] 27Stablefordcalculation[section3.10] 27
Strokeindex
Allowingstrokesplushandicap[clause3.9.2] 25Influenceofstrokeindexonhandicap[AppE] 51Methodrecommendedforallocation[AppE] 51Strokestakenin9-holeround[clause3.9.7] 26
Suspensionofhandicap
Appealprocedure[clause3.16.6] 33Circumstancesleadingtosuspensionorloss[clauses3.13.1,3.13.2] 29Notificationof[clause3.13.3] 29Restorationofhandicap[section3.14] 30Suspensionandlossofhandicap[section3.13] 29
Tees
Distancepoint[def] 12Locationofdistancepoint[clause2.4.3] 17Locationofteemarkers[clause2.7.5] 19Maintainingratingconditions[GNsection2.7] 19Recommendedcoloursforteemarkers[clause2.4.2] 17Temporarytees[clause2.7.4] 19
USGACourse&SlopeRating
PrinciplesofUSGACourseandSloperating[ENsection2.1] 16