Unified Handicapping -System in detail
Unified Handicapping -System in detail
4. Rights and Responsibilities of the Union
CONGU® has delegated to the Union the responsibility to monitor and maintain the application of the UHS in all Affiliated Clubs under its jurisdiction.
4.1 The Union has overall jurisdiction over the administration of the UHS and may delegate any part of that jurisdiction to an Area Authority.
To discharge its responsibilities the Union must:
- (a) Appoint a Committee to administer the UHS.
- (b) Have policies for the administration of handicapping that are consistent with the fundamental principles and regulations of the UHS as outlined below and with the Rules of Golf as approved by R&A Rules Limited.
- (c) Have a policy to ensure that all Affiliated Clubs discharge their responsibilities under Clause 6.2.
- (d) Establish a procedure to adjudicate upon the provisions of Clause 24 and when required appoint a Committee to perform the duties therein.
- (e) Specify the appeal procedure to be made available to Members dissatisfied with the determination made by the Union pursuant to Clause 24.
- (f) At its discretion, settle any dispute referred to it under the UHS, subject to clause 3.7.
- (g) Establish within the Union conditions, restrictions and limitations to be imposed in respect of competitions deemed to be Qualifying Competitions and produce a list that must be reviewed and published annually – see also Clause 17.2(f).
- (h) Specify the obligations to be observed by clubs and players in respect of a National Handicap Database.
- (i) Conduct an annual audit of the handicap records of Members of Affiliated Clubs with, as a minimum, a handicap of +1 [1] or better.
- (j) Establish a Competition Scratch Score for each round of every Qualifying Competition they organise.
Purpose of Audit As Required By Clause 4.1(i)
The primary purpose of the audit of low handicap players is to provide assurance that handicap records have been maintained in accordance with the UHS and that 'Away' scores have been reported by players as required by Clause 8.10. To facilitate the audit member clubs are required by the Union to return at the end of the competition season, the Handicap Record (as outlined in Appendix I) for all Members with, as a minimum requirement, a Playing Handicap of +1 [1] or better.
The audit is based on the comparison of these Handicap Records with the official scores from a wide range of 'scratch' competitions.
Past experience has established that a number of players failed to report all scores recorded away from their Home Club. Regrettably, the majority of such 'omissions' were scores that would have attracted an increase in handicap. The outcome is that players with scores omitted from their record have a handicap lower than that to which they are entitled. This can have an important bearing on entry into prestigious competitions. By auditing, Unions can better assure 'a level playing field' and not place those players who honour their obligations in full at a disadvantage.
Since auditing was introduced it is the experience of the Unions that compliance with the UHS requirements has improved very significantly.
An additional benefit of the audit is in the selection of teams and coaching squads where emerging talent is identified where not already known.
4.2 The Union has responsibility for the assessment and allocation of Standard Scratch Scores in accordance with the requirements of Clause 9. In addition, it must:
- (a) Ensure that Standard Scratch Scores are re-assessed at prescribed intervals or in accordance with licence agreements where appropriate.
- (b) Determine the manner by which temporary or provisional Standard Scratch Scores are allocated.
4.3 The Union has the right, at any time, to obtain information concerning a Member's handicap from an Affiliated Club or, at its discretion, directly from the Member.
4.4 When a player is a Member of more than one golf club and these clubs are affiliated to different Unions, a Union may request information in regard to handicapping matters from another Union or, with the prior approval of that Union, directly from the player or his Affiliated Club.
The Union may at its discretion:
- 4.5 (a) Authorise Home Clubs to increase the handicaps of players in any of the Categories 2, 3, 4 [and 5] in accordance with Clause 23. When such authority has been given, the requirements of Clauses 23.3 and 23.4 that the increase shall be effected by the Union or Area Authority shall not apply. If the Union or Area Authority considers that handicaps have been unjustifiably increased it may require the Home Club to comply with all of the provisions of Clause 23.
- (b) Require a player to return to his Home Club information regarding scores in Non Qualifying Competitions as provided by Clause 8.12.
- (c) Restrict increases of Exact Handicaps to a maximum of 2.0 strokes in a calendar year as provided by Clause 20.10.
- (d) Direct that the provisions of Clause 25 shall apply.