Unified Handicapping -System in detail
Unified Handicapping -System in detail
16. Allotment of Handicaps
16.1 A handicap can be allotted only to a Member of an Affiliated Club and after full consideration of his previous playing history, including any handicap held previously at any other club or under another handicap system.
16.2 To obtain a handicap a player must submit such number of cards over 18 holes in such manner as his Home Club requires, but not less than three, at his Home Club (preferably over a Measured Course) each of which must be marked and signed by a responsible person acceptable to the Handicap Committee. These cards should normally be submitted within a period of six months.
16.3 The Handicap Committee has the following responsibilities and discretions in regard to the allotment of handicaps.
- (a) When reviewing the submitted cards, any score of more than 2 over Par for men and 3 over Par for ladies at any hole must be amended to 2 [3] over Par respectively. After these adjustments have been made an Exact Handicap shall be allotted equivalent to the number of strokes by which the best of the submitted rounds differs from the Standard Scratch Score. The player's Playing Handicap shall equal the Exact Handicap allotted.
- (b) The Handicap Committee may allot a player an initial whole number Exact Handicap less than the best adjusted score if it has reason to consider that a lower handicap is more appropriate to the player's ability. In exceptional circumstances a higher handicap may be allotted than that indicated by the best adjusted score.
- (c) When a player fails to return cards to justify an Exact Handicap of 28.0 [36.0] he may, at the discretion of the Handicap Committee, be given an Exact Handicap of 28.0 [36.0].
- (d) An Affiliated Club may, at its absolute discretion, refuse to allot a handicap until a playing standard determined by the Affiliated Club has been attained.
- (e) If a handicap has been previously held, refer to Clause 26 (Regaining a Handicap).
- (f) A player must not be allotted a Category 1 handicap without the written authority of the Union or Area Authority if so delegated.
16.4 The maximum handicap that can be allotted is 28 for men and 36 for ladies. (Maximum Exact Handicap 28.0 [36.0].)
In the context of the UHS the 'Affiliated Club' is the club affiliated to a Union/Area Authority which pays to that Union/Area Authority a specified per capita fee in respect of each eligible Member i.e. a golf club may have more than one 'Affiliated Club', one affiliated to a Ladies' Union and another affiliated to the Men's Union in that country.
If a golf club has more than one Affiliated Club and more than one Handicap Committee (Clause 6.3) they, the Affiliated Clubs/Handicap Committees, should seek to agree common criteria for the allotment and review of handicaps.
16.3/1 Allotment of Handicap Lower Than That Calculated
Q. In what circumstances can a club allocate a handicap lower than that calculated by Clause 16.3?
A. The Handicap Committee may allot an initial whole number Exact Handicap less than the best adjusted score if it has reason to consider that a lower handicap is more appropriate to the player's ability. Factors to be considered include:
- Previous playing history and any lower handicap previously held at the Home Club or at any other club. This is of paramount importance.
- Time of year and prevailing weather conditions when cards submitted.
- Information from peers.
- A handicap held under another handicapping system.