CONGU Unified Handicapping 2008-2011 and Scratch Score
The CONGU Unified Handicapping System was introduced on 1 February 2004 by the Council of National Golf Unions. EWGA and the EGU administer and manage the scheme in England for members of their affiliated clubs.
The new CONGU manual is the result of substantial voluntary work by the Council Members over the last four years, having taken into account comments, concerns and feedback received. The purpose of the CONGU UHS is to enable golfers of differing abilities, men and ladies alike, to compete on a fair and equitable basis. Handicapping is not an exact operation but a high level of uniformity can be achieved if all parties honour their obligation by observing the spirit of the system. It is against the spirit and intent of the system to adjust the terms and conditions of a competition deliberately, so that it is rendered non-qualifying on a technicality.
New concepts included are Supplementary Scores, Nine Hole Qualifying Competitions, Review of Handicap (Annual Review and General Play)
Separate CSS calculation for "Home and Away" players in Open Competitions and Handicaps for players with disabilities.
General
1) Directions and Decisions appropriate to EWGA/EGU now included in the manual. Identified by grey shaded clause numbers
2) Decisions are listed at the end of each clause
3) Explanations are included in clauses in blue shaded areas
4) FAQ's relevant to clauses are in blue shaded boxes
5) Detailed Index
A Brief Guide to CONGU Handicapping
A player’s Exact Handicap is her handicap calculated to one decimal place.
A player’s Playing Handicap is her Exact Handicap calculated to the nearest whole number (0.5 is rounded upwards). The Buffer Zone is the margin within which an exact handicap remains unchanged.
Handicaps are divided into the following categories, each with a Buffer Zone.
Category 1: Handicaps 5 or less Buffer Zone 0 to +1
Category 2: Handicaps of 6 to 12 Buffer Zone 0 to +2
Category 3: Handicaps of 13 to 20 Buffer Zone 0 to +3
Category 4: Handicaps of 21 to 28 Buffer Zone 0 to +4
Category 5: Handicaps of 29 to 36 Buffer Zone 0 to +5
A Qualifying Competition is any competition in which Medal Play Conditions prevail and a CSS is calculated, subject to restrictions and limitations contained in the Scheme or imposed by the Union. A Qualifying Score is any score including a “no return” returned in a Qualifying Competition.
The Nett Differential is the difference (+ or -) between the nett score returned in a Qualifying Competition and the CSS after the application of Clause 19.1.
The Standard Scratch Score (SSS) is the score allotted to an 18 hole golf course and is the score that a scratch player is expected to return in ideal conditions over a measured course.
The Competition Scratch Score (CSS) is the adjustment that may be necessary to the SSS to take account of weather and course conditions and must be calculated for all Qualifying Competitions.
Clause 19.1
All holes completed – the players Nett Differential is reduced by the number of strokes taken on any hole in excess of nett double bogey.
Holes with no score recorded – A score of nett double bogey is entered.
Alteration of Handicaps
If a player after the application of Clause 19.1 returns a score with a nett differential
- Within the Buffer Zone the handicap is not changed.
- Above the Buffer Zone or records a “no return” the exact handicap is increased by 0.1.
- Of less than zero the Exact Handicap is reduced by an amount per stroke being determined by the Handicap Category as follows:
Category 1 = 0.1
Category 2 = 0.2
Category 3 = 0.3
Category 4 = 0.4
Category 5 = 0.5
The Player’s Responsibilities
- Must only have one handicap issued and maintained by the Home Club and which is applicable at all other Clubs.
- If a member of more than one Club, nominate one as their Home Club and notify all other Clubs at which they are a member. It is recommended that that the player should select as their Home Club, the Club at which they compete most frequently in Qualifying Competitions
- Ensure all competitions cards are returned to the organising committee and make such computer entries as may be required
- Report all qualifying scores, including 'No-Returns' returned away from the Home Club advising of the date, venue, CSS and gross score. Scorecards MUST be returned for any Stableford/Nett Double Bogey Adjustment that may be applicable.
- Prior to competing in any competition at a Club other than their Home Club ensure that the appropriate reduction in playing Handicap has been made (Clause 20.11)
Copies of the CONGU UHS 2008-2011 Manuals are available from the EWGA office at £4.00 per copy.
