Inactive handicap system is scrapped

Emma Williams
By Emma Williams February 6, 2014 11:17

The controversial England Golf system that meant some golfers had an ‘inactive handicap’ has been scrapped.

Since 2010 all members of all golf clubs affiliated to England Golf have had to submit at least three scores per year from club competitions in order to have an ‘active handicap’. Those that failed to submit at least three have been given an inactive handicap, which has carried penalties such as the prevention from entering some competitions and restrictions on prizes.

England Golf said this was the fairest way to ensure that golfers’ handicaps were a true a reflection of their ability, but one in ten golf club managers said they had lost members purely as a result of the system preventing golfers from entering events that require an active handicap to participate in. Part of the problem was that many golfers and clubs incorrectly thought their handicaps were invalid because they were labeled ‘inactive’.

England Golf has therefore agreed that the word ‘inactive’ is too unpopular, and will change the system so that, from March 1, golfers will have a ‘competition handicap’ based on the Scottish and Welsh systems.

“England Golf recognises that the annotation of ‘i’ – inactive – has proved to be unpopular,” said a statement.

“However, many clubs and organisations seek to encourage golfers to play a sufficient number of qualifying competitions to ensure that they hold an accurate handicap. For that reason, England Golf will join with the Scottish and Welsh unions in using the ‘c’ annotation to denote a competition handicap and the ‘i’ annotation will no longer appear.

“Every affiliated member who has been allocated a CONGU handicap retains a valid handicap, whether denoted as a competition handicap or not.

“The ‘i’ annotation may still appear until clubs receive the update from their software provider.”

Golfers will still have to complete three qualifying scores a year in order to get the new handicap.

 

Emma Williams
By Emma Williams February 6, 2014 11:17
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10 Comments

  1. Craig May 9, 08:06

    its not the name that was daft it was the principle. CONGU should not interfere in eh way golf clubs chose to run their competitions. Its none of their business

    Reply to this comment
  2. dot campbell February 12, 12:08

    pathetic response by congu, lets cow tow to the minority, if the i golfers dont like it then they only have to play 3 times to get rid of it !!!

    Reply to this comment
  3. @Carolebythesea February 7, 10:23

    Inactive handicap system is scrapped » Golf Club Management http://t.co/yuFmEhqwUS

    Reply to this comment
  4. Shona Malcolm (@screel12) February 7, 05:54

    Inactive handicap system is scrapped » Golf Club Management http://t.co/MF7jS56Yxf

    Reply to this comment
  5. @HillingdonGolf February 6, 20:57

    Inactive handicap system is scrapped » Golf Club Management http://t.co/a9VPCLeYC7

    Reply to this comment
  6. @NelsonProShop February 6, 18:46

    Inactive handicap system is scrapped » Golf Club Management http://t.co/eIBRf9xGje

    Reply to this comment
  7. Graham Bradley February 6, 17:58

    Thank goodness for that! No more “inactive” the most negative word associated with golf when we all need the positive element…….just three cards and you are competitive. Does anybody hold a competition just for non competitive golfers? Might attract a few more who at least feel there is something for them and a good way to entice players to get the cards in.

    Reply to this comment
  8. John Crowson February 6, 14:24

    They still wont be allowed to play because they wont have a competition handicap – semantics !

    Reply to this comment
  9. @ElyGolf February 6, 13:07

    England Golf and CONGU scrap ‘Inactive Handicaps’

    Reply to this comment
  10. 19th Hole Social (@19th_holesocial) February 6, 11:35

    The controversial England Golf system that meant some golfers had an ‘inactive handicap’ has been scrapped.

    The… http://t.co/mAf9L0OI6o

    Reply to this comment
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