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Somerset Ladies’ County Golf Association

Handicaps

NOTES from the Handicap Secretaries’ meeting can be downloaded and printed from here

INACTIVE HANDICAPS – THE FULL STORY
On January 1st 2010 some people will find that their handicap has become inactive. CONGU handicap certificates issued after then will confirm this inactive status with an ”i” suffix to the numeric handicap. So why is all this happening, what difference will it make to the individual player and what can be done to return to being active?

The first thing to remember is that an “i” handicap is still a CONGU handicap; it has NOT lapsed. It is there to draw attention to the fact that the player has not done 3 recent qualifying scores. In particular, it gives the organisers of competitions the opportunity to insist on evidence of an up-to-date handicap. It will never affect the average player who plays in competitions regularly.
pauline360

SLCGA Acting Handicap Advisor
 Pauline Thorogood

EMAILS
Message from Pauline - ‘I always respond to emails within one day so if you don’t hear from me, please resend the email’.

So what difference will having an inactive handicap make?
You will not be able to compete in any EWGA Medal.
Your club should give you every chance to play in other qualifying competitions.
Your club will probably not restrict your play in informal competitions.
Away clubs are likely to restrict your entry – always check the competition conditions.   
You may not be allowed to represent your club in matches.

How can I lose my “i”?
As soon as you have done three qualifying cards in 2010, your handicap will become active. Your cards can be in qualifying competitions (over 18 or 9 holes) or Supplementary Scores; your Handicap Secretary will explain what these are (very similar to extra-day cards). Once you have done these three cards, your handicap will be active for 2010 and 2011 (unless the required number of cards is increased, which is a distinct possibility).

Is there anything I can still do in 2009 to avoid getting an “i” in 2010?
Yes, yes and yes! Just make sure you have done three qualifying cards before January 1st and you’ll be OK. If you are a new golfer and got your first handicap in 2009 then you don’t need to do three more cards. If you have been ill or injured then there are exceptions – just ask your Handicap Secretary. Do remember though that if you have only done 1 or 2 cards in 2009 these cannot be carried forward to 2010; unfortunately you will have to start all over again.

You may find that your club has other restrictions on who can enter internal competitions, win trophies or represent the club. (e.g. you must do 4 Medals before date of competition etc etc)  These club rules are completely separate from those for active/inactive handicaps but are, unfortunately, yet another thing to keep in mind.

If anyone has any queries about all this, or indeed anything about handicaps in general, please get in touch by email: hndcps@somersetladiesgolf.org.uk    Downloadable version here
Pauline

OTHER INFORMATION
For EWGA information re Active/Inactive handicaps please click here
For EWGA medals 2009 onwards (Feb 2009 update) please click here
For EWGA medal conditions, please click here
For EWGA - handicap FAQs, please click here
For CONGU - FAQs, please click here

www.somersetladiesgolf.org.uk