The European Golf Association on: Playing to the Rules of Golf World Handicap Meeting Far Hills, USA 23 May, 2013

Playing to the RoG Governing bodies: “RoG basic premise” Rules and Handicap – defining features of golf Playing to the RoG not major problem Players make an effort in competitions/handicap purposes WWH should encourage strict adherence to RoG; but ultimately players’ responsibility Casual/social/EDS-rounds: announcement crucial to commit players to RoG If WWH assumes score is attested, then positive peer pressure

RoG on holing out? Individual stroke play vs. match play, fourball, and Stableford Not holing out often in accordance with RoG, not essentially RoG-issue Key: hcp system requirement to estbl. score; features in place to accommodate EGA/CONGU view: whatever feature is used in WWH, make it maximally prescriptive

Dq-scores and handicapping

Dq-scores and handicapping Rule number USGA EGA CONGU GA 3-2 A NA 3-3 6-2b 6-6b 6-6d NA/A 7-1   A/NA 11-4 15-3b 20-7c 1-2 1-3 3-4 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 4-4c 5-1 5-2 6-3 6-4 6-7 6-8 11-1 14-3 22-1 33-7 Generalizations – conditions apply!

Dq-scores and handicapping Accept dq-scores for handicap purposes in WWH Technical breaches irrelevant for playing ability Little room for manipulation Well-established Agreement needed on which dq-scores are acceptable? DO NOT accept dq-scores for handicap purposes in WWH Counterintuitive Added complexity, decisions necessary Few scores Limited effect Potential manipulation (but flagging mechanisms)

Discussion