Global Handicap System Acceptable / Unacceptable Scores

Relevant Principles Review handicaps based on sufficient evidence of a player’s ability (Principle 4) Emphasise the importance of playing in accordance with the Rules (Principle 5) Incorporate an element of flexibility or choice to reflect different cultures (Principle 7) Be easy to understand and apply by golf clubs and golfing public (Principle 8)

Overview of formats currently acceptable under one or more of existing Systems

Foursomes Formats, including derivatives

"Reduction only" Scores Competitions outside the USGA Handicap System which: are abandoned restrict the type or number of clubs are corporate/trade day events result in the Playing Conditions Adjustment mechanism being disabled Note: The treatment of 4-ball stroke play scores under the GA System appears to be "reduction only"?

USGA System Vast majority of scores result from casual/social rounds. Essentially, all scores count provided: (a)Round is played during an ‘active’ season; and (b)Round is played over course with USGA Course and Slope Rating.

Explicit Exceptions: Less than 13 holes played in an 18 hole round; Rounds where player restricted in choice or number of clubs; Player uses non-conforming club, ball or tee; Player uses artificial device or unusual equipment in breach of Rule 14-3; Play clearly not in accordance with “Principles of Rules of Golf”.

Questions / Issues: Scores from certain formats seem unsuitable for handicapping purposes; “Principles of Rules of Golf” vs “Rules of Golf”; Holes not played and holes started but not completed; Attestation vs Self-certification; Score may still count even if player is disqualified; Day to day changes in playing conditions disregarded.

Other Systems Essentially, only scores from singles competitions count. Main Exceptions: Four-Ball stroke play competition scores are also acceptable under the Golf Australia system. Extra Day or Supplementary scores are permitted in some circumstances.

Questions / Issues: Excluding Australia, competition scores often comprise a tiny proportion of all rounds played; Score may still count even if player is disqualified; Certain scores permitted on “reduction only” basis or from odd forms of competition; Adjustment for playing conditions not always applied to acceptable scores; Treatment of 9-hole scores.

“The biggest problem in maintaining handicaps which reflect a player’s current ability is the number of scores for handicap consideration (per annum). The higher the number of scores the better the confidence that the handicap reflects the player’s ability.”

Summary of Concerns (All Systems) Handicaps throughout the world are currently based on scores produced under different conditions and from different formats; In Europe (including GB & I), the quantity of evidence produced for handicapping purposes is a concern – despite plenty of rounds played; In the US, the quality of evidence is a concern for some outsiders - solo rounds, self-certification and play governed by “Principles” of Rules of Golf.

High Quantity High Quality Low Quality Low Quantity

High Quantity High Quality Low Quality Low Quantity  Scores from USGA System  Scores from CONGU/ EGA Systems

High Quantity High Quality Low Quality Low Quantity  Scores from USGA System  Scores from CONGU/ EGA Systems

Basic Conditions for Acceptable Score Proposals: Score produced from a round played: o under any format on Authorised List; o over course which is rated using USGA Couse Rating System; and o longer than minimum required length. Round played in ‘active’ season. Type or number of clubs not restricted.

Basic Conditions for Acceptable Score Proposals: Attestation obtained in some acceptable form; Round played in accordance with the Rules of Golf, except where there is specific provision within the system to proceed outside the Rules for handicapping purposes (e.g. most likely score).

Scoring Record: All acceptable scores to be treated equally within the scoring record (i.e. to be of equal importance) No limit imposed on proportion of any particular format within player’s scoring record or, say, number of “away” scores.

Unacceptable Scores A score is unacceptable if it results from: Format specifically not authorised for use at player’s home club; round played during “inactive” season; Any form of Foursomes; Texas Scramble or other ‘fun’ format, where Rules of Golf are clearly set aside; Solo rounds, rounds where player is being coached or is practising (e.g. playing more than one ball); Sudden-death or other short-form play-off; A round at the start of which the player does not intend to complete 9 or 18 holes; ?A round when the player is disqualified; ?An event run by an organisation not suitably qualified to do so. Or if it has inadequate attestation/corroboration.

Framework of Authorised Formats

Factors affecting choice of Authorised Formats: Golfing culture; Quality and quantity of scores to be posted; and Confidence of golfing public.

Baseline approach within Authorised Formats: Players are expected: o To return or post a score o To play by the Rules o To play all the holes they set out to play (9 or 18) An adjustment for playing conditions will be made. An acceptable form of attestation will be obtained. A score does not count if the player is disqualified.

Discretionary Elements The formats used for handicapping purposes. Within those formats, treatment / acceptability of: o Holes not played; and o Holes started but not completed. ?Form of Attestation. (Form of) Pre-registration required for score to count. Use of score if player disqualified.

Matrix of Discretionary Elements Score acceptable even though: Form(s) of Pre- registration (casual golf) Form of Attestation (casual golf) One or more holes not played One or more holes started, not completed Player Disqualified

Matrix of Discretionary Elements Score acceptable even though: Form(s) of Pre- registration (casual golf) Form of Attestation (casual golf) One or more holes not played One or more holes started, not completed Player Disqualified Singles stroke play Singles Stableford and par Four-ball Better Ball / Aggregate Score stroke play / Stableford and par Four-ball Better ball / Aggregate Score Four-ball match play Singles or three-ball match play

Matrix of Discretionary Elements Score acceptable even though: One or more holes not played One or more holes started, not completed Format options: Competition match play -Singles -Four-ball Casual match play -Singles -Four-ball Competition stroke play -Singles -Four-ball Casual stroke play -Singles -Four-ball

Examples of Menu in Operation 1.Texas State Authority authorises all formats on the list, excl. 9-hole match play formats. Scores are expected to be posted without exception. Any stroke play score is acceptable provided all 9 or 18 holes are played. Most Likely Score concept is used for holes not completed. All scores to be supported by min. one scorecard per group. Scores from rounds when player DQ'd not acceptable.

Examples of Menu in Operation 1.Texas State Authority authorises all formats on the list, excl. 9-hole match play formats. Scores are expected to be posted without exception. Any stroke play score is acceptable provided all 9 or 18 holes are played. Most Likely Score concept is used for holes not completed. All scores to be supported by min. one scorecard per group. Scores from rounds when player DQ'd not acceptable. 2.Philippines Golf Association authorises all stroke play competition formats over 9 and 18 holes and all 4-ball match play formats (casual and competition) over 18 holes. Scores from these formats are expected to be posted without exception. All holes to be played and completed. Scores when player DQ'd are acceptable. One scorecard for each player for every score.

Examples of Menu in Operation 1.Texas State Authority authorises all formats on the list, excl. 9-hole match play formats. Scores are expected to be posted without exception. Any stroke play score is acceptable provided all 9 or 18 holes are played. Most Likely Score concept is used for holes not completed. All scores to be supported by min. one scorecard per group. Scores from rounds when player DQ'd not acceptable. 2.Philippines Golf Association authorises all stroke play competition formats over 9 and 18 holes and all 4-ball match play formats (casual and competition) over 18 holes. Scores from these formats are expected to be posted without exception. All holes to be played and completed. Scores when player DQ'd are acceptable. One scorecard for each player for every score. 3.Golfing Union of Ireland authorises all competition formats and casual 4-ball formats. It requires players to pre-register rounds involving casual play which are NOT to count. In casual rounds, Most Likely Score concept is used for holes not completed. All scores to be supported by min. one scorecard per group. All holes must be played. Scores from rounds where player DQ'd acceptable.

Remaining Issues Should the Club have any say in the choice of format or ‘Menu’ approach – for example: may it further narrow down the range of formats chosen by the National, State or Regional Association? select the method of pre-registration and/or attestation?

Summary Uniformity - Flexibility - Play by the Rules - Simplicity

Summary Uniformity - Flexibility - Play by the Rules - Simplicity Limited Flexibility within largely uniform system to reflect golfing cultures and to make it more likely that a sufficient number of scores will be posted by every player

Summary Uniformity - Flexibility - Play by the Rules - Simplicity Limited Flexibility within largely uniform system to reflect golfing cultures and to make it more likely that a sufficient number of scores will be posted by every player Uniformity in terms of scores that are NOT acceptable, and in certain core points

Summary Uniformity - Flexibility - Play by the Rules - Simplicity Limited Flexibility within largely uniform system to reflect golfing cultures and to make it more likely that a sufficient number of scores will be posted by every player Uniformity in terms of scores that are NOT acceptable, and in certain core points Flexibility in terms of the authorising of golf formats and certain aspects of the treatment of scores for handicapping purposes

Summary Uniformity - Flexibility - Play by the Rules - Simplicity Limited Flexibility within largely uniform system to reflect golfing cultures and to make it more likely that a sufficient number of scores will be posted by every player Uniformity in terms of scores that are NOT acceptable, and in certain core points Flexibility in terms of the authorising of golf formats and certain aspects of the treatment of scores for handicapping purposes Over which issues should the Club exercise the flexibility available?

Summary Uniformity - Flexibility - Play by the Rules - Simplicity Limited Flexibility within largely uniform system to reflect golfing cultures and to make it more likely that a sufficient number of scores will be posted by every player Uniformity in terms of scores that are NOT acceptable, and in certain core points Flexibility in terms of the authorising of golf formats and certain aspects of the treatment of scores for handicapping purposes Over which issues should the Club exercise the flexibility available? How much flexibility is really needed?