Handicap Committee

WGGC Handicap Rules

Overview

The handicap adjustment is based on the principle that players shoot many more rounds above their exact handicap than below. If players shoot consistently below their exact handicaps, then, by definition, these exceptional rounds become less exceptional as it reflects the player’s improved ability. The formula below aims to reflect this in its sensitivities to scores below and above handicap. It aims to limit the intervention by the handicap committee in downwards adjustments of handicaps.

A player’s Exact Handicap is his handicap calculated to one decimal place. A player’s Playing Handicap is his Exact Handicap calculated to the nearest whole number (0.5 is rounded upwards)

Terms in Detail

The Buffer Zone is the range of Nett Differential within which an Exact Handicap remains unchanged. Handicaps are divided into the following categories each with a Buffer Zone:

Category	Handicaps	Buffer Zone	Lowest Score before Change
Category 2	Handicaps of 6 to 12	36 to -2	34 (applied at 33 points)
Category 3	Handicaps of 13 to 20	36 to -3	33 (applied at 32 points)
Category 4	Handicaps of 21 to 28	36 to -4	32 (applied at 31 points)
Category 5	Handicaps of 29 to 34	36 to -5	31 (applied at 30 points)

Adjustment of Handicaps

If a player returns a Nett Stableford Points score with a Nett Differential:

1. Within the Buffer Zone, the handicap is not changed. For every shot above the Stableford scratch (36) the Exact Handicap is increased by the following amounts

2. Below the Buffer Zone, the Exact Handicap is increased once by the following amounts.

Category	Handicap	Score above handicap; Add Once Only	Score below handicap & buffer zone; Subtract for each stroke below
Category 2	6 to 12	0.1	0.2
Category 3	13 to 20	0.1	0.3
Category 4	21 to 28	0.1	0.4
Category 5	29 to 34	0.1	0.5

Annual Handicap Review

We are required under CONGU regulations to carry out an Annual Review to identify players whose general playing performance and scoring pattern over the year is better or inferior than expected and should have a handicap reduction or increase. (CONGU regulations 23.1 & Appendix M) As part of continuous improvement CONGU has introduced the Annual Review Report. This has been designed to assist Clubs in carrying out the Annual Review by providing a guideline that "flags up" players who, through the period, have performed better than (or worse than) expectations. See the WGGC detailed Annual Handicap Formula here.

Only Applicable up to 2020 (New WHS applies from 2021)

29 Point Rule

When an individual scores 29 Stableford points or less at any golf event he receives a 0.2 increase to his handicap. This approach takes away any ambiguity and personal approach to increasing individuals.

Continuous Handicap Reviews

If a player gets a pattern of 0.1 increase for ALL the first 5 events they automatically get a 0.5 increase at the mid-year review. If a series of 7 is achieved (another 2 on top of the mid-year) then they automatically review another 0.5 increase at the end of the season. This approach takes away any ambiguity and personal approach to increasing individuals.

Exceptional Scoring Reductions (ESR)

When a player returns a Qualifying Score of -2 (or 38 Stableford points), in a calendar year this triggers the ESR algorithm. (Simple terms this only ever comes into play if a person scores 38 points or more twice in any one season) This approach takes away any ambiguity and personal approach to increasing individuals. Used as reference to support the handicap committee meetings

Average of the two low Qualifying Scores 38 and above	Number of Qualifying Scores in the Sequence Includes both scores
	Average	4 or less	5 to 9	10 or More
	– 2.0 to – 4.0	1 stroke	0.5 stroke	No change
	– 4.5 to – 8.5	1 stroke	1 stroke	0.5 stroke
	– 9 or better	2 strokes	2 strokes	1 stroke

WGGC Handicapping System in Full

1 - Traditional Handicap Changes. (Congu Standard) applied to all scores outside your buffer zone

2 - 29 Point Rule. (0.2 for all Stableford points of 29 or less, plus your CONGU 0.1, = 0.3 per event)

3 - Annual Handicap Review. Identifies players who may be considered for handicap adjustment

4 - Continuous Handicap Review. (Continuous 0.1 cuts of 5 or above)

5 - Exceptional Scoring Reductions – ESR. (Multiple scores of 38 points or more, this will be used for reference only)

6 - New member Review. New members handicaps reviewed after 3 events.

7 - Event Exceptional Scoring. Review and adjust after any event. (New 2020)