You are in Handicapping
Ladies Golf Union Handicapping System
These notes relate to the current Handicap System, introduced in February
1998 and amended February 1999 and February 2000.
This
Handicapping System was discontinued at the end of January 2004 and
is no longer used.
We continue to provide these details for historical interest only.
| Contents |
Section 1 - Introduction
- What is a Handicap in Golf?
- Is Handicapping the same for Ladies and Men?
- Who organises the Ladies Handicap System?
- I am a member of two clubs. Can I have two Handicaps?
- How will I be allocated a handicap by my Club?
- What is the "Scratch Score" of a course?
- What will cause my Handicap to change?
- When do Playing Handicaps change?
- When is an Immediate Reduction applied to a Playing Handicap?
- What are ‘Accumulated Nett Differentials’?
Section 2 - Handicap changes after a competition
- How do handicaps change after a ‘Handicap Qualifying’ Competition?
- What is an Extra Day Score?
- How is a Nett Differential calculated if the competition is played as Stableford format?
- I have returned a score outside buffer zone but my handicap has not changed. How is this possible?
Section 3 - Handicap changes under General Play
- What is a ‘General Play’ adjustment?
- Are there limits on adjustments made under ‘General Play’?
- What factors should a Handicap Committee consider when making an application for change under ‘General Play’?
- Can a player request a change under General Play?
Section 1 - Introduction
What is a Handicap in Golf?
A handicap is a measure of standard of golf that typically represents the number of strokes per round a player takes more than that which a "scratch" (zero handicapped) golfer is considered likely to score. For Ladies, the maximum is 45.
Is Handicapping the same for Ladies and Men?
No. There are two systems. These have some similarities, but also differ significantly in some areas.
Who organises the Ladies Handicap System?
The Ladies Golf Union has created "The LGU Handicapping System". The address of the Ladies Golf Union is
The Ladies Golf Union,
The Scores,
St. Andrews,
Fife,
Scotland.
KY16 9AT
I am a member of two clubs. Can I have two Handicaps?
No. Players must allocate one of their clubs as their HOME CLUB. This club will then administer the player’s handicap. You are required to report competition scores (from Handicap Qualifying Competitions) played at the second club to your Home Club.
How will I be allocated a handicap by my Club?
Your club will ask you to submit three (or more) cards for consideration. The card with the lowest total is then used to allocate a handicap. Your handicap will be the difference between this total and the "Scratch Score" of the course.
You will be given an "Exact Handicap" which is to one decimal place (e.g. 22.4). Your "Playing Handicap" (Handicap which will be used for competitions, etc.) is your Exact Handicap rounded to the nearest whole number (e.g. 22.4 = 22 Playing Handicap). Exact Handicaps ending in 0.5 are rounded up (e.g. 22.5 = 23 Playing Handicap).
What is the "Scratch Score" of a course?
This is a score which a "scratch" (zero handicapped) player is considered to be expected to score around any particular golf course. It is usually identified on the scorecard as the LGU SS of the course.
A Scratch Score assessment is made by a ‘Scratch Score Assessor’ appointed by a National Organisation. The Scratch Score is based upon the length of the course. A Course Rating is calculated as a sum of values based on the length of each hole. This total is then adjusted based on the typical amount of run a ball will take after a drive of carry 180 yards and further adjusted after an assessment of course ‘value’ (proximity of hazards, general layout, etc).
What will cause my Handicap to change?
Handicaps change for one of the following reasons:
- You will have returned a score in a ‘handicap qualifying’ competition. This is a competition which has been identified (in advance) where handicaps will be adjusted, or
- Reported a competition score from another club, or
- Returned an ‘Extra Day Score’, or
- Following a manual adjustment under ‘General Play’.
When do Playing Handicaps change?
Player’s Playing Handicaps are reassessed on the 8th of each month, to adjust them in line with their Exact Handicaps as it was on the last day of the previous month. Any ‘Immediate Reductions’ applied in the first 8 days of the current month are then reapplied to the new Playing Handicap. This is called the ‘Monthly Revision’.
During the month, unless an Immediate Reduction is applied to a handicap, Playing Handicaps do not change in line their Exact Handicaps.
When is an Immediate Reduction applied to a Playing Handicap?
Under normal circumstances, Playing Handicaps are not adjusted until the next Monthly Revision. However, when an exceptional score is received below handicap, an ‘Immediate Reduction’ must be applied to the player’s Playing Handicap. This Immediate Reduction is determined by reference to a published table.
What are ‘Accumulated Nett Differentials’?
From February 1999, scores better than handicap but which are not low enough to trigger an Immediate Reduction have to be accumulated. This accumulation is calculated from the first of the month through to the seventh of the next month.
Should the accumulations, if treated as though they were a single score, trigger an Immediate Reduction, then an equivalent Immediate Reduction must be made to the handicap. A new accumulation is started with the next good score within the same period.
Only Nett Differentials below zero are accumulated.
Section 2 - Handicap changes after a competition
How do handicaps change after a ‘handicap qualifying’ competition?
The Competition Committee will perform the following calculations:
a) Determine whether the competition is a ‘Reductions Only’ competition
b) Calculate a ‘nett differential’ for each player. This is the difference between the players’ nett score (score less current handicap) and the Scratch Score for the course,
c) Use each players’ nett differential to adjust their Exact Handicap according to the following formula:
| Handicap of player | Buffer Zone | Nett Differentials below zero | Nett Differentials above buffer zone |
| Category 1: Handicaps up to 5 |
0 to +1 | Handicap reduced by 0.1 for each stroke Nett Differential is below zero | Handicap increased by 0.1 |
| Category 2: Handicaps 6 to 12 |
0 to +2 | Handicap reduced by 0.2 for each stroke Nett Differential is below zero | Handicap increased by 0.1 |
| Category 3: Handicaps 13 to 20 |
0 to +3 | Handicap reduced by 0.3 for each stroke Nett Differential is below zero | Handicap increased by 0.1 |
| Category 4: Handicaps 21 to 28 |
0 to +4 | Handicap reduced by 0.4 for each stroke Nett Differential is below zero | Handicap increased by 0.1 |
| Category 5:Handicaps 29 to 40 | 0 to +5 | Handicap reduced by 0.5 for each stroke Nett Differential is below zero | Handicap increased by 0.1 |
| Category 6:Handicaps 41 to 45 | 0 to +10 | Handicap reduced by 1.0 for each stroke Nett Differential is below zero | Handicap increased by 0.1 |
Where the Nett Differential is within Buffer Zone, no adjustment to handicap is made.
d) Immediately reduce competitors Playing Handicaps for those competitors who score nett differentials well below zero (adjustments made in accordance with a published table of changes).
What is an Extra Day Score?
Players may return a limited number of scorecards for Handicap consideration each season, outside of Competition play. These cards are called Extra Day Scores (EDS). Players with handicaps between 6 and 40 may return up to 10 EDS per season. Players with handicaps of between 41 and 45 may return 20 EDS per season, although from 1st February 2000 this has been revised as unlimited (but with no upward revisions). Players in category 1 (handicaps up to 5) may not return EDS scores.
An EDS must be a fully completed medal score (e.g. completed Gross Score) and the player’s handicap will be recalculated as though the score was returned in a competition.
How is a Nett Differential calculated if the competition is played as Stableford format?
A players’ Nett Differential is calculated as (Points scored) - 36 - (Par of Course) + (Scratch Score)
I have returned a score outside buffer zone but my handicap has not changed. How is this possible?
Under some circumstances (when there are less than 10% (approximately) of the Nett scores in a competition are within the competitor’s buffer zone or better) the competition will be identified as "for Reduction Only". Here, no increases of 0.1 may be applied to any handicaps, where the Nett Differential is above the buffer zone. Reductions in Handicaps for those with Nett Differentials below zero may still occur!
Only scores for players in categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 (i.e. up to handicap 28) are considered when calculating whether the competition is ‘for Reduction Only’.
Section 3 - Handicap changes under General Play
What is a ‘General Play’ adjustment?
A General Play change is a manual adjustment of a player’s handicap usually made by the Handicap Committee of a Club. These manual adjustments are required to be made when the player’s Home Club Handicap Committee "considers that a player’s handicap does not reflect her current playing ability".
Handicaps can only be reduced under General Play by a National Organisation, following submission by the Handicap Committee. This is a significant difference to the Men’s scheme, where clubs themselves can make General Play changes.
Are there limits on adjustments made under ‘General Play’?
There is no minimum or maximum amount a Handicap Committee may change a player’s handicap under General Play. However, handicaps cannot be decreased below 5.5 or increased above 40.4 under General Play.
What factors should a Handicap Committee consider when making an application for change under ‘General Play’?
If the Handicap Committee considers the player’s handicap is too high, they should consider
- Performance in Match Play competitions, mixed or team events, and
- Number of returns in Handicap Qualifying competitions (or specifically the lack of them).
It is believed that changes under General Play are unlikely to be accepted if the player has returned scores in Handicap Qualifiers.
If the Handicap Committee considers the player’s handicap is too low, they should consider
- Age, Infirmity or Illness, and
- Change in circumstances which may prevent the player from competing regularly in Handicap Qualifying Competitions.
Can a player request a change under General Play?
Yes, if the player believes her handicap does not reflect her current ability, she may apply to her Handicap Committee for a change under General Play.