INTRODUCTION
The Golf Australia (GA) Handicap System provides flexibility to clubs for it to determine its own policy on certain issues and as such the Buninyong Golf Club Handicap Authority has established the following policy position.
The Buninyong Golf Club handicap policy has been developed in accordance with the Golf Australia Handicap System version 20/7/2017.
Responsibility for administering the handicap system lies with the match committee who will be the Handicap Authority.
Eligibility
Handicap conditions for Buninyong Golf Club competitions and events will be contained in the relevant competition or event Terms of Competition.
Conforming Social Scores
The Handicap Authority has decided that Conforming Social Scores, as defined by the GA Handicap System, will not be used for handicap purposes.
Player Plays Within the Competition Field but Doesn’t Enter the Competition.
A player who plays within a competition field but does not actually enter the competition is deemed to have a conforming social score and their score will not be used for handicapping purposes.
Four Ball Scores.
Four ball scores will be used for handicapping an individual player in accordance with Golf Australia Handicap System.
9- Hole Scores
Scores in 9 hole competitions will be used for handicapping in accordance with the Golf Australia Handicap System.
Scores returned in Aggregate Teams Events (eg. Two- Ball Aggregate and Two-ball Multiplier competitions)
Scores in aggregate teams events will be used for handicapping in accordance with the Golf Australia Handicap System.
Scores Returned in Pro- Am Events
Scores from Pro-Am Events will not be used for handicapping.
Scores Returned in Corporate / Trade Days that have been conducted by an entity that is not affiliated with G.A.
Scores from Corporate/ Trade days will not be used for handicapping.
Scores Returned in a Competition that has been declared Null and Void.
A score returned by a player in a competition declared null and void may be used for handicapping purposes. Provided course or weather conditions have not notably compromised the proper playing of the game for that player.
Scores Returned in Events such as Bisque Par and Three Ball competition’s.
Scores returned in novelty events such as Bisque Par and Three-Ball competitions will not be used for handicapping.
Competition Condition Limits the Number of clubs to less than 14.
When a competition limits the number of clubs that may be used to less than 14, only a score that is equal to or better than the players official Daily Handicap for that round will be used for handicap purposes.
No Score Returned.
If a player fails to complete all holes in any round the handicapping status may be No Score- Approved or No Score – Not Approved as decided by the Handicap Authority and may be handicapped in accordance with the Golf Australia Handicap System.
Player Fails to Return Score Card
If a player fails to return a score card for a reason not approved, the following process will apply:
- The round will be recorded as No Score – Not approved (see below), unless the handicap authority considers the player most likely had a ‘good’ score. In which case a score will be used for handicapping equivalent to the best / lowest differential of the players most recent previous 19 differentials.
No Score – Approved
Means where a player fails to complete all holes in a round due to events of reasonable significance, such as illness, injury, emergency bad weather or other reason considered valid by the committee.
No Score – Not Approved
Means where a player has completed less than 8 holes or fails to complete all holes in a round due to reasons other than events of reasonable significance.
A handicap will lose its full status in the event that a player should accrue in their most recent 20 Actual Scores five or more entries with a status of No Score – Not Approved. Full status is automatically regained upon the number of No Score – Not Approved entries declining to four or less.
Professional Golfers
Professional golfers and those waiting reinstatement to amateur status will be eligible to participate in BGC competitions and events but will not be eligible to win prizes.
Allocation of a GA Handicap
The following process must be followed for a player who has not previously held a GA handicap to obtain a GA handicap in accordance with GA Handicap System Guide section 11:
- The player must clarify in writing that they have not previously held an official GA handicap or a recognised overseas equivalent;
- The player must submit scores for three 18 hole rounds that have been entered into golf link. Buninyong golf club allows 9 hole scores to be used for handicap purpose where two 9 hole scores will be the equivalent of one 18 hole round.
- Where three 18 hole rounds have not been recorded however it is clear the maximum GA handicap is warranted, the player will immediately be allocated the maximum GA handicap.
- An immediate handicap adjustment, either higher or lower, will be made if the Handicap Authority has good reason to consider an adjustment is more appropriate.
- A player who has previously held a GA handicap or overseas equivalent will have their last recorded handicap reinstated.
