CONGU Changes to Handicaps 2016
As from 1 March
Four Ball Better Ball Handicap Allowance: In both stroke play and match play the back marker will concede strokes to the other three players based on 90% of the difference between the full handicaps rather than 75% (3/4) as at present
Continuous Handicap Review: The introduction of a process to flag players with seven consecutive 0.1 handicap increases so that Handicap Committees can review and apply an immediate handicap increase if required.
Club handicaps – A new ‘Club Handicap’ of up to 54 will be introduced for adults as well as juniors. Handicaps higher than 28/36 will only be valid at the player’s home club for use in club-run events and cannot be used in opens etc.
Nine holes – It will be possible to put in Supplementary Scores over nine holes for handicap. Nine-hole scores will also be taken into account for an Exceptional Scoring Reduction.
Reinstatement of Handicap Status: The reinstatement of a competition status handicap requires a player to submit three qualifying scores, which could be 18-hole competitions, 9-hole competitions or Supplementary Scores both at home and/or away.
Dates – The handicap year will now follow the calendar year of 1 January to 31 December, and a player’s handicap will be based on scores returned within that period
In Ireland Only Clause 4.5(c) has been amended. The maximum increase in handicap permitted in a calendar year will now be one shot above the lowest handicap achieved in that year.
Initial Handicap Allotment: A new algorithm has been introduced in line with the Annual Review algorithm. A handicap may be allotted up to a limit of 54 but handicaps over the existing maximum of 28 for men and 36 for women will be club handicaps and not eligible for “c” status (ie competitions)
Rule Changes for 2016
The below changes are the result a four-year rules review conducted by the USGA & R&A:
Withdrawal of Rule on Ball Moving After Address (Rule 18-2b) – Rule 18-2b (Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment) has been withdrawn. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move.
This follows a similar addendum to Rule 18-2b that was made in the previous four-year rules cycle. The current change is meant to relax the rules against the golfer in a situation in which he or she has clearly not caused the ball to move.
Limited Exception to Disqualification Penalty for Submission of Incorrect Score Card (Rule 6-6d) – A limited new exception has been introduced to Rule 6-6d (Wrong Score for Hole). A player is not disqualified for returning a lower score for a hole than actually taken, when the incorrect score is a result of failing to include penalty strokes that the player did not know were incurred before returning the score card. Instead, the player incurs the penalty under the Rule that was breached and must add an additional penalty of two strokes for the score card error. In all other cases in which a player returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, the penalty will continue to be disqualification.
Modification of Penalty for a Single Impermissible Use of Artificial Devices or Equipment (Rule 14-3) – The penalty for a player’s first breach during the round of Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Abnormal Use of Equipment) has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.
This rule lightens the penalty for use of gadgets like rangefinders or other distance measuring devices, particularly on first offense.
Prohibition on Anchoring the Club While Making a Stroke (Rule 14-1b) – As announced in May 2013, new Rule 14-1b (Anchoring the Club) prohibits anchoring the club during the stroke, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point”. The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The long-awaited ban on anchored putting will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
The organizations also announced slight changes to the Rules of Amateur Status which will also take effect on Jan. 1, 2016. The changes involve charitable prize money, expenses and amateur status reinstatement.
Prize Money to Charity – New Rule 3-1b enables an amateur golfer to participate in an event where prize money or its equivalent is donated to a recognized charity, provided the approval of the governing body is first obtained in advance by the organizer.
Golf-Related Expenses – New Rule 4-3 clarifies that an amateur golfer may receive reasonable expenses, not exceeding actual expenses incurred, for non-competition golf-related activities
Reinstatement to Amateur Status – The recommended guidelines on periods awaiting reinstatement are amended to provide that a period in breach of the Rules of up to six years (previously up to five years) should result in a period awaiting reinstatement of one year.
The next rules review will occur from 2016-2020 with results likely to be announced in late 2019