The basis of the EGA Handicap System is the assumption that every player will try to make the best score he can at each hole in every round he plays and that he will report as many qualifying scores per year as possible, preferably not less than four.

 

The National Associations become the governing authority after having received a written authorisation from the EGA Handicap System. The National Associations must ensure the integrity of the EGA handicaps issued under their jurisdiction. The National Associations may delegate their governing authority to Area Authorities.

The "handicapping authority" for a player is normally his home club. The National Associations may, however, assume the responsibility as the "handicapping authority" as it shall direct.

The EGA Handicap System is based on three cornerstones, the previously used handicapping systems in Europe, which are all modifications of the CONGU System, the USGA Course Rating System, and Stableford for Stroke control.

EGA exact handicaps are divided into the following five handicap categories:

Handicap Category	EGA Exact Handicap	Buffer Zone (Stableford Points)
1	- 4.4	35 - 36
2	4.5 - 11.4	34 - 36
3	11.5 - 18.4	33 - 36
4	18.5 - 26.4	32 - 36
5	26.5 - 36.0 (40.0)	31 - 36

The number within square brackets, (40.0), refers to ladies. The National Associations are, however at liberty to decide on whichever limit for category 5 as they wish.

Affiliated clubs are allowed to add "club handicaps" exceeding the official limits. Club handicaps are whole numbers and may go up to 54 or more.

Alterations of handicap

EGA Exact Handicap shall be adjusted as follows:

Handicap Category	EGA Exact Handicap	Buffer Zone	Add for each point below Buffer zone	Substract for each point above 36
1	- 4.4	35 - 36	0.1	0.1
2	4.5 - 11.4	34 - 36	0.1	0.2
3	11.5 - 18.4	33 - 36	0.1	0.3
4	18.5 - 26.4	32 - 36	0.1	0.4
5	26.5 - 36.0 (40.0)	31 - 36	0.2	0.5

When a player's exact handicap is to be reduced so that it goes from a higher handicap category to a lower handicap category, it shall be reduced at the rate appropriate to the higher category only as far as it brings the exact handicap into the lower category and the balance of the reduction shall be at the rate appropriate to the lower category.

Example: with an exact handicap of 19.1 returns a score of  41 Stableford points. His exact handicap is reduced in two steps:

1 9.1 - (2 x 0.4) = 1 9.1 - 0.8 = 18.3
18.3 - (3 x 0.3) = 18.3 - 0.9 = 17.4

This so called threshold effect is taken care of by any computerised registration system or may be taken directly from tables available at all clubs.

Club handicaps are reduced in whole numbers i.e. for each Stableford point above 36 the club handicap is reduced by 1.0. Club handicaps are not increased.

 

In order to attain an EGA exact handicap all players must register at least three qualifying scores. The National Associations may require a larger number of qualifying scores. At least one of these qualifying scores must be at an exact of 36.0 (40.0) - or any other limit determined by the National Association - or better.

According to the USGA Course Rating System the playing handicap varies from one course to another. It varies also at a specific course from one tee to the other. The exact handicap is consequently not really a handicap but a sort of index figure. The playing handicap from a specific set of tees at any measured course can be obtained from the table usually located close to the first tee.

Qualifying scores are all scores from qualifying competitions in which handicap conditions prevail. All such scores must be converted to Stableford points. The National Associations may also decide that Extra Day Scores qualify for handicapping. Furthermore the National Associations may decide that qualifying rounds over 9 holes are sufficient for handicapping purposes in category 5 or category 4 and 5.

Qualifying scores within the relevant buffer zone or better are sufficient for handicapping purposes even if the competition has been abandoned by the committee. Correct Stableford scores from qualifying rounds where the player has been disqualified are also sufficient for handicapping purposes.

Qualifying scores below the relevant buffer zone in competitions where less than 10% of the scores fall within the relevant buffer zones or better do not warrant an increase of the EGA exact handicap.

The National Associations may adopt the procedure and establish the conditions of extra day scores. The EGA Handicap System recognises extra day scores in category 2 - 5. However the player who wishes to record an extra day score is required to enlist before starting play and to return a score card signed by him and his marker. Handicap conditions must prevail and the qualifying round shall be played at the players' home club.

Handicap conditions only prevail when the following requisites are fulfilled:

• the qualifying round is played on the course of an affiliated club
• the qualifying round is played on a course with a measured length over 18 holes of not less than 2.750 metres
• the course has been rated in accordance with the USGA Course Rating System the length of the course does not vary more than 100 metres from the length of the measured course
• the round is played according to the Rules of Golf and within the authorised Local Rules the forms of play is stroke play, par or Stableford provided that par and Stableford are played with full playing handicaps
• the score is marked by an eligible marker

An eligible marker is a member of an affiliated club or National Association who holds or has held en EGA exact handicap from a handicap authority recognised by a National Association.

The EGA exact handicap may be suspended, lapsed or lost if a player does not comply with the obligations imposed by the EGA Handicap System. If a player ceases to be a member of an affiliated club or a National Association the player also looses his handicap. Such a suspended, lapsed or lost EGA exact handicap may be restored when the handicapping authorities consider it warranted.

Unless the National Association determines otherwise the EGA exact handicap is the responsibility of the player. The player shall only have one home club and is required to return all qualifying scores. Before the annual revision all players are required to return at least four qualifying scores.

 

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