Handicap

Last February 2006 my business was in difficulty and I could not afford to renew my membership. I had been playing for 3 years and up to the final year I had entered 7 competitions and only got my handicap down to 24 but to me it ment a lot.I missed this years renewal and I still play every now and again in the UK and when I go holiday. I have not yet had to show a certificate. But in January next year I am off to spain for 3 days and the club needs a certiifcate. I put my scores in on here and it has given me my handicap but it's nothing like 24 its 12.9.Is this right.I know clubs have different ways of scoring handicaps in different competitions. Can any one tell me if I print off my handicap from this site can I use it and show it abroad or at home in any club and is it a recgonised certificate? i'm just worried that when I go to a club, where ever, i'll get turned away.

Hi Kevern, just picking up on this post.

The only way to get a recognised official handicap is unfortunately by joining a club which issue CONGU golf handicaps.

That said the handicap issued on this site does follow the exact same calculations but is not official. Although I do know of members who have used the handicap on here to play at courses in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. I always recommend contacting the course first to check by telephone or fax. They are looking to see that you can play to a certain level so hopefully they will accept it.

I'm asked this question many times and to date have not had any negative response from the above answer.

Going forward I am looking at ways to provide an 'official' golfshake.com handicap so will let you know.

Hope this helps.

Further information if you are interested :

In my opinion this handicap is more accurate because it takes all rounds into account and not just competition rounds at your club which is the basis for the official CONGU golf handicap. You can also register with the EGU (English Golf Union) who offer another 'official' handicap but again in my opinion this confuses UK golf handicaps even further because you now have 2 systems backed by large organisations.

Hopefully at some point the UK will follow other European countries and the US and have one system which can be administered at clubs or online. You never know the handicap system may even be updated to a average based calculation similar to that used in Europe and the US.