Sparta golf society

New handicap system adopted

The Handicap Committee has decided to adopt a new handicapping system which it feels is fairer and will be more readily understood by members. No longer will a competition winner be automatically cut unless his stableford points score is 37 or higher. However, low scores will automatically result in raised handicaps.

The new system is as follows:

• Scores of 23 or below in a competition will result in the members handicap being increased by 1 shot.
• A score from 24 to 29 points will increase the handicap by 0.5. This is rounded down but a second consecutive round in the same range will increase the members handicap by 1.
• A score from 30 to 36 will result in no change to the members handicap.
• A score of 37 to 38 will result in a 0.5 reduction in a members handicap (rounded down).
• 39 to 40 will decrease the members handicap by 1.
• 41 to 43, handicaps will decrease by 2 and 44 or above, by 3.

Members are reminded that if they have an official club handicap which is different from their Society handicap, they must play off the lower of the two in all Society competitions. Also maximum handicaps of 28 for men and 36 for ladies will remain.

The new system will come into force for Captain's Day at Ashford on 29 July and will apply for the remainder of the season, when it will be reviewed to determine if it should continue.

Following, the Summer Meeting at Littlestone, the handicap committee have determined that both James Manning and James Donaldson should be reduced by 1 shot following their 30 points in the morning round.

Similarly, Ian Dibbens and Anna Dougal have their handicaps reduced by 1 for wins in the Cook Cup and Claret Jug respectively. On the plus side both Pete Frost and Richard Jones have had their handicaps increased by 1 shot after recent poor showings.

All current members handicaps are shown on the Handicaps page under Results.