Handicap Card

[europebn]

What would be the best way to get an official handicap card?

Each time I golf, could I ask the club pro (if there) to sign it? Is it that simple?

Thanks.

[Gary Hill]

To establish a valid RCGA Handicap Factor, you must be a member of a golf club that is a member in good standing of both the provincial golf association and the RCGA.

The RCGA defines a golf club as an organization of at least ten individual members that have a reasonable and regular opportunity to play with each other, that operate under by-laws, that provide for peer review, have a Handicap Committee and are members in good standing of their provincial golf association.

Any questions can be directed to the Chairman of the Handicap Committee at your club.

[Dutchie]

Let me jump in here... do you have to be a member of a golf club to get an official handicap? That seems a bit discriminating against those who cannot afford a membership or those who like to play on different courses through the season.

I wouldn't care less about an official handicap usually, except that I am moving to Sweden after the summer and it seems to be kind of important there (you have to be a member of a club to play anywhere else!).

So...if I want to get an official handicap, do I have to become a member at a club, or is there an option just to register my scores somewhere?

B.t.w., anyone with info about golf in Sweden, let me know!

Dutchie

[Gary Hill]

That is EXACTLY why we are trying to get OttawaGolf recognized as an official club.

[NoBack]

Gary, while on the subject of handicaps........

What is the RULE for recording rounds for your handicap as far as dates are concerned. Can I use rounds played in april and november. I play from day one to the last possible day and use ALL my scores no matter what the conditions. Can I shoot a 78 in april and not be allowed to use this score???

Thanks

[Gary Hill]

The rule is: ALL scores for ALL dates at ALL courses.

The whole system is designed around this requirement.

[Kilroy]

Could you please reconfirm that? I got this from the RCGA site some time ago, but I just checked and cannot find it now.

NOTE: The Handicap season for posting scores from Ontario golf courses is April 15 to October 31. All games played outside the Active Handicap season in Ontario should not be posted for your Handicap. You may post scores if you played at a course during an Active Handicap Season (I.E. Florida/Arizona in December). For more information consult the RCGA Handicap System Manual.

[Kilroy]

Gary, I am really wondering about this issue, have you been able to find any reference to the Active Handicap Season by location?

[Gary Hill]

I don't see what the issue is here.

You cannot keep a valid R.C.G.A. Handicap Factor by yourself.
You cannot have a valid R.C.G.A. Handicap Factor without belonging to a R.C.G.A. accredited golf club.
You can only keep a valid R.C.G.A. Handicap Factor on your RCGA/QGA membership card signed by the designated official at your club.

It is the responsibility of the Provincial Golf Association (in our case, the QGA) to determine whether or not they wish to restrict scores to a seasonal period.

Any questions about the current seasonal period should be directed to the Chairman of the Handicap Committee at your club.


For hypothetical questions, these sources may be of help:

Royal Canadian Golf Association
2070 Hadwen Road
Mississauga, Ontario L5K 2T3
Phone (905) 849-9700
Fax (905) 845-7040
E-mail: golfhouse@rcga.org
http://www.rcga.org
http://www.rcga.org/askaquestion.asp
Handicap Help Desk 1-800-263-0009, extension 209.

Quebec Golf Association
415, Bourke
Suite 110
Dorval (Québec)
H9S 3W9
Telephone: (514) 633-1088
Fax: (514) 633-1074
E-mail: golfquebec@golfquebec.org
http://www.golfquebec.org/

Ottawa Valley Golf Association
Box 1144
Manotick, Ontario
K4M 1A9
Phone: (613) 692-2958
Fax: (613) 692-1703
E-mail: mail@ovga.org
http://www.ovga.org/

[shortgame]

Hi,

You can get an RCGA handicap card by joining the Golf Association of Ontario. I've had one for the last couple of years.

Since they don't have a club near Ottawa, they allow you to post directly to the office. I just send them my attested scorecards, and they update the card, intial it, and send it back to me.

With your membership number, which you can now keep track of your updated Handicap Factor from their web site.

Regards,

Jim.

[europebn]

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look.

The reason is that I will be moving to Scotland, and I plan on playing St. Andrews during my stay. And to play the Old Course, you need an official handicap.

And 'shortgame', how much does it cost to join the Golf Association of Ontario?

[shortgame]

The cost is $49.95 per season.

You can get this and other information from their web site at:

http://www.gao.ca

Regards,

Jim.