Irons Handicap System
Exact handicaps
Category 1: Up to 5.4
Category 2: From 5.5 to 12.4
Category 3: 12.5 to 20.4
Category 4: 20.5 to 28
Category 5: Over 28
(This differs for the strict CONGU handicapping system in that Irons has men’s handicaps in excess of 28, which CONGU does not)
Competition Scratch Score
Unlike CONGU, Irons uses the PAR of the course from the tees being played usually the (yellow) visitor’s tees, rather than the competition tees, as the basis for establishing the CSS of the day. CONGU uses the standard scratch score which is a measurement based upon the overall length of the course from the tees being played, together with an adjustment for difficulty. In most, but not all, cases the standard scratch score will be lower than the par, and in club competitions it is usual for these to be played from the back tees, which results in most cases a small, addition to the SSS (or par). For this reason it is reasonably to be expected that Irons handicaps will tend to be lower than Club handicaps.
Irons establishes the Competition Standard Scratch score of the day as follows.
1. In all cases the CSS should be at least 1 less than the winning score unless this would be less than 33
2. The CSS is then calculated by using the figure nearest to 36 which between 10 and 30 percent of the players score ( we round up or down to maximize the range)
3. The maximum range allowed for CSS is 33 to 39 and if insufficient players are in this range it is non handicap qualifying.
Buffer Zone
We follow the CONGU buffer zones which are
h.c 21 to 28 – 4points - Category 4
h.c 13 to 20 - 3 points - Category 3
h.c 7 to 12 - 2 points - Category 2
up to 6 - 1 point - Category 1
In addition as we allow handicaps 29 – 36 and the buffer zone 5 points.
If a player’s score is within the buffer zone, their handicap will not be increased.
Handicap Adjustment If a player scores below the “CSS” in an IRONS event, then, for each shot their adjusted score is below CSS their handicap will be reduced as follows:
(Shots)
Category 1 0.1
Category 2 0.2
Category 3 0.3
Category 4 0.4
Category 5 1.0
If, as a result of an individual event, the player moves from one category to another, and still has some shots to spare for adjustment after that category change, then those remaining shots will be calculated according to the lower category(ies).
“RULE 23” General Play adjustment
Handicaps will be adjusted where there is seemingly compelling evidence that the existing handicap of a player does not reflect their current general performance. “This will be determined by the Handicap Secretary in consultation with at least two other members of the Committee, and should the individual have any grievance with the adjustment, that person will have the right to an appeal meeting with the Committee as an entirety to put forward their case.” This means that no decision will be considered to be a “knee-jerk” reaction to a single result.
Members of Irons should advise the Handicap Secretary when they produce *a performance that is significantly better than their handicap, anything over 40 points, this should be recorded. Even if this again provides a little more work for the Handicap Secretary, it will ensure that Handicaps are monitored in any meeting where one is playing with 2 or more other Irons members, any organized event or competition outside the IRONS, or any Qualifying Competition at their home club, so that a “Rule 23” adjustment may be considered or held over for further confirmation of performance.
As has been said above under “Standard Scratch Score”, it is reasonably to be supposed that a Member’s official club handicap (where applicable) will generally tend to be higher that their IRONS handicap. This being so, in the event of continuing upward adjustment of a member’s IRONS handicap as a result of their performance in IRONS competitions, their handicap may not be increased beyond their club handicap.
There is an assumption here that a member’s club handicap is reflective of their current playing ability and if that member has not played in many recent club competitions and is of the belief that their club handicap should in reality be higher to reflect their current playing ability, then they should advise the handicap secretary who will consider permitting their IRONS handicap to exceed their Club handicap either by a one-off adjustment and/or progressively thereafter for so long as this situation obtains.
HANDICAP ON JOINING IRONS
On joining Irons, players will be expected initially to play off their existing or last club handicap, if they have or had one, unless they feel that their current playing ability is not reflected by this. When joining, the highest men’s handicap will be 28 (although this can be adjusted upwards to maximum of 36, either by successive performance adjustments of 0.1, or by the Handicap Secretary applying a “Rule 23” adjustment).
It is a joining requirement that prospective members play their first two rounds in the company of a Committee member, during which the playing performance of the prospective member will be assessed and their Irons handicap will be settled accordingly.