FAQ

Questions: 

How can I get an official Handicap (now called Handicap Index) and how is it calculated?

How is my Handicap Index Adjusted?

What is the process for adding Casual/recreational Rounds under the WHS?

How can I obtain a Handicap certificate?

I would like to join the Seniors Section at the Club?

I would like to become more actively involved in the golf section of the Club?

My child would like to join the Juniors/Cadets; does the Club have a child protection policy?

 

Answers: 

How can I get an official Handicap (now called Handicap Index) and how is it calculated?

Under the new WHS the number that represents your ability on a course is known as your Handicap Index. This is your number that will change as you complete rounds and put in scores.

It is calculated from the best 8 out of the last 20 qualifying scores submitted (see below). If you haven’t submitted 20 or more scores – then it will be calculated in accordance with the number of scores that have been submitted (between 3 – 19) as shown on the table below. It is, of course, beneficial to have 20 scores counting – as this is more likely to show a truer representation of your play.

Obtaining a handicap for the first time - Handicap Index

If you have not held a handicap before or it has been over 12 months since leaving your last club, you will need to submit cards played at SBM to obtain your initial Handicap Index. Please note the following: -

• • It is the responsibility of the applicant to give full details of any previous golfing history by completing the attached Golfing History Proforma. This should be completed and returned to the Handicap Secretary before a handicap index is issued. Completed forms can be dropped into the card box by the handicap computer or e-mailed sbmhandicaps@gmail.com
  
  
• • A minimum of 54 holes (made up of any 9 or 18 hole rounds) are required to obtain a handicap index. The cards must be clearly marked “FOR HANDICAP INDEX”, dated and played under competition rules and marked by a SBM member. White or yellow tees for men, blue may be used for juniors and red for ladies
  
  
• • Cards must be submitted within a six-month period. The maximum handicap for any gender is 54
  
  
• • Don’t forget - your handicap index will ideally be calculated from the average of your best 8 scores from your last 20 rounds. So, you are encouraged to submit score cards on a regular basis.
  
  Your index will be updated after you post a new score.
  
  The table below shows how your Handicap Index will be calculated before you reach the 20 round target. After 3 rounds your lowest round less 2 will be used, 4 rounds – lowest less 1 … and so on (see table)
  
  
  
  
• • Adjustments to the score submitted.
  
  In some cases it may be necessary to adjust the score put forward for one or more of the following reasons:
  
  
  • o Adjustment of gross score to eliminate anything worse than a Nett Double Bogey
    
    
  • o A Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) – similar to the old SSS to CSS adjustment
    
    
  • o Use of the slope rating to reduce Score Differentials on harder courses
    
    
• • Once you have achieved 20 qualifying scores, your Handicap Index will be calculated using the best 8 scores within the 20. These are the last 20 scores
  
  played and will be on a rolling basis – with scores dropping off as new/latest scores replace them. The following table shows an example of how this will work:
  
  
  
  
• • If you are a member of more than one club, you must nominate a home club, to ensure you only have one Handicap Index
  
  
• • Course Handicap
  
  To play a casual round at any golf course, you will need to calculate your Course Handicap for that course. This is a combination of your Handicap Index and the Slope Rating* for the course you are playing. This can be calculated by the:
  
  Course Handicap = Handicap Index x Slope Index / 113
  
  However, these calculations have already been made for you on a Slope Rating Table (one for each combination of courses at Stock/Brook/Manor and are displayed in the changing shoe hut near reception – see example of Slope Rating Table below
  
  An Application for iPhone/Android is available from England Golf (called MyEG) which will show you your current Handicap Index and also provide details of your Course Handicap for playing courses around the UK - recommended
  
  
• • *Slope Rating is a measure of the difficulty of a course and has been calculated based on a number of factors including the playing length of the course and the obstacles a player will encounter (e.g. size of green, number and place of bunkers, lakes, trees and other hazards). Each course has a Slope Rating between 55 and 155 – with 113 being the average. The higher the Slope Rating – the more strokes a player will need to play it.
  
  For Stock/Brook – the Slope Rating is 122 (from the White tees), 120 (from the Yellow tees) and 129 (from the Red tees for Ladies)
  
  
  
  
• • Playing Handicap (for Competitions ONLY)
  
  One further element applies if you are playing in Competitions. It represents the number of strokes a player will receive when playing with or against others players in a Competition Round (dependant on the format of play) - this is for COMPETITION PURPOSES ONLY.
  
  Course Handicap x Handicap Allowance = Playing Handicap
  
  Here is a table showing the Handicap Allowances:
  
  
  
  In an Individual strokeplay or stableford competition – an individual will only play off 95% of his/her Course Allowance – but in a Fourball stableford will play off 85% of his/her Course Allowance.
  
  

How is my Handicap Index Adjusted?

Your Handicap Index may be adjusted for the following reasons:

• 1) Playing in qualifying competitions home or away – these scores may add to the “past 20” qualifying scores and could therefore adjust the “best 8” average
  
  
• 2) Pre registering for a casual/recreational round – more detail provided below
  
  
• 3) Exceptional scoring – where a score is 7 or more strokes better than the players handicap index
  
  
• 4) Annual review – All member handicaps are reviewed at the start of the year by the Handicap Committee and possible adjustments discussed with the relevant member
  
  

What is the process for adding Casual/recreational Rounds under the WHS?

Supplementary Score Cards provide an alternative way by which players, who find it difficult to play in sufficient Qualifying Competitions can maintain a "Competition" handicap.

The Committee has drawn up the following process for ALL members of the Golf Section at Stock Brook to follow when wishing to play a Casual/Recreational Round that will count towards their Handicap Index. The requirement to pay a nominal fee has been dropped (for the time being) to ensure all golfers have the opportunity to complete as many rounds as is necessary for an accurate calculation of their handicap ability.

The Process

• 1. Register on HowDidiDo (HDID) before starting the round (in exceptional circumstances, if no access to HDID then complete the book at Reception)
  
  
• 2. Play the round with a marker (i.e. a club member with an existing handicap)
  
  
• 3. Complete the round and enter both on HDID (if you have access) and a physical SB golf card – get this signed by the marker
  
  
• 4. The golf card must be marked ‘Casual or Recreational Round’ and placed in the appropriate box in the foyer
  
  
• 5. Verification of the score and acceptance towards your Handicap Index will be made by the appropriate Handicap Secretary within 30 days
  
  

Please note:

Recreational Rounds should be played from near the plates of the course being played (i.e. Red/Yellow/White) and cannot be played from the Tee Mats

HowDidiDo - to sign in for a Casual/recreational Round:
Home/Today’s Golf/Sign In



For any further information regarding Handicaps at Stock Brook – please email SBMHandicaps@gmail.com

How can I obtain a Handicap certificate?

Handicap Certificates are available via the HowDidiDo App.

I would like to join the Seniors Section at the Club?

You need to be over 55 and have an official handicap index.

There is no qualifying period. Experienced golfers or new members to the club who meet the criteria can join immediately.

Without a handicap you can join as a social member which can be upgraded as soon as you obtain an official handicap.

Simply contact the reception, leave your details and someone will contact you.

The joining fee is a one off £5.

The Seniors play on a Wednesday morning. To play simply register and book on the app HowDidIDo. Failing being able to go on line contact a member of the committee.

Be advised there are many Senior Trophy games that you cannot take part without an official handicap.

I would like to become more actively involved in the golf section of the Club?

Golfing activities within Club are run by 3 committees, the Main Club Committee, the Ladies Section Committee and the Senior's Committee. If you would like to be considered to serve on one of these committees you should write down a brief CV about yourself, address it to the Captain of the section that you are interested in and wish to serve on and put it into the appropriate pigeon hole located next to the downstairs men's changing room. Someone will then contact you to explain about eligibility, vacancies and the election process.

My Child would like to join the Juniors/Cadets; does the Club have a child protection policy?

Yes – In association with England Golf, Stock Brook does have a Safeguarding Policy in place which is available on the club’s Members Website Safeguarding or contact the Club Welfare Officer, Lesley Speller (Lesley.speller@stockbrook.com or 07528 229678)