Handicap/Medical Grounds Year Out

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could advise me on my current situation. I took a year out from my club this year on medical grounds, as I had to get a full ankle replacement a few months ago. I've just started back walking this week and really have the urge to hit some golf balls. I paid my levies and GUI fees to my club and the remainder of the fee was waived as I won't be returning to play in my club until next January as agreed. A friend has invited me to play some open events in his club in a couple of months time,which I hopefully will have the strength to do but I contacted my club to check my handicap and they say I can't play anywhere until next year. Could this be right? I didn't even go looking for shots back on medical grounds,surely my handicap remains the same once I have my GUI fees paid? Would really like someone to clarify this for me.

Thanks in advance.

Jacket111001

18 February 2010


The following important notice has been circulated to all affiliated Golf Clubs:
The Golfing Union of Ireland's Executive Committee has given further consideration to the status of a member of an affiliated club who has been granted Leave of Absence, and confirms the following:
(a) A member on Leave of Absence shall have his playing handicap suspended until such time he resumes his role as a playing member of his club.
(b) He will not be required to pay a Union Subscription or Provincial levy for the period of his Leave of Absence.
(c) During his period of Leave of Absence he shall not be eligible to represent his club in inter-club competitions or compete in open competitions.

thelongfellow

As far as I know you cannot play any competitions anywhere until next year. Your handicap is currently suspended but will be reinstated in January when your year out is finished.

Could well be wrong though.

Thanks for that information guys,lastly does that mean I can't even play society golf?

Jacket111001

It would depend on the rules of the society.
You can play casual golf anyway and you are not going to be competitive for the rest of the year.

Kace

No - anyone can play in Society Golf. You and your society will be defining your handicap and not the GUI.

Ryan T

I used to deal with leave of absenses for my club as the hon sec. Frankly it all became a right pain. This year we had 45 applications. yes 45.

If I can give you a piece of advice and without being rude if you are on year out granted by your club do not attempt to play any competitive golf. Clubs don't have to grant the year out and there is no entitlement to shots back.

We had a fella who got a bad flu one winter and didn't play golf for 6 monthe and he wanted a refund!! ffs

If you want to play some competitive pay the outstanding sub and rejoin

Ryan T ,I would gladly do that if the person I was dealing with was reasonable,he wants the full year sub.I'm also a member in a 9 hole course and they have offered me a deal for a few months,if I wish to take it up,only problem is I'm not handicapped out of there.I think I will stick to a couple of games in society golf and I understand a lot of clubs are having increased numbers looking for the medical year out and in these times that can be a financial strain for them.

DULLAHAN2

What is the worst thing to happen to your handicap if you didnt get it suspended?