GUI Handicap

SM746

Sorry if this was discussed before just looked through the forum search engine and could not find this particular scenario.
I will not name the golf club in case I get them in trouble but I went to play a round with a friend today, who joined this club in March. After the round he asked me would I sign his card as he was submitting cards for his handicap. I said no bother but that my signature would be useless as I was not a member of his club.
He informed me that it didnt matter and his club would take any three cards as long as they had the signature of a full member of any club. When I first got my handicap years ago I had to play with members of my own club and I would nearly bet the situation is still the same in this place.
Is this the way things are now to attain a GUI handicap or are this club being a little lax in the rules?

Unglika Norse

To obtain a handicap a player is required to submit a number of cards over 18 holes at his Home Club (preferably over a Measured Course), in such a manner as his Home Club specifies, but not less than three. Each card must be signed by a responsible person acceptable to the Handicap Committee.

As a member of the GUI with an affiliated number you should be acceptable to the club,provided that you include your GUI number for verification purposes.

SM746

Unglika Norse wrote: »

To obtain a handicap a player is required to submit a number of cards over 18 holes at his Home Club (preferably over a Measured Course), in such a manner as his Home Club specifies, but not less than three. Each card must be signed by a responsible person acceptable to the Handicap Committee.

As a member of the GUI with an affiliated number you should be acceptable to the club,provided that you include your GUI number for verification purposes.

Just signed my name and my home club on it. Did not need my GUI number but I he knows where to get it if he needs it. He said that was all they needed. I am sure what they are doing is above board but I could see a few dodgy cards being submitted by people in this scenario in order to get a more favourable handicap for themselves

Unglika Norse

SM746 wrote: »

Just signed my name and my home club on it. Did not need my GUI number but I he knows where to get it if he needs it. He said that was all they needed. I am sure what they are doing is above board but I could see a few dodgy cards being submitted by people in this scenario in order to get a more favourable handicap for themselves

You think that if they are going to cheat, that they would cheat a little bit less if the friend who was signing the card was a member of the same club perhaps.

SM746

Unglika Norse wrote: »

You think that if they are going to cheat, that they would cheat a little bit less if the friend who was signing the card was a member of the same club perhaps.

Nope you will never stop the cheaters but I do think there is more scope to get a misguided handicap in the scenario that this club affords their new members, especially the round today I highlighted simple mistakes he was making today in relation to the rules, which I know he did not know about for rounds he has completed thus far

Unglika Norse

SM746 wrote: »

Nope you will never stop the cheaters but I do think there is more scope to get a misguided handicap in the scenario that this club affords their new members, especially the round today I highlighted simple mistakes he was making today in relation to the rules, which I know he did not know about for rounds he has completed thus far

IMO there is no difference, you were able to point out some mistakes in regards to rules others may have not even know he was making them.

All a person can do is use his/her integrity to complete a round as honestly as they can and have somone approved as in the original quote attest to the score that they have had, there will be no more or less a misguided handicap in whatever situation arises

SM746

Unglika Norse wrote: »

IMO there is no difference, you were able to point out some mistakes in regards to rules others may have not even know he was making them.

All a person can do is use his/her integrity to complete a round as honestly as they can and have somone approved as in the original quote attest to the score that they have had, there will be no more or less a misguided handicap in whatever situation arises

well said

Cecco70

I'm thinking of joining a club so I could get a gui handicap as well.

I'm not sure about a few things though, would I have to play three rounds with a member to get my cards signed or could I just play the 3 rounds on my own and then get a member to sign the cards afterwards?

Thanks

Reganovski

Cecco70 wrote: »

I'm thinking of joining a club so I could get a gui handicap as well.

I'm not sure about a few things though, would I have to play three rounds with a member to get my cards signed or could I just play the 3 rounds on my own and then get a member to sign the cards afterwards?

Thanks

You certainly can't do the latter but you can get a non-member to sign your card. The person just needs to be approved by the club.

Cecco70

Thanks Reganovski, another thing I don't understand is once I get an official handicap do I have to play competitions for my handicap to change or could I just play casual rounds with members and still get an increase or reduction?

Sorry for the noob questions, this handicap stuff is all new to me.

PhilipMarlowe

Handicap will usually only change by playing in "qualifying competitions" which effectively means proper singles competitions played in season.
In the winter time, course conditions usually mean placing in the rough etc so these are non-qualifying.
Casual rounds don't mean anything.
A few good performance in team events or society golf might mean you get a cut on general play but it's all about the singles competitions from ~March/April to ~Oct/Nov really.

Cecco70

PhilipMarlowe wrote: »

Handicap will usually only change by playing in "qualifying competitions" which effectively means proper singles competitions played in season.
In the winter time, course conditions usually mean placing in the rough etc so these are non-qualifying.
Casual rounds don't mean anything.
A few good performance in team events or society golf might mean you get a cut on general play but it's all about the singles competitions from ~March/April to ~Oct/Nov really.

Thanks very much Philip, that clears things up for me. Looks like I'll be entering a few comps in the future........I better get to work so i avoid embarrassing moments like I had today.

alxmorgan

Cecco70 wrote: »

Thanks very much Philip, that clears things up for me. Looks like I'll be entering a few comps in the future........I better get to work so i avoid embarrassing moments like I had today.

Don't worry about it - we all went through it.
I remember my first competition and I was bricking myself.
Like being on a first date

The guys you play with will by and large be sound and don't be afraid to tell them you are a noobie as they can help you out with stuff like filling in cards etc as they did me and most likely everyone else on here