NEWS: Central Database of Handicaps set to launch
Will Spence spoke to Paul Keeling, the EGU's club services manager, to find out more about this new handicap system...
What is the CDH?
The Central Database of Handicaps (CDH) contains a copy of the player’s records as held within the clubs’ handicapping software.
The system has been developed by the EGU and with the support of all CONGU Unified Handicapping System Licensed Handicap Software suppliers.
Why have the EGU decided there is a need for a CDH?
The CDH is designed to improve the integrity of the handicap system.
It will also assist the club officials responsible for the administration of their members’ handicaps by saving them time.
What are the key benefits?
The system can automatically send, receive and input players’ records of qualifying away scores.
Also, for open competitions the club have the facility to interrogate the basic detail of all golfers with handicaps in England by using the player’s unique lifetime ID number.
For example, membership status, handicap and last updated, active/inactive.
Do members need to do any of the updating?
Club members are not required to do anything. It is all managed by their home club.
In due course, members will be notified of their unique lifetime ID number by the EGU or their home club.
This can then be used when entering competitions away from their home club, when asked for proof of membership or handicap when visiting other clubs, moving clubs etc.
What information will be held on the database?
The only data held are the player’s name, club, membership, handicap status and year of birth, which is needed for entry into age-limited competitions.
Who will benefit from the CDH?
The CDH is for the use of club handicap committees and county/national golf unions.
Every member of a club throughout England will be given a unique lifetime ID number.
This can then be used for entry to club, county or national competitions, if they move clubs and when visiting clubs on a casual basis.
Who can access the database?
The CDH is purely for administrators. However, members will have online access to check their own exact or playing handicap and when last updated by the club at our EGU Golf Central site.
Here they can register as a club member, build their profile and get the latest handicap info automatically fed through each time there is an amendment.
However, other players cannot see your handicap or profile as it is password-protectected.
Does this mean I no longer need to provide a handicap certificate when playing in a competition away from my home course?
Not if the host club ask for the player’s unique ID number on the entry form as this will give them the relevant detail of the player’s membership and handicap status.
If playing outside of the British Isles, a handicap certificate may be required.
However, the player’s unique ID will now be included on certificates.
Will the CDH automatically update handicaps when scores are posted in competitions away from a player’s home course?
The CDH cannot be in real time as the return of away scores to the home club require processing.
For example, if you play in an open at away courses on a Saturday and Sunday both being handicap qualifiers and post a good score in the first, it is doubtful that the competition results would be processed, sent to the home club and entered into a player’s record before the Sunday.
Therefore, under CONGU Rule 20.11 a player is obliged to make a downward adjustment (only) to their handicap.
What differences will I notice to the way my handicap works and is maintained?
As a club member you’ll see no difference apart from handicaps should be kept up to date through the automatic return and processing of away scores to the home club.
Will high or low handicappers be affected more?
Neither will be affected more than the other.
However, low handicappers do tend to play more competition golf at their home or open events, so I guess it might be a little more beneficial to them in keeping track of their exact and playing handicap.
Has the system been used anywhere else?
The Irish Golf Union have been using a CDH for the last five years and it is fully accepted as a benefit to clubs and their members.
I believe the Scottish and Welsh Unions are also in the development stages of their systems, and once all the home union systems are up and running, there is a desire to expand the functionality to move away scores across borders.
Is it mandatory for clubs to register and if so, by when?
It is not currently mandated, but it is the EGU’s target to get all clubs registered by the end of 2009.
It is felt that once the majority of clubs are registered, mandating the use will then be taken to the county unions.
What differences will I notice as to the way my handicap works and is maintained?
As a club member you’ll see no difference - unless you are someone who regularly competes in competitions away from your home club.
In this respect handicaps should be kept up to date through the automatic return and processing of away scores to the home club.
When does the EGU’s CHD come into effect?
At present there are more than 400 clubs and 150,000 golfers registered on the database.
However, we are aiming to have all clubs in England registered by the end of December.
Do players who take part in a lot of competitions away from their home course still need to inform their handicap secretary of their scores?
It is still the player’s responsibility to inform the home secretary of any away scores.
However, the system allows these results to be updated online and the home secretary will receive notification to say that an away score is available to be verified and updated.
While the processing of away scores will be speeded up, it is not something that is likely to happen within a 24-hour period.
SIGNING UP FOR THE CDH
Clubs can register now by contacting the EGU Club Services Dept on 01526 354 500 or by following their CONGU Handicap Software help sheet that can be downloaded from www.englishgolfunion.org - go to the handicapping section.