England Golf have announced new measures limiting how players with general play scores on their handicap records can enter some elite amateur competitions.
Golfers who want to play in top tournaments like the Brabazon Trophy or the English Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championship will need to meet the terms of the governing body’s revised Championships Entry Policy in 2027.
Right now, players who enter oversubscribed elite England Golf championships with more than four general play scores among their most recent 20 are subject to an additional review.
That compares their competition score differentials with their score differentials recorded in general play. Where the difference is more than two strokes, players are denied entry.
But, from next year, players with two or more general play scores in their most recent 20 will find themselves subject to the same assessment.
And that two-stroke difference previously allowed in the score differentials will be cut to 0.5 strokes. Any more and entry will be denied.
Players with penalty scores on their handicap record will also be reviewed and could be refused entry.
The revised policy is “designed to ensure that England Golf’s national championships continue to attract the strongest possible fields”. The policy excludes handicap events.
More changes could be on the way in 2028. It is proposed “players entering Under 18 Championships will not be permitted to have any general play scores within their most recent 20-score record”.
It follows a petition from the Junior Golf Integrity Initiative, highlighted by Father Son Golf on Instagram, who revealed more than 500 people signed up to “prevent GP scores being used to determine entry into oversubscribed elite junior events”.
What is behind the revised Championships Entry Policy?
The Championships Entry Policy was initially launched as a pilot scheme in 2023, with James Crampton, England Golf’s Championships Director, telling NCG it aimed to protect the integrity of elite amateur competitions and ensure tournament play was a major factor in entering the most prestigious events.
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Around 60 players were refused entry to oversubscribed events in the first year and the policy was made a permanent fixture of the governing body’s competition procedures in 2024.
Now it seems the measures are being tightened further. In addition to the new rules on general play scores, an entry can also be refused if a player’s handicap contains fewer than 10 competition scores within the preceding 12 months, or if a player has an incomplete handicap record where fewer than 20 scores have been returned.
In 2027 only, the revised policy states that “entry will be considered whereby evidence shows the entrant submitting Competition Scores in order to remove an historical General Play score from their handicap record”.
Explaining the alterations, Crampton said: “These changes will help ensure our elite championships continue to attract and showcase the highest-calibre players from across the country and beyond.
“While general play scores play an important role in maintaining an accurate Handicap Index, performance in competitive golf remains the most reliable indicator of a player’s eligibility into a national championship.
“By refining our entry criteria, we are further strengthening the integrity of our championships and creating the most competitive environment possible. We look forward to another outstanding season of championship golf in 2027.”
Which England Golf Championships will be subject to the new policy?
- Brabazon Trophy (Qualifying)
- English Women’s Stroke Play Championship
- English Women’s Amateur Championship
- English Men’s Amateur Championship
- Logan Trophy
- English Senior Women’s Amateur Championship
- English Super Senior Women’s Amateur Championship
- English Senior Men’s Amateur Championship
- English Super Senior Men’s Amateur Championship
- English Senior Men’s Stroke Play Championship
- English Senior Women’s Stroke Play Championship
- English Girls’ U18 Championship
- Carris Trophy
- English U18 Championship
- McGregor Trophy
- English Girls’ U16/U14 Championship
- Reid Trophy
Now have your say
What do you think of England Golf’s revised Championship Entry Policy? Do you support the changes? Would you like to see an equivalent policy introduced at your own clubs for the biggest tournaments? Let us know in the comments, or get in touch on X.
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