You know another year is starting to reach a climax when the competition calendar takes a distinct turn.
We’ve been through a relentless diet of medals and Stablefords. Everyone’s had their game face on in a battle of the board competitions.
But as the selection boxes start hitting the shop shelves – yes, I know this is basically in September now – something changes.
A load of novelty events cram the diary. The 3 club and putter could the dictionary definition of this.
I use 3 clubs merely as an illustrative device – you can basically insert whatever number you like into the equation. The big thing is the terms of competition limit how many clubs you can use.
I’m not dissing these events, either. Far from it. My club has an annual 2-club and putter and I’m gutted if I miss it. I often score better than when I’ve got a full set at my disposal.
Maybe everything just becomes a bit clearer when you’re only wielding a 7-iron for pretty much every shot.
But given I’ve seen 40-odd points regularly winning this event down the years, it begs a question. Can it count for handicap?
Is a 3 club and putter competition an acceptable score?
This boils down to what is an acceptable score. They are any round that’s an authorised form of play, over a minimum number of holes, played to the Rules of Golf, and certified prior to submission. So far so good.
But if you dig into the Rules of Handicapping, there is a clarification labelled “Scores Not Acceptable for Handicap Purposes” that brings the hammer down on anyone harbouring any hopes.
It says: “Some formats of play and scores played under certain restricted Terms of the Competition are not acceptable for handicap purposes”.
If you download a copy from the web, and swing over to page 35, you’ll find a very handy diagram very clearly listing some of what’s not allowed.
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These include scrambles, being coached on the golf course, and when a score can’t be verified by another person.
But it also says “when the number or type of golf clubs to be used is restricted” and staring back at you is an illustrated sign saying “3 club and putter”.
So fire away safe in the knowledge that if you are lucky enough to do something special with just a handful of sticks, you won’t be getting a big handicap cut for your efforts. It’s one the few examples in the WHS era where you’ve basically got a free hit.
Now have your say
What do you think? Should restricted club competitions count for handicap – even if it was just reduction only – or have handicap chiefs got it right? Let us know in the comments, or get in touch on X.
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