The internet is full of apocryphal tales of handicap manipulation. The words ‘general play’ alone have been grotesquely twisted into bywords for swindling and golfing fraud.
It’s why the nickname ‘cheat’s charter’ follows around discussions of the World Handicap System – whether the tag is valid or not.
What you don’t see, though, as the accusations fly about in the digital ether, is what can be done about it.
Claim and counterclaim fail to acknowledge that clubs have a responsibility, and quite wide powers, to tackle handicap manipulation and that golfers have a duty to tell them where they think tomfoolery is taking place.
But what can a club do about golf handicap cheats, and what are the potential sanctions for those caught trying to trick the handicappers?
Concerned about a golf cheat? Here are some of the measures clubs can take
A club believes a player is manipulating their handicap record – what can do they do about it?
Handicap committees have wide powers if they suspect players are up to no good. They can look at various reports within their handicapping software, such as general play versus competition scores, deleted score intents, and how many general play scores have been entered – to name but a trio.
If clubs are using the MyEG app for players to submit general play scores, there are digital footprints which show the time a card was submitted and the time it was attested.
If a club find sufficient evidence that shows clear handicap manipulation – whether that’s higher or lower – they can carry out an investigation.
At this point, if they feel it is warranted, they can freeze the player’s handicap. If they believe the case to be more serious, they can withdraw it.
That ban can be in place as long as is needed and the player would be unable to submit scores for handicap purposes during the at time.
There are other sanctions at a club’s disposal. They can stop certain people attesting scores. They can suspend you from competitions or from entering general play scores.
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Couldn’t a player whose handicap is frozen or withdrawn just join another club?
They can but within handicap portals is a note section which allows for a record of any communication with a handicap committee – whether that’s appeals, freezes, withdrawals, adjustments.
Membership numbers, formerly known as CDH, are for a lifetime so accurate notes that are taken will move from club to club.
Could players just gain another membership number – by using a different email address?
To gain a handicap, the WHS portal requires a player’s name, date of birth, and email address. While players could try and use new email addresses, it’s unlikely they can get away with supplying false information on all three fronts.
What support is there for committee members if an investigation is ongoing?
Clubs can lean on their county handicap advisor, or their county secretary. If necessary, they can also call on England Golf.
Golf clubs do need to have appropriate disciplinary and appeal procedures in place so if they need assistance they can document conversations and evidence. Players will always have the right to appeal decisions, but they will invariably be charged for that at county and England Golf level.
Now have your say on this golf cheat debate
What do you think? How has your club dealt with players who have been found to have manipulated their handicap? What should happen to a golf handicap cheat? Tell me all about it on X.
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