CONGU REGULATIONS 2016
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In Ireland the maximum increase in Handicap in any year is limited to 1 shot above lowest exact handicap
held in that year and operates in the same way as with the previous 2 shot cap
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Country Specific Derogations
- Instead of country specific manuals, the same manual now covers all four countries whose derogations
are colour coded.
- These variations are usually listed towards the end of the relevant clause
- Ireland is coloured Green!
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Fourball Handicap Allowance is increased to 90% from 75% (¾) – (Appendix F)
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ESR calculation changed (Clause 23)
- An ESR is applied after 2 Scores with net differentials of -4 or better. A further 2 Scores of -4 or better
are now required before a 2nd ESR is applied
- ESRs will be applied based on 9H Qualifying Competition scores
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9H (Stableford) Qualifying Scores (Clause 22)
- Changes have been made in the manner in which 9H Qualifying Scores are calculated
- Members of more than one club may now return 9H Qualifying Scores in their Away as well as Home Club
- You MUST know your correct Exact Handicap when entering a competition away from your Home Club to
enable your correct Handicap Allowance be calculated
- Your Allowance changes based on the difference between Par and SSS on each course so you must refer
your exact handicap to the 9 hole conversion chart in the club you are playing in.
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Allotment of Handicaps (Clause 16)
- All scores for handicap must be entered into the software as a new facility has been added to calculate
the recommended handicap to be allotted
- The Committee may allot a lower handicap with good reason, i.e. previous golf/sport experience
- In exceptional circumstances a higher handicap may be allotted
- The Handicap Committee should monitor the performance of players with newly allotted handicaps to
determine if any correction is required.
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Reinstating a Handicap (Clause 25)
A CONGU® handicap is lost immediately after a player ceases to be a member of an affiliated club or goes
on Leave of Absence
- In Ireland a player’s handicap must be reinstated at the same handicap for a period of 12 months from
the date on which her handicap was lost or suspended.
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Competition Handicap ‘c’ Status (Clause 25)
- This merely indicates if a player has returned 3 Qualifying Scores in the preceding or current year and has
been in use in England, Scotland and Wales for a number of years
- The ‘c’ status may be required for entry to competitions in these countries (always check the Conditions
of Competition)
- In Ireland CONGU handicaps remain live irrespective of the number of scores returned each year.
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Continuous Handicap Review (Clause 23 (D))
- There is now a computer-generated report which flags players who have had 7 consecutive 0.1 handicap
increases.
- Handicap Committees are expected to review the performance of such players but not necessarily take
any action.
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A sequence of seven 0.1s can occur in “normal” play and consideration must be given to earlier handicap
reductions, weather, other performances, the space of time between rounds, etc.
- Increases, if any, must be a minimum of 1.0 and approval is required.
3 Letter Codes/Identifiers (Appendix I)
- These codes have been completely revised and it is imperative that the correct ones are used
- Please check that these are available in your club’s software and if not, make the software provider and
your Handicap Advisor aware of the shortcoming.
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Events in which Competitors play from different Sets of Tees (Appendix O)
- In virtually all cases different sets of tees will have different Standard Scratch Scores and/or Pars
- Different Handicap Allowances, for the purpose of allocating prizes only, must be given according to the
difference between the Par and/or SSS of courses being played
- The players playing the course with the higher SSS v Par must be awarded an additional handicap
allowance to compensate:
Scores required to play to Handicap
Men’s Course: Par 72 SSS 70
Ladies’ Course: Par 72 SSS 72
Score 2 shots better than Par i.e. 38 pts Score equal to Par i.e. 36 pts.
In this case the Ladies must get an additional Allowance of 2 shots
- CONGU strongly recommended that a single CSS Adjustment is calculated for all situations in which
players play in a Qualifying Competition from different sets of tees as detailed in Appendix B (2) for single
gender as well as Mixed competitions.
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Disqualified Scores in Qualifying Competitions (Appendix P)
- Many scores which have been disqualified under the Rules of Golf still count for Handicap
- All Competition and Handicap Committees should be aware of and ensure the correct procedure is
followed in all cases.
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Notification of Handicap Changes
- Players must be officially notified of unanticipated handicap changes under General Play or Annual
Review. It is not sufficient to post these on a Notice Board in the club.
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Club Handicaps 37-54 (Appendix J)
- Full details are contained in this Appendix and use of these is at the discretion of each individual club.
Handicap for Players with Disabilities (Appendix K)
- Full details are contained in this Appendix.
Supplementary Scores (Clause 21)
- These are rarely used in Ireland but a number of significant changes are detailed in this Clause.
Course Measurement Certificates (No. 11, Part 3 of Manual)
- All clubs are required to provide a Certificate of Measurement of their course(s). Certificates can be
prepared by any person who is competent and experienced in the use of the appropriate measuring
equipment and familiar with the requirements of Appendix A.
Blue Boxes in Manual
- The Blue Boxes in the relevant Clauses have been rewritten and expanded in an effort to explain the
principles underpinning the Clause.
Decisions on CONGU Regulations (Part 6 of Manual)
- Please be aware of these and check them for answers first.
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Membership of more than One Club
- In Ireland, your Home Club must be where you play most golf.
- You should advise all other Clubs of your Home Club and give every Club of which you are a member
details of your Golfnet Number in all the others
- Each Club should ensure that their members are correctly identified as Home or Away players on their
handicap software and on Golfnet. The correct Home Club Golfnet number must also be recorded.