Greetings from Erinvale Tuesday, 23 August 2016
Dear Members
We recently had a couple of issues with regards to incorrect results being entered into the handicapping system. To be more specific, the issue is about when you are allowed to enter a No Return (NR). We have investigated and met with two members that were brought to our attention and dealt with them accordingly. It was determined there was no deliberate intention to affect their handicaps but more of a lack of understanding of the rules as laid down by the Handicap Network Africa (HNA).
We are sure there are a lot more of these cases but as you can imagine it would take months to go through each and every members’ rounds. I am taking this opportunity to make all of you aware of the rules as to when you may enter a NR into the handicapping system.
Below is an extract from the HNA rules that’s on its website explaining when you are permitted to enter a NR. Other than these situations you may not enter a NR. If you do and it is reported or we find out that this has occurred, then you will be called to a disciplinary hearing and sanctioned accordingly.
5.3 Maximum score on any hole
The maximum score on a hole for handicap purposes is 2 over par except where a player has two handicap strokes on a hole, in which case the maximum score allowed is 3 over par for that hole. Players should, where possible, complete every hole regardless of their partner’s or their opposition’s score. Where a player does not complete a hole they should record their most likely score. Where a player is unsure of how to adjust the gross on each hole, the player may enter the scores achieved on each hole using the SAGA Handicap Terminal function “Hole-by-Hole” scoring, and the system will adjust the player’s actual score to the maximum allowed per hole and a total adjusted gross for the round.
5.4 Unfinished Holes, Conceded Strokes
A player who starts but does not finish a hole or is conceded a stroke must record the most likely score they would have achieved. The number of strokes most likely to have been achieved should not exceed the maximum allowed on each hole as detailed in 5.3 above.
5.5 Recording a score for incomplete holes
5.5.1 Rule 1 of the rules of Golf specifies “The Game of Golf consists of playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules”. No score can be returned in individual stroke play unless this Rule is followed.
5.5.2 In forms of play in which completion of every hole is not essential, it is sometimes helpful and speeds up play for a player to discontinue play on a hole perhaps because of a lost ball or for some other valid reason. Competitions should be scheduled to permit completion of all holes by every competitor whenever possible as it is strongly recommended that hole and rounds be completed to provide maximum information on the player?s ability. However, when play at a hole is not completed for any valid reason, the player shall, for handicap purposes only, return a score for the hole in accordance with the formula in Section 5.3 above.
“Please note for clarity that the following are also regarded as NR. Matchplay, Foursomes, Greensomes, Scrambles or any other form of play whereby you do not end with the same ball you started the hole with. Also, if the game is called off by the Director of Golf due to the course being declared unplayable and the round is not completed”
I urge you to please be careful when entering your scores and if by chance you are uncertain please seek advice from the Director of Golf. As from today there will be no leniency shown. This is a form of cheating and will not be tolerated. Please do not put your committee into the awkward position of having to sanction any of you. It’s not a pleasant task I can assure you.
Thanks & best regards
Dean
