What is Golf Ireland's new handicap initiative and why is it controversial?
Yet another change has been made to the handicap system and plenty of golfer's aren't happy.
With professional golf in a never-ending state of flux, it seems appropriate that the powers that be in charge of the game can't help themselves but continually make changes that impact casual golfers.
The introduction of the revamped World Handicap System in 2020 was controversial, and to say that it has split opinion would be as big an understatement as saying Rory McIlroy isn't very fond of LIV Golf.
This week, Golf Ireland stepped up to the tee and once again decided to follow the example of England, Scotland and Wales by making a huge change to the handicap system.
Break it down for me: What is the change?
For the first time ever, a person will be able to get a handicap without being a member of a golf club.
Non-club members can subscribe to an app called iGolf for €65 a year and through this app, independent golfers can track their performance and can get an official handicap through access to the Golf Ireland app.
Independent members will be subjected to the same handicap rules as club members under R&A/USGA regulations. This means that non-club members will still have to submit a certain number of cards, signed by a playing partner in order to qualify for a handicap.
As with club members, after receiving an initial base handicap, your current playing handicap is calculated by using your best eight scores out of your last 20 scores submitted. This is to prevent wild fluctuations if you are prone to the odd meltdown, and also stops your handicap getting too low if you shoot the lights out on a couple of occasions.
Why was this change controversial? Well, firstly it impacted players long-standing handicaps that they had for many years. Some players gained shots, some players lost shots, with both scenarios not exactly being entirely fair. These issues have been smoothed out over the past four years, but there are plenty who still prefer the traditional system that was used for many years.
What do they hope the change will do for the game?
Golf Ireland are hoping that this initiative will help bring more people to the game and encourage them to become club members in the future.
It is estimated that there are around 300,000 people in Ireland that play one round of golf per year but are not members of a specific club. It is hoped that independent members will get hooked on the game and will then try and join a club and as a result, the popularity of the sport will grow.
Why are some people annoyed by it?
Let's first address the elephant in the room. Anytime there are changes to how handicaps are calculated or the method of getting a handicap changes, the door opens for people to try and manipulate the system.
While golf is genuinely pretty good at policing itself, there is always the odd bandit that will try to game the system.
This issue came to a head during the covid pandemic when players were able to submit digital scorecards while playing casual rounds with friends.
Players could play a round and then opt to submit a card if they played well, and while they shot the score that they recorded on their phones, ask any wannabe golfer and they will tell you that it's a different kettle of fish altogether when you have a scorecard in your back pocket from the word go.
And that was only the half of the issue, as there were practically no safeguards in place to prevent players from outright lying about their scores and getting a friend to sign off on it.
Another reason why this new change is unpopular is because it could have an impact on the membership levels at current clubs. Why would you bother spending hundreds of euros per year as a member, when you could spend €65 on an app and go around playing in open competitions?
Now don't tear up your membership just yet. In order to qualify for the iGolf app, you must be a non-club player for three years before being allowed access.
This might not seem like a big deal, but people do often let their memberships lapse for a year or two if, say, they move country or are injured and can't play for a period. How many will renew their membership for huge amounts of money if they can get it on the cheap a year down the line and what impact will that have on smaller clubs who need membership subs to survive?
Maybe all that is a bit dramatic. Maybe golf will be thriving in a couple of years time with thousands of new members hitting the links every week.
At the same time, there is a chance that this could impact membership levels and erode the trust that has been built over the years in the one time much maligned handicap system.
Golf. Never a dull moment.
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