One Handicap System for All
Reproduced by kind permission of The Golf Club Secretary - November 2001

The Ladies Golf Union and the Council of National Golf Unions have been discussing for some time how a unified Handicapping Scheme could be adopted for both women and men.

The stage has been reached whereby a joint committee is currently appraising the remaining differences with the aim of producing a draft for such a scheme for consideration by the appropriate National governing bodies.

It is expected that the unified scheme will be based on the CONGU scheme, with amendments and additions to cater for situations that are unique to ladies' golf. It is claimed by LGU that the advantages of a unified scheme include :

* a single software package;
* simplified administration within Golf Clubs;
* the easier administration of a future 'centralised handicapping scheme' within the Unions, as proposed;
* a wider pool of information for research into future refinements; and
* a greater world-wide acceptance of a single system that applies to both men and women.

The current CONGU Standard Scratch Score and Handicapping Scheme was introduced in 1983 and the revised edition has been effective from 1 January 2001.

The modified LGU Handicapping and Scratch Score System was first introduced on 1 February 1998 with the current edition effective from 1 February 2001.

There will be no changes in the existing schemes before 2003. This seems to be a very sensible approach and one that will have repercussions in the administration of the Ladies Section in most Golf Clubs.