New Handicaps, Electronic Scoring and the Pro Shop
As part of our ongoing commitment to best practice—guided by England Golf—we’re introducing a streamlined induction process to support new members in accurately completing cards and developing their handicaps. Luke, Sarah, and Paul will now lead dedicated training sessions for new members on how to correctly complete a handicap card, both on paper and electronically, and how to submit scores via the England Golf App (initially with guided support).
This initiative not only empowers new members with the confidence and skills to manage their own scoring, but also aligns with Luke’s sustainability goals for the pro shop by encouraging greater use of electronic scorecards.
Importantly, it also eases the workload for our handicap committee volunteers, allowing them to focus on applying their valuable local knowledge to handicap decisions, rather than processing new handicap cards. It’s a win-win for efficiency, sustainability, and member experience.
Card filling and handicap awareness will be an important component of the new welcome packs we are creating to help increase the confidence of our new members.
Handicap Training & Review Update
England Golf have worked through with Management (Gary Tubb), a train the trainer module for the active review of handicapping within the club. We are hugely grateful for the support we continue to get from England Golf.
For transparency:
- Data-led process: Handicap reports highlight concerns, which are then balanced with local knowledge (e.g. injuries, form etc).
- No current concerns: All member handicaps were reviewed with no meaningful issues identified.
- Ongoing commitment: A follow-up review is scheduled for Spring, ahead of the new season.
- Fair play focus: Our Handicap Team's role is largely to ensure that, using data and local knowledge, England Golf’s mantra is upheld: “All golfers should be able to play, compete and win – regardless of age, gender or ability.”
- Competition integrity: Repeated wins by the same players may signal a need to adjust club levers—whether through handicapping or competition rules—to ensure all members feel they have a chance to succeed.
More updates will follow next year as we assemble the Handicap Team
NB Out of interest - Sarah Barter, England Golf’s head of handicapping and course rating has pointed out the growth of 9 hole golf and the importance of putting in your 9 hole cards. Nationally 9-hole scores are slowly increasing in men - now nine per cent of scores submitted this year. With 9 hole cards for women now representing 22% of cards submitted!
Also some players have a high number of 'deleted intents' - mostly to protect their handicaps from going up it would seem, but all cards started should be completed unless for good reason eg lightning etc