Completing the Handicap Card
Contents...
The information below should be passed on to all new players as a guide on how to complete their handicap card:
Front of Card
This area is for noting changes to your handicap and for auditing purposes. When your handicap changes, note it here and get your Club/Federation/National Handicapper to check and sign your card as soon as possible.
Your card should always be showing a recent (certainly within 6 months) signature of a handicapper, even if your handicap has not changed in that time.
One of the duties of a club Handicapper is to 'audit' (and sign) all cards annually, and this is usually undertaken during the winter months.
Inside of Card
See the poster showing how to fill out your handicap card and further detail on that below.
Date
The date of the game.
Opponent Name Column
Always enter the opponent's full name. You may know who "Dicky" is because he is a club mate but it is rather meaningless to others who may look at your card.
Opponent Hcp Column
Always enter your opponent's handicap here. A good reason for completing your card immediately after the game is finished is because your opponent may not be around to tell you their handicap at a later time.
Game H/L
Only enter H or L in this column to signify whether the game was played to Handicap or Level play rules.
Game Score
Enter the game score here, with your score first.
For GC 7-4 if you win; 4-7 if you lose.
For AC +6 if you win; -6 if you lose.
W or L is not an acceptable entry.
Index +/-
This must be a figure with a plus or minus sign.
For handicap play, it will always be +10 or -10.
For Level play, look up the +/- values on the 'points exchange table' on the back of the handicap card, and enter that number (again with a +/- sign).
Index New
This is the sum of your previous index plus or minus the column immediately to the left.
General
It helps to use a spare line on the card to record, for example, "league match vs. Norwich", or "C-Level (7+) Series tournament", to identify a group of entries. Cards should not be changed at the end of each season if there is sufficient space available to continue. When your card is full, carry forward your index score to your new card and always get the new card signed by a Handicapper. (It is good practice to carry your previous card with you as a historical reference).
- It would be very useful to Handicappers when checking your card if you would please make a notation (in the margin) at the point any handicap changes occur.
Using this website
