My Golf Handicap
As a member of the Total Golf Club, you can obtain and maintain an official Total Golf handicap without the expense of belonging to a traditional golf club.
This handicap will enable you to play at courses across the world where you are required to present a handicap certificate.
As part of your membership, we will help you to manage your handicap. We will calculate your new handicap and provide you with updated handicap certificates as you submit scorecards. This is one of the many benefits
of being a member of Total Golf Club.
Your Total Golf handicap
- Recognized at courses throughout the world
- Calculated from non competitive rounds
- Scorecards can be from different courses
- Managed for you by Total Golf team
- Adjusted and updated as often as you submit scorecards
- Revised handicap certificates issued without limitation
- Updated automatically in your 'profile' on the website
How do I obtain a handicap?
In the first instance, to obtain a handicap you need to do the following:
- Play 3 rounds of golf and have a playing partner mark 3 scorecards.
They can be at different courses and be 'friendly matches'. However, you must complete every hole and have a playing partner mark your scorecards on your behalf. - Ensure your scorecards are completed in full...
Name, membership number, date, gross scores, standard scratch score for the course, signed by yourself and your marker. - Post your 3 scorecards to:
Handicap Secretary, Total Golf Club, Gemini Network Media, 5th Floor, Telford Plaza Two, Ironmasters Way, Telford TF3 4NT - Receive an official handicap card and see it online
We will calculate your handicap and send you an official handicap card. We will also enter your handicap online which will be part of your 'profile'
How do we calculate your handicap in the first instance?
We take the 3 scorecards you have submitted and then we calculate the 'nett differential score' for each card and choose the best card.
The 'nett differential score' = your gross score MINUS course SSS (standard scratch score)
However, in accordance with CONGU rules, we reduce any holes that are greater than 2 shots over par to be 2 shots over par. So, if you achieved a 7 on a par 4 then for the purposes of your handicap, we reduce it to 6.
Example of handicap calculation:
Your gross score |
SSS |
Net Score |
|
Card 1 from Course A: |
96 |
73 |
23 |
Card 1 from Course B: |
98 |
72 |
26 |
Card 1 from Course A: |
95 |
73 |
22 |
Your handicap would be your best score i.e. 22.
How do handicaps change?
Your handicap can change each time you play. To calculate how well you have played, calculate your 'nett differential' to see how you compare to your present handicap and playing standard:
Your nett differential (how well you have played):
Your gross score MINUS your handicap = SSS (to play to handicap)
Example 1: SSS = 72 81 MINUS 6 = 75 (played 3 above handicap)
Example 2: SSS = 72 76 MINUS 6 = 70 (played 2 under handicap)
Handicap Increases
Your handicap will go up when your nett differential is more than the SSS (see example 1 above) AND it is outside your buffer zone.
Your 'buffer zone' is the range you can play within so your handicap does NOT change. Golf handicaps are divided into 5 categories and each of these categories has a different 'buffer zone'.
Example:
SSS = 72 81 MINUS 6 = 75 (played 3 above handicap)
Handicap of 6 is Category 2. Buffer zone = 0 to +2
I have played 1 shot above my buffer zone
My handicap increase: 1 x 0.1 = 0.1 increase
Handicaps are rounded up and down for playing purposes. So 6.4 is a playing handicap of 6 whereas 6.5 is a playing handicap of 7.
If your playing handicap changes, we will submit a new handicap certificate
| Handicap of Player | Buffer Zone | Handicap Increases Nett Differentials Above Buffer Zone |
Handicap Decreases Nett Differential Below Zero |
| Category1:
Handicaps up to 5 |
0 to +1 | Handicap increased by 0.1 | Handicaps reduced by 0.1 for each stroke nett differential is below zero |
| Category 2:
Handicaps 6 to 12 |
0 to +2 | Handicap increased by 0.1 | Handicap reduced by 0.2 for each stroke nett differential is below zero |
| Category 3: Handicaps 13 to 20 | 0 to +3 | Handicap increased by 0.1 | Handicap reduced by 0.3 for each stroke nett differential is below zero |
| Category 4: Handicaps 21 to 28 | 0 to +4 | Handicap increased by 0.1 | Handicap reduced by 0.4 for each stroke nett differential is below zero |
| Category 5: Handicaps 29 to 36 (*) | 0 to +5 (*) | Handicap increased by 0.1 (*) | Handicap reduced by 0.5 for each stroke nett differential is below zero (*) |
| Where the nett differential is within Buffer Zone, no adjustment to handicap is made. | |||
Handicap Reductions
Your handicap will go down when your nett differential is less than the SSS.
Your handicap reduction is calculated according to your handicap category (see above).
Example:
SSS = 72 76 MINUS 6 = 70 (played 2 under handicap)
Handicap of 6 is Category 2. Reduction of 0.2 for each stroke
I have played 2 shots above SSS i.e. -2
My handicap reduction 2 x 0.2 = 0.4 decrease
Handicaps are rounded up and down for playing purposes. So 6.4 is a playing handicap of 6 whereas 6.5 is a playing handicap of 7.
If your playing handicap changes, we will submit a new handicap certificate
Submitting scorecards throughout my membership
You can submit as many scorecards as you want throughout your membership and we will calculate if there is any change to your handicap. Post your scorecards to:
Handicap Secretary, Total Golf Club, Gemini Network Media, 5th Floor, Telford Plaza Two, Ironmasters Way, Telford TF3 4NT
If there are any changes, we will send you an updated handicap card. If there are no changes, we will notify you by email.
What are the maximum handicaps?
The maximum playing handicap for men is 28 and for women is 36. If your handicap is more than this, it will be recorded as 28 or 36 respectively for playing purposes.
What if I lose my handicap certificate?
If you lose your handicap certificate, you request a new certificate by contacting the membership office at membership@totalgolfclub.com.
Where can I play with my Total Golf Club handicap?
With your golf handicap certificate, you can play golf courses in the UK and throughout the world as it proves you can play to a certain standard. You are advised to check with a course before booking to see if there is handicap limit.
You are also advised to check if your handicap certificate qualifies you to play in Open golf competitions. On occasion, golf clubs insist that the handicap certificate is from a traditional golf club so please check with the Golf Club Secretary before entering. This is at the discretion of each club.
Click here to learn more about becoming a member of Total Golf Club