Handicap Guidelines: Non-Automatic Changes to Handicaps

There are occasions when the AHS is unable to respond to changes in a player’s ability. These occur where:

the player infrequently plays eligible games; or
the player is a rapid improver.

In such circumstances, it will be appropriate for a non-automatic change to be made to the player’s handicap, in accordance with the procedures below.

Handicappers

There are two grades of handicappers appointed by the CA, Club Handicappers and Association Handicappers. It is the policy of the HCC that there should be a Club Handicapper active within all Member Clubs.

Handicaps above 8

Both grades of handicapper have power to alter and set handicaps in this range.

When a player’s handicap is so altered, his index is reset to the trigger point corresponding to that handicap. Odd numbered handicaps above 12 may be used; where they are used, the player’s index is altered to the value given in Table 5.

Table 5: Supplementary handicaps and indices

Handicap	Index	Handicap	Index	Handicap	Index
13	1125	17	1025	21	925
15	1075	19	975	23	875

A handicapper who is considering setting or altering a handicap above 8 should normally ask the player to complete the test described in ‘Setting and Initial Handicap’, above. However, the handicapper should also have regard to his ability to hit roquets, his general tactical knowledge and the results of any qualifying games which he has played.

Handicaps from 0 to 8

Only Association Handicappers may alter and set Handicaps in this range. However, Club Handicappers may recommend such changes to an Association Handicapper but it will not take effect until confirmed by the Association Handicapper.

Any such change must be by at least 3 steps. Such changes must be based on a period of 10 or more consecutive Eligible Games. Eligible Games are games that count in the AHS.

Consultation before altering handicaps

Where practical, before altering a player’s handicap, a handicapper should consult with any other handicapper who has changed that player’s handicap in the last three months.

Minus Players

Handicappers may not alter or set minus handicaps. In exceptional circumstances, the Chairman of the HCC, on the recommendation of an Association Handicapper, may alter or set minus handicaps.

Reporting non-automatic handicap changes

Any handicapper who changes the handicap of a CA associate has a duty to report the change to the CA office on the appropriate form. Changes to handicaps above 8 must be reported on form HC1; other changes are to be reported on form HC2.

Appeals from decisions of handicappers

Appeals from handicap changes made by handicappers may be made to the HCC or under the Tournament Regulations. Such appeals will only be successful if the appellant can prove either:

that these Guidelines and Procedures have not been followed; or
that no reasonable handicapper acting reasonably could have made the decision that the handicapper made.

Appeals against a decision of a Club Handicapper may be made to an Association Handicapper who is local to the player concerned.

For appeals against a decision of an Association Handicapper, the Chairman of the HCC shall nominate three members of the HCC, which may include the Chairman of the HCC, who shall hear the appeal.

There is no appeal from a handicap change under the AHS.

Power of HCC to alter handicaps

The HCC recognises that there may be times when strict adherence to these guidelines and procedures may produce an unfair result. Thus in individual cases the HCC may depart from these guidelines and procedures when it considers it just and equitable to do so.

This power shall be exercised by the Chairman of the HCC on the advice of an Association Handicapper who is local to the player concerned.