1. The European Golf Association on: Playing to the Rules of Golf
World Handicap Meeting
Far Hills, USA 23 May, 2013

2. Playing to the RoG Governing bodies: “RoG basic premise”
Rules and Handicap – defining features of golf
Playing to the RoG not major problem
Players make an effort in competitions/handicap purposes
WWH should encourage strict adherence to RoG; but ultimately players’ responsibility
Casual/social/EDS-rounds: announcement crucial to commit players to RoG
If WWH assumes score is attested, then positive peer pressure

3. RoG on holing out?
Individual stroke play vs. match play, fourball, and Stableford
Not holing out often in accordance with RoG, not essentially RoG-issue
Key: hcp system requirement to estbl. score; features in place to accommodate
EGA/CONGU view: whatever feature is used in WWH, make it maximally prescriptive

4. Dq-scores and handicapping

5. Dq-scores and handicapping
Rule number
USGA
EGA
CONGU GA
3-2 A NA
3-3
6-2b
6-6b
6-6d
NA/A
7-1
A/NA
11-4
15-3b
20-7c
1-2
1-3
3-4
4-1, 4-2, 4-3
4-4c
5-1
5-2
6-3
6-4
6-7
6-8
11-1
14-3
22-1
33-7
Generalizations – conditions apply!

6. Dq-scores and handicapping
Accept dq-scores for handicap purposes in WWH
Technical breaches irrelevant for playing ability
Little room for manipulation
Well-established
Agreement needed on which dq-scores are acceptable?
DO NOT accept dq-scores for handicap purposes in WWH
Counterintuitive
Added complexity, decisions necessary
Few scores
Limited effect
Potential manipulation (but flagging mechanisms)

7. Discussion