Most recent Boardtalk - Apr 2010
Previous Issues of Boardtalk
| Jan 2010 | |||
| Jan 2009 | Apr 2009 | ||
| Jan 2008 | Apr 2008 | Aug 2008 | Oct 2008 |
| Jan 2007 | Apr 2007 | Jul 2007 | Oct 2007 |
| Board of management | Women’s general committee |
| Men’s Match Committee | Women’s Match Committee |
| Previous Title Holders: | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
From 1 February 2010 the exact Australian Handicap will be calculated from a rolling sample of the player’s previous 20 scores.
The handicap formula is based on averaging the best handicap differentials in a player’s handicap record. If a player’s handicap record contains 20 scores, the best 10 handicap differentials are used to calculate the player’s exact handicap. As the number of scores in the player’s handicap record increases (starting at 3 and then increasing to 20 as the player returns more scores), the percentage of these scores that are used to calculate the player’s handicap also increases.
Once a player’s handicap record contains 20 scores, the next score they return will result in the oldest of the existing 20 scores being removed (to be replaced by the new score). Hence, the handicap record is considered to be a ‘rolling sample’ of the player’s scores
The new procedure for calculating an Australian Women’s Handicap and an Australian Men’s Handicap will be as follows:
| Step 1: | Average the handicap differentials (10 of the last 20 scores). | |
| Step 2: | Multiply the average by 0.96. | |
| Step 3: | Delete all numbers after the tenths’ digit (Do NOT round to the nearest tenth). | |
| Step 4: | The playing handicap is determined by rounding off the exact handicap (.5 or more is rounded up). |
Handicaps can be applied in two ways, depending on the kind of game being played.
Stroke Play: Every stroke played is recorded and totalled for each hole. The player's handicap is subtracted from the total for 18 holes to become the nett score.
| Example | Strokes played 1st 9 holes | = | 39 | |
| Strokes played 2nd 9 holes | = | 41 | ||
| Total strokes played | = | 80 | (Gross Score) | |
| Less handicap | -12 | |||
| 68 | (Nett Score) |
Stableford and Par: Each hole on the course has been given a stroke index rating, ranging from 1 to 18 (1 being assessed as the most difficult hole and 18 the easiest to par). In these matches, the handicap is applied hole by hole. If a player has a handicap of 18, that player has one handicap stroke on each of the 18 holes. Where the handicap is greater than 18, two handicap strokes are given on each hole between 18 and the handicap number on the card.
Example: A handicap of 27 attracts one stroke on every hole, plus an additional stroke on each of the 9 holes with two index ratings. Conversely, a handicap of 12 would receive only one stroke on those holes indexed 1 to 12.
For Stableford and Par events, results are awarded depending on the number of strokes taken at each hole, reduced by the players handicap available for that hole. In Stableford, points are awarded while in Par, scoring is done using the symbols plus (+), half (0), and minus (-), according to the strokes taken, and reduced by handicap.
| Example: | Nett Result | Stableford | Par |
| Eagle (2 strokes nett under par) | 4 points | + Plus | |
| Birdie (1 stroke nett under par) | 3 points | + Plus | |
| Par (nett equals par) | 2 points | 0 Half | |
| Bogey (1 stroke nett over par) | 1 points | - Minus | |
| Double Bogey (2 strokes nett over) | Nil | - Minus |
In Stableford and Par events, when a player has exhausted all strokes and handicap available for the hole being played, and thus cannot score a point in Stableford, or a half in Par, he should pick up his ball and prepare to move to the next tee.
Four Ball Best Ball Competitions (4BBB)
Two players play as partners each taking strokes at holes as in a par or stableford competition. In a four-ball handicap event, care must be taken to mark the scores of each player in separate columns headed by the initials of the player. If the scores are mixed and it is impossible for the committee to check the card the players will be disqualified.
Ambrose
An ambrose can be played as a two, three or four ball. Players play tee shots at each hole, then select the ball in the best position and subsequently all play from that position by dropping within one club length in the rough or in the fairway. All drops are to result in the ball being played from the same condition as the selected shot. (i.e. if the selected ball is in the rough, then the remaining shots are to be played from the rough). This procedure continues until the ball is holed out. When on the green, players should place their ball within one card length of the selected ball, no nearer the hole. Players can play in any order at all times. Handicaps for ambrose competitions are:
| four players | - 1/8 of the total handicaps | |
| three players | - 1/6 of the total handicaps | |
| two players | - 1/4 of the total handicaps |
Foursomes
Two players play as partners and use one ball. The partners hit-off alternately from the tee and thereafter hit the ball alternately during the play at each hole. Scoring is done as for a stroke round and the total is subject to half the player’s total handicaps.
Canadian Foursomes
Played as for foursomes except that both players play tee shots at every hole and then select the best ball and continue with the ball nominated. The ball selected is played by their partner. Handicap is 3/8 of the player’s total handicaps.
American Foursomes
Both players play tee shots at each hole then play a second stroke with their partner’s ball. The best ball is selected and play proceeds as in foursomes with the owner of the ball selected playing the third stroke. Handicap is 3/8 of the player’s total handicaps.
Matchplay
In "Handicap Match Play" the stroke handicap of the player is reduced by the handicap of the lowest marker who then plays off scratch. Handicaps are applied to the Match Index on the score card in the same manner normal handicaps are applied to the stroke index. Where there is more than 18 strokes difference between handicaps, players receive 2 strokes per hole where applicable.
Example: In a Match Play competition Player A’s handicap is 8 and his opponent, player B is off 14. Player A plays off scratch and Player B gets strokes on Match Indexed holes 1-6 inclusive on the scorecard.
Eclectic
Competitors play two or more rounds and the eclectic score is the lowest score obtained at each hole on the rounds.
Count-Back Procedure
Count-back will be used for all events except championships. In a handicap competition which ends in a tie, count-back shall apply the correct proportion of the players handicap (fractions to count).
For 18 hole events, best score for the last 9 holes shall be used; if there is still a tie the last 6 holes, or if still tied the last three holes. If a tie still persists then hole by hole from the 18th.
For 27, 36, 54 and 72 hole events the last 18 holes shall be used and if still tied the count back method for 18 holes above will be used. The last 9 holes means holes 10 to 18 irrespective of where players commence matches.
In Championships, players who are tied, shall play-off over a number of holes published in the match conditions, or as decided by the Match Committee on the day.
Between February and December, regular competitions are held on Thursdays and Saturdays for women and Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for men. There is also a medley competition on Tuesdays in which both men and women may play.
Competitions for men and women are held over the Christmas/ New Year holiday period.
During daylight saving, a 9 hole competition (known as the Wine Run) is held every Tuesday or Thursday These are very social events and are lots of fun as a handicap formula is applied giving everyone a chance to win along the way. Note that non-members are required to pay green fees.
Club competitions in which players compete for trophies and/or prizes provided by the Club and its sponsors are scheduled matches for Members and their invited Guests ONLY. Country members, visitors and guests may not participate in Medal and Championship events. Club competitions for Men are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Club competitions for Women are held on Thursday and Saturday.
Note that in Woman’s competitions, only club members may win trophies, except for Open and Guest days
Members and guests are welcome to use the course each day of the week for a social game outside competition times. Green fees apply for all guests. All players are required to carry a sand bucket and repair fairway divots and ball marks on the greens.
Reciprocal Rights have been arranged between RMC Golf Club and the following clubs:
| Puckapunyal Golf Club | Puckapunyal, Vic | |
| RAAF Amberley Golf Club | Amberley, Qld | |
| RAAF Kingswood Golf Club | Orchard Hills, NSW | |
| RAE Golf Club | Moorebank, NSW | |
| HMAS Cerberus Golf Club | Western Port, Vic | |
| Lavarack Barracks Golf Club | Townsville, Qld | |
| RAAF Darwin Golf Club | Darwin NT | |
| Merewether Golf Club | Adamstown NSW |
Reciprocal Rights (in brief)
On production of proof of membership, members of reciprocal clubs shall be eligible to use the facilities of the respective club. Such members may;
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Page last updated: May 1, 2010
