Since the World Handicap System, does CONGU still exist?

Just to let you know what the position is with CONGU, now that the World Handicap System is in place.

The answer is yes, CONGU still exists but not in its previous format.

Originally formed on 14th February 1924 and known as The British Golf Unions Joint Advisory Committee, on 21st March 1960 the Committee’s name was changed to the Council of National Golf Unions (“CONGU”) comprising representatives of The English Golf Union, The Golfing Union of Ireland, The Scottish Golf Union, The Welsh Golfing Union and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

Since that day CONGU has always maintained the Handicapping System in GB&I

The position with CONGU in 2022 is that following the introduction of the World Handicap System, which passes all maintenance of Handicapping to National Organisations, there is no longer a handicapping system that CONGU needs to support, so, as a handicapping system maintaining body, it no longer exists. 

However, because CONGU has signed the World Handicap System licence, on behalf of the home unions, and then delegates the authority to those home unions, those representing the home unions on the board of CONGU are now simply those employed by the home unions and there are no longer any formal committees (e.g., the Technical Committee which previously maintained the system and Website).

Strictly speaking, therefore, it does still exist, but the CONGU Website is now just a single page showing links to the four home unions and the R&A.

One thing I will point out is that all the resources that were previously on the CONGU Website are no longer available there.  Those documents should now be available on each of the home union Websites (e.g., the Mixed Tee Calculator, which is now certainly on the England Golf Website as I have checked that out).

England Golf have given an assurance that all the other relevant documents will also become available in the very near future (if not already). I can’t make any comment about the other three unions, although I have been assured that Scotland will publish most of those documents where there are variations because of their decision to use the exact Course Handicap in all Handicap calculations.

England, Wales and Ireland opted for the simpler approach, for players at least, to use the rounded Course Handicap (as that is what the player can easily determine by looking at the handicap boards which are displayed at her/his Golf Club).

Enjoy your golf

Tony

CONGU Unified Handicapping System – RIP

Getting to grips with the World Handicap System is presenting some of you with problems.

But now that England Golf and Independent Software Vendors are managing to overcome some of the teething problems it is evident, from the many emails I am receiving, that many of you, who can play golf at the moment, are doing so and entering and organising a number of competitions.

In1983 the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) introduced the Unified Handicapping System) UHS) to GB&I for the first time.

It was based on the Australian Handicapping System and has stood us in good stead since then.

But on 2^nd November 2020, the World Handicap System (WHS) was introduced bringing together and regularising six different Handicap Systems.

So, what does this mean for us and organisers of competitions?

Firstly, a steep learning curve because there are many changes to get used to and implement.

Secondly, the CONGU UHS Manual no longer applies as a source of reference and we must turn to new publications for information on Handicapping.

The sources we must now use and rely on are:

1. England Golf Rules of Handicapping
2. CONGU – Guidance on Rules of Handicapping as Applied to GB&I and
3. Guide for Committees on the effect of 2019 Rules of Golf on CONGU Handicapping

Unfortunately, the Guidance on Rules of Handicapping as Applied to GB&I, is not as clear and precise as the old CONGU UHS Manual, and no doubt will be re-written over time, but it is all we have at the moment.

But love it or hate it, the WHS is here to stay and once understood and used properly will, in my opinion, provide a much fairer Handicapping System for all.

Keep safe

Tony

Hello

Hope you all have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to a New Year of Golf.

Just a quick note to let you know that CONGU have just released their 2019 Version of the UHS Handbook.

You will be able to download a Player’s Quick Guide, Secretaries Quick Guide and a Full Version of the Manual if you click on Quick Guide to 2019 CONGU UHS.

Happy New Year and good golf!

Tony

Email: [email protected]

Rules Blog: www.my-golf.uk