How often must we review members' handicaps, and what should we look at?

How often: the committee may review a Handicap Index at any time, and it is strongly recommended to review every member who has your club as their home club at least once a year. A player, or another player, can also ask for a review at any time.

What the review tools do: the handicap software flags players who consistently score above or below their expected range, and recommends an adjustment of up to 2 strokes. Applying it is at the committee's discretion. More than 2 strokes should only be applied in exceptional circumstances, such as illness, injury or temporary disability.

Evidence to consider includes:

• injury, illness or disability affecting the player's scoring,
• handicaps previously held,
• whether their ability is rapidly improving or declining (for example after lessons, or with age),
• differences between formats, such as competition versus social play, or stroke play versus match play,
• the Low Handicap Index, and how long it's been since they played to their index,
• the number of exceptional score reductions and cap applications,
• how often they submit scores compared with previous years, and the share of scores from home, social play and 9-hole rounds,
• information from any other club where they are a member, and
• any sign that the player acted to gain an unfair advantage.

Source: Rules of Handicapping (2024), Rule 7.1a and Appendix D.