Handicap
Every member is entitled to a Golf Canada Handicap Index and is required to establish and maintain an up-to-date and accurate scoring record.
The purpose of the World Handicap System is twofold. First, it makes the game of golf more enjoyable for golfers by providing a means of measuring one’s performance and progress and secondly, it enables golfers of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. Riverside Day Ladies use the system so that every member can participate equally in the planned activities over the season. It helps level the playing field.
The Handicap System is based upon the potential ability of a player rather than the average of all her scores since it is based upon the best scores posted. The average player is expected to play to their Course Handicap or better only about 25 percent of the time.
The idea for a new, unified system was conceived by the USGA and The R&A and developed following an extensive review of systems administered by six existing handicapping authorities – Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions (CONGU) in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association (EGA), the South African Golf Association (SAGA), the Argentine Golf Association (AAG) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Rules of Golf
As the governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada holds the exclusive right to govern, publish and distribute the Rules of Golf in Canada.
The Rules are typically updated every four years through the work of the R&A and the United States Golf Association. A joint committee of these associations, on which the Chair of Golf Canada’s Rules and Amateur Status Committee sits, is charged with revising, modernizing and improving the Rules of Golf. These two documents form the complete Rules of Golf that are used universally throughout the world of golf.
For clubs or committees in charge of competitions, the Conditions of Competition and Standard Local Rules that Golf Canada implements at all championships is posted for your reference. In addition, a list of local rules that should be considered is available on this website.
