Category: News

Samatha Coulter, outgoing Lady Captain, congratulates Patricia Magee on assuming the duties of Lady Captain for the 2024-25 season.

Denis Keenan, outgoing Club Captain, congratulates Martin Hyde on become the new Club Captain for the 2024-25 season.

New lady captain Samantha Coulter presents Campbell Trophy to Lorna  Stevenson

Outgoing Captain Joyce Dodd congratulates Samantha Coulter as the New lady captain.

New Captain, Denis Keenan, is presented with his blazer by outgoing captain, John Carson.

Take a look at the team getting ready for the winter season with some maintenance of the 2nd Green.

On November 2nd, the World Handicap System (WHS) will come into effect in Ireland alongside the other Home Unions of England, Scotland and Wales.

While the previous CONGU Handicapping System was an incremental one, the WHS is an averaging system based using the best 8 of the last 20 scores on your record.

This new system will provide maximum enjoyment for all by enabling all golfers, from anywhere in the world, to play and compete with others on a fair basis.

At this point, all handicap records are in the process of being transferred to the new WHS system, which will replace Golfnet. Here are some things you will need to consider in preparation for the new system.

Do I need to do anything to transfer my handicap to the new WHS?
No, your handicap records will be automatically transferred and your club has been given access to the WHS platform in advance.

As the site comes online, which is likely to be during the afternoon or early evening on 2nd November, you will be able to create a new WHS system account. You will do this using your eight-digit CDH number and 4-digit PIN, both of which are printed on the rear of your GUI/ILGU Member Card. This will allow you to view your handicap index and further details of where to create this account will be shared on November 2nd.

If your PIN is missing from the back of your card, you can look it up on Golfnet or ask your Handicap Secretary to get it for you from Golfnet.

If you have lost your card then your club must order a new card for you.

What if my handicap has changed significantly?
Don’t panic!

It is likely that your handicap index will change from your current CONGU handicap. This change is not an exact science as the data from an old system (CONGU) has been used to calculate new WHS Indices. While this has been done as accurately as possible, there will be some anomalies.

The Handicap Index you view on November 2nd will fluctuate as you begin to submit eligible scores under the new system.

However, if you feel that your handicap index is significantly inaccurate there is a recommended process to follow:

Members should first address their query to their Handicap Secretary/Committee.

Your club knows you and your playing ability. In the vast majority of cases your club will be able to make an adjustment to your Handicap Index and resolve the situation for you quickly. It must also be noted that this transition has been a huge effort for your club Handicap Secretary/Committee, all of whom are volunteers. We ask that you consider this workload when asking for your query to be addressed.

If the Handicap Secretary/Committee cannot answer the query, the Handicap Secretary should forward it to the ILGU Handicap Advisor or GUI Handicapping Convenor/Branch Office.

If the Handicap Advisor/Convenor/Branch cannot answer the query it should be forwarded to handicapping@golfireland.ie for the attention of the National Handicap Committee.

If necessary, Golf Ireland will refer the query to the WHS Committee.
The process of accurately assigning scores to courses/tees has been challenging. Scores from the old system were never linked with a course/set of tees. So, we’ve had to apply a set of rules to try to map scores to courses in the new system. Whilst this process has worked for the vast majority of scores, there are some scores that have been assigned to courses/tees other than those played on the day. In cases where this has a material effect on the calculation of the WHS Index, we’re working with your Handicapping Committee to apply a fix. Please bear with us over the coming weeks, while we complete this process.
How do I use my new WHS Handicap Index?
Golf Ireland have provided Course & Slope Rating tables to all golf clubs. These tables should be positioned in clear locations around the club making it simple for golfers to find prior to beginning their round.

You simply have to choose the tees you are playing off that day and cross reference your Handicap Index on the Course & Slope Rating table to ascertain your Course Handicap. Different tees on the same course could have varying slope ratings. Your Course Handicap determines the number of strokes you give or receive off the tee set you intend to play from.

Then, depending on the format you are playing (singles, fourball etc.) you will apply a handicap allowance to your course handicap which will present you with your playing handicap.

For example: The recommended handicap allowance for individual stroke play events is 95% which means a player could have a course handicap of 15 but a playing handicap of 14.

More information on the World Handicap System can be found at www.golfnet.ie/whs

It is not necessary for play to take place on both days over the weekend for the competition to go ahead. Prizes will be a follows;

If at least 14 players play across Saturday or Sunday, 1 turkey will be on offer

If over 25, 2 turkeys

If over 40, 3 turkeys

Players are asked to continue to return their scores electronically.

Thank you, Crossgar GC

Please find below, guidance which applies to golf club activities in clubs situated in Northern Ireland under the NI Executives COVID Plan, which takes effect from 16 October at 6 pm. 

At a time when the trajectory of the disease is not where we want it to be, it is essential that all golf clubs operate within this guidance – and in doing so continue to show the high levels of safety consciousness that has been a feature since reopening. 

We encourage golfers to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their pre-booked tee time, to play their game and depart the facility as soon as possible afterwards. Clubs are reminded that no social gatherings can take place at the club. 

It is essential that all club officials and members familiarise themselves with this guidance, and play their part in ensuring our sport remains open and accessible at this uncertain time.

Following the NI Executives announcement in relation to increased restrictions due to COVID-19, golf clubs and golfers must continue to adhere to the following:

•  Clubs may continue activities which are qualifying for handicapping purposes
•  No social gatheringsat the facility.
•  Staff Members should work from home where at all possible
•  Members, their guests, visitors and staff with colds or any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay away from the golf course/clubhouse.
•  Physical distancing rules are observed by all members and their guests at all times in the car park, clubhouse and on the course. 
•  Personnel are on hand to monitor adherence with physical distancing rules and the rules for golfers set out in this document.
•  Tee times are booked in advance online or over the telephone. Clubs must ensure that players names (including members’ guests and visitors) are recorded on timesheets and timesheets must be kept for a period of at least 6 weeks to assist with contact tracing should the need arise.
•  Daily timesheets are restricted to a minimum of 8, 9 or 10 minute intervals. Clubs may only choose one interval for each day. If clubs choose 8+ minute intervals, play is restricted to 2 golfers per start time. If clubs choose 9+ minutes, up to 3 golfers may play per start time. If clubs choose 10+ minutes, up to 4 golfers may play per start time.
•  Those aged 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home. Specific Government guidance will be provided.
•  All cafes and restaurants, including bars, should only offer takeaway or delivery service.
•  Clubhouse access should be confined to use of toilet facilities (provided they can be kept clean) and initial retrieval of golf equipment from lockers. If toilet facilities are open, clubs should adopt a one-in, one-out approach.
•  Players are instructed not to touch the flag or flagstick.
•  Rakes are removed from the course. Players are requested to smooth bunkers using their feet or a club. (See Appendix 2 as previously published for measures which can be taken in qualifying situations)
•   Hire Trolleys (electric and pull trolleys) must be sanitised prior to each use.
•  The use of golf buggies is discouraged. Where a golf buggy must be used, it should be used by one person only (except where an individual has a disability/additional needs),  and it cannot be exchanged between people during the round. Members of the same household may share a buggy and buggies must be sanitized thoroughly after each use.​​
•  Caddies are not permitted (exception: where the group of golfers and the caddies are from the same household or an individual has a disability/additional needs).

Further guidance will be issued to clubs online as and when NI Executive government change these restrictions.

We await further guidance from the N Ireland Executive on the following matters:

Gatherings of no more than 15 people – Inside including that for Committee Meetings & Outdoor in relation to non-contact training

We will update clubs with this information as soon as it is available