News in the handicap scoring system. Appendix Z disappears. Sounds like the “X-Files” of golf.
Readers may wonder what Appendix Z is. Understandable. It was an exception present only in Europe, whereby, within a certain handicap range, the score could only go down, but never up. In Spain, anyone with a handicap between 36 and 26.5 could only improve their score. For example, if it dropped to 32, it could not go back to 32.1. If it improved to 28, that was the ceiling from which it would not rise, even if the actual average was worse. Were you surprised that your handicap wasn’t increasing despite recent performances? Appendix Z was responsible.
In fact, if it dropped below the 26.5 limit, it could only rise back up to that point, but no more. Always downwards, the handicap never went back up even if the actual average of the last twenty tournaments was worse than recorded. The 26.5 limit was a national decision; according to the EGA, the limit could have been chosen at 18.6 or 36. It was decided to be 26.5.
This exception aimed to encourage and not demotivate those high handicaps who were starting to play or trying to return to the sport. However, when a player wanted to raise it to adjust to their level, they had the option to request a review.
However, all this is about to change. In 2020, when the current handicap scoring system was implemented, which is the result of the average of the last 20 qualifying results, a seven-year limit was also imposed on the so-called Appendix Z.
The Royal Spanish Golf Federation has decided to shorten the deadlines and eliminate it from next week. That is, from this Monday, 13th January, it will be possible to increase the handicap even if one is in the range between 36 and 26.5. In fact, now the cap was 36 and it becomes 54, which is the maximum worldwide. There are no longer any barriers. If the level on the course drops, the handicap will rise again.
The question is for those who currently have a handicap, but their actual average is higher, will they undergo any change or adjustment next Monday? That is, today it shows a handicap of 29, but the average of the last tournaments is 30. Will it automatically increase on Monday? The answer is no. It will not be applied retroactively. If currently, the player holds a handicap of 28, but their actual average is 30, what will be done is to subtract two points from each of the last twenty performances to maintain the handicap they have at this moment.
Indeed. From now on, the average will dictate. The handicap can rise and rise… the cap will be 54. From Monday, high handicaps, it’s time to get moving.
