AYRSHIRE GOLF ASSOCIATION COMPETITIONS - Rules addition to clarify scorecard and stroke index allocation and use.

It has recently been brought to the attention of The Association that there have been instances of clubs playing over the same course but using a variety of scorecards and stroke index allocations, which differ from the cards and stroke indexes issued by the course owners, and recorded on file by Scottish Golf.

After consultation with Scottish Golf staff, The Ayrshire Golf Association have agreed to an addition to the General Rules of all Ayrshire Golf Association events, under 

HANDICAPS & SCORING Rule 5. (e), 

to clarify the position in relation to Ayrshire Golf Association competitions, in both strokeplay and matchplay competitions, going forward.

The complete rule now reads:-

5. Handicaps & Scoring

a) All entrants must be in a possession of a WHS Handicap Index.

b) The WHS Handicap Index certified at close of entry will be used for all purposes.

c) It is the entrants’ responsibility to ensure that their WHS Handicap Index is up to date at all times. The Ayrshire Golf Association will take no responsibility for any out-of-date WHS Handicap Index used for balloting or any other purpose.

d) The maximum individual handicap index, under the World Handicap System, permissible in Ayrshire Golf Association competitions is 36.0, unless otherwise stated for any specific competition.

e) Where clubs are attached to and play Ayrshire Golf Association competitions and ties over municipal courses owned by local authorities, or on courses owned by another club or relevant body, the scorecard and related stroke index allocation which must be used in Ayrshire Golf Association competitions are only those that are approved and issued by the course owners. 

This rule change will be effective from 0900HRS on Thursday 15th May 2025, and must be complied with in all Ayrshire Golf Association competitions after that time.

This rule addition will be most relevant to clubs playing over municipal courses, and in summary means that from the 15th of May only the scorecards and stroke indexes issued and allocated by the course owners will be in use in Ayrshire Golf Association events, and the use of any club varied alternatives will not be permitted.

This ruling applies to all strokeplay and matchplay competitions administered by The Ayrshire Golf Association.

The decision and rule addition has been emailed to all Club Secretaries of member Clubs, and the published version of the rules on the web page will be updated in the near future.

If any clubs have questions in relation to the decision, they should contact The Area Secretary in the first instance.