Scratch golfer manual#

It was not until the formation of the British Golf Unions Joint Advisory Committee in 1924 that the men's game fully coordinated to create an equitable handicap system, that included a uniform course rating, throughout Great Britain and Ireland the Standard Scratch Score and Handicapping Scheme was introduced in 1926. This was largely achieved by means of union assigned course ratings, instead of clubs using their own. One of the first standard and equitable handicap systems was introduced by the Ladies Golf Union (LGU) in the 1890s. In an attempt to remedy the problems with a fairly basic handicap system, along with many variations of that system and other systems also being used, the authorities in Great Britain and Ireland sought to standardize. Another issue was the lack of consideration in the system for the varying difficulties of different courses which meant the handicap was not very portable. As the sport grew, so did discontent with the fairness of handicapping, with less proficient players being particularly unhappy as it was much less likely for them to play to the standard of their three score average. ĭuring the late 19th century, taking the difference between the average of a golfer's best three scores during the year and par became the most widely used method of handicapping in England and Scotland.

Scratch golfer manual#

According to The Golfer's Manual by Henry Brougham Farnie, examples of agreed terms included 'third-one' (one stroke every three holes), 'half-one' (one stroke every two holes), 'one more' (a stroke a hole) and 'two more' (two strokes a hole). The number of strokes to be given and the holes on which they would be in effect was negotiated between competing golfers prior to the start of play. The earliest record of golf handicapping is thought to be from the late 17th century, in a diary kept by Thomas Kincaid, who was a student in Edinburgh, Scotland, although the word handicap would not come into use in golf until the late 19th century.