This Fair Play & Handicap Policy (“Policy”) establishes the standards, rules, and enforcement mechanisms governing handicap use and fair competition for the Club Championship 2026 (the “Tournament”). The Tournament is committed to:
This Policy applies to all participants, including amateur and professional players where applicable.
The Tournament recognizes and adopts the following as governing authorities:
In the event of conflict, Tournament-specific rules and this Policy shall prevail.
This Policy applies to:
This Policy covers handicap eligibility, calculation, verification, monitoring, adjustment, and enforcement.
Players must hold a valid Handicap Index issued by a recognized golf association operating under the World Handicap System.
Acceptable Handicap Indexes must:
The Tournament imposes a maximum Handicap Index limit of 28 for all players of all genders.
Players are solely responsible for:
Prior to competition, the Tournament Committee may:
Handicap Indexes may be monitored throughout the Tournament, including:
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to adjust a player’s Playing Handicap for competition purposes if evidence indicates the Handicap Index does not reflect current playing ability.
Handicap manipulation includes, but is not limited to:
Failure to comply with WHS rules or Tournament requirements may be treated as a breach of this Policy, whether intentional or negligent.
The Tournament Committee has full authority to:
Decisions will be based on a balance of probabilities, considering:
Players are expected to cooperate fully with any investigation. Failure to do so may result in sanctions.
Depending on the severity and intent of the breach, sanctions may include:
Sanctions may be applied retroactively where appropriate.
Where the Tournament Committee determines that a player has performed significantly better than their demonstrated Handicap Index — including, but not limited to, performances approximately ten (10) strokes or more below expected scoring level — CGC may apply an Exceptional Score Reduction (“ESR”).
An ESR may include the assignment of a revised Tournament Playing Handicap, including the application of a Tier 3 classification, for the remainder of the Tournament. In such cases, CGC may determine a revised handicap considered more representative of the player’s demonstrated playing ability, including reductions of approximately fifty percent (50%) of the player’s current WHS Handicap Index where deemed appropriate.
The application, extent, and duration of any ESR shall remain at the sole discretion of CGC.
In addition to the application of an Exceptional Score Reduction (ESR), CGC reserves the right to impose further penalties, including suspension or disqualification from the Tournament, where a player or team is deemed to have breached the Tournament Rules, this Policy, the Code of Conduct, or otherwise acted in a manner that compromises the integrity, fairness, or spirit of the competition.
All such determinations, disciplinary actions, and enforcement measures shall remain at the sole discretion of CGC.
Players may appeal a decision under this Policy by submitting a written appeal within 48 hours.
Appeals will be reviewed by an internal CGC panel or senior committee not involved in the original decision.
All appeal decisions are final and binding.
All handicap data, investigations, and decisions will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws and Tournament privacy policies.
Information will be disclosed only to parties with a legitimate need to know.
The Tournament will:
Ignorance of the Policy will not be accepted as a defense.
This Policy may be amended at any time by the Tournament Organizing Committee. Updated versions will be published and communicated to participants.
By entering the Tournament, all players acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with this Fair Play & Handicap Policy.
