Picton Golf & Country Club 
rules & handicap committee 
Education ~ Communication ~ Accountability

Picton Golf & Country Club is a Member Club Facility of Golf Canada and its provincial association Golf Ontario.

As a member club, Picton Golf & Country Club has entered into a license agreement which allows us to use the official Golf Canada Handicap System, to offer the system to our members and to issue Golf Canada Handicap Indexes. The Handicap License Agreement stipulates that we must have a valid and operational Rules & Handicap Committee to supervise golf activities, provide peer review, and maintain the integrity of the Golf Canada Handicap System. The use of the Golf Canada Handicap System may be withdrawn and the license agreement terminated should we fail to uphold the requirements.
Click to read the License Agreement.

The Rules & Handicap Committee play a vital role in the successful administration of a player's Handicap Index and is equipped with tools to intervene when the calculated Handicap Index is no longer reflective of the player's demonstrated ability. It is the responsibility of the Rules & Handicap Committee to ensure the integrity and correct application of the handicap system, and to make certain that the members comply with the Rules of Handicapping. The Committee also offers support and education and is equipped to take disciplinary action when necessary.

Members of the 2024 Rules & Handicap Committee are: Debbie Rankin (co-chair), Judi Edwards (co-chair), Alice Carlson, Don Rodney, Richard Linnett and Scott Bigg.If you have any questions or concerns, we would love to hear from you.
Please CLICK HERE to contact the Rules & Handicap Committee. 

The Handicap System
The purpose  of the Handicap System is to make the game of golf more enjoyable by enabling players of differing abilities to compete on an equitable basis. Two basic principles underlie the Handicap System, namely that each player will try to make the best possible score at every hole in every round, regardless of where the round is played, and that the player will post every acceptable round for peer review. 

Please note, The Golf Canada Handicap System exists for the benefit of golfers who enter competitions. It is acknowledged that some golfers do not wish to maintain a handicap and consequently, may not enter competitive events.

The World Handicap System
Adopted for the 2020 Season, and in compliance with Golf Canada, the World Handicap System continues to be in effect. This new unified system promotes a more accurate calculation of handicap indexes that is portable from course to course and country to country. Handicap Indexes are more responsive and more reflective of a player's demonstrated ability.

2024 will bring some changes and updates to the World Handicap System - Stay tuned for details.

The Key to Understanding Handicaps.
This section provides great information, including an easy to understand Overview and valuable tips from how to get a handicap, to posting scores, how to use the Stroke Index Allocation and understanding the maximum adjusted score of NET DOUBLE BOGEY.

How To Keep Your Score Posting Record Accurate
This section contains important information on keeping your scored posting record accurate, including how to apply rules to post scores for partial rounds, rounds where one or more holes are not played or where holes are started but not finished.

Handicap Policy
The Club is required to have a Handicap Policy that is clearly written and available for review to all members. Click to read the Club's Handicap Policy.

 

The Rules of Golf

Perhaps one of the most important Rules of Golf is outlined in Rule 1.3b, which states:
Players are responsible for applying the Rules to themselves.

We encourage all members to be familiar with the Rules of Golf and to apply them to the best of their abilities. Learning the rules can be challenging, especially for beginners. The Rules of Golf are updated every few years, and a new update was rolled out for 2023. Click to view The Rules of Golf on Golf Canada website. Copies can be ordered through the Pro Shop or from Golf Canada.

What's new for the Rules of Golf in 2023?
Click to access the 5 Key Changes for 2023.
Click to access the Comparison Chart for changes from 2019 to 2023.

In addition, the Rules & Handicapping Committee is here to assist. It is our aim to help you better understand both the Rules and Golf and the Rules of Handicapping through communication and education. 

Local Rules: The Rules of Golf govern all play, except as modified by Local Rules
Click to review all local rules pertaining to play.

Communication from your Rules & Handicap Committee.
Through the season your Handicap Committee will issue bulletins, notices and e-blasts with information to assist you in understanding Rules & Handicapping and your role in upholding the Handicap System. Once issued, these message will also be archived below for reference.

2024 Rules and Handicapping News

Dispute Resolution
From time to time, players in competitions require assistance in the application of rules or in resolution of on-course actions or breach of rules. Click to access the Dispute Resolution Section, which outlines important information on the Dispute Resolution procedure.