Hannnah Darling wins the R&A Girls Amateur Chmpionship

Hannah Darling fought off a late comeback bid from Beth Coulter to continue her dream summer and win the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship at Fulford.

The 18-year-old Scot began the week with selection to the Great Britain and Ireland team for this month’s Curtis Cup at Conwy – and ended it in style by defeating Ireland’s Coulter by two holes yesterday.

Darling lived up to her status as the highest-ranked player in the field – currently 27th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® – and continues a superb spell of golf this year.

The Broomieknowe Golf Club member has also won the St Rule Trophy, finished runner-up at the Helen Holm Scottish Women’s Open Championship, and reached the semi-finals of The Women’s Amateur Championship and Scottish Women’s Amateur Championship.

To read the full report go to the 

R&A WEBSITE  or the  SCOTTISH GOLF WEBSITE

LOUISE DUNCAN IS CROWNED THE 2021 BRITISH WOMENS AMATEUR CHAMPION

Louise Duncan (2021 British Women's Open Champion)
Photo courtesy of the R&A

West Kilbride’s Louise Duncan wrote her name in the record books as she won the R&A Women’s Championship final by the biggest margin in the event’s 128-year history. 

The 21-year-old Stirling University scholar crushed Iceland’s Johanna Lea Ludviksdottir 9&8 in the 36-hole title decider at Kilmarnock (Barassie) to become the first Scot since Alison Rose in 1997 to claim the coveted title. 

The success has secured spots for Duncan, who is coached by Iain Darroch at West Kilbride, in this year’s AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie and Evian Championship in France, as well as next year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur and US Women’s Open.

She will be the first Scot to compete in the Augusta National event, which was held for the first time in 2019.

READ FULL REPORT FROM THE R&A WEBSITE 

WATCH THE BRITISH AMATEUR FINAL STREAMING ON YOU TUBE LIVE -- GOOD LUCK LOUISE DUNCAN

Live coverage of The Women's Amateur Final at Kilmarnock (Barassie). -- 100 FANS ALLOWED IN THE DOORS FOR THE 36 FINAL Scotland's Louise Duncan faces Jóhanna Lea Lúðvíksdóttir of Iceland for the prestigious title, and the opportunity to play in three major championships.  

The commentary team will be led by Dougie Donnelly, Mickey Walker and Kit Alexander. They will be joined on course by Trish Johnson and George Harper Jnr.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE STREAMING ON YOU TUBE 

 LIVE SCORING OF THE FINAL OF THE BRITISH WOMENS AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP -- 36 HOLES

West of Scotland's Louise Duncan reaches the Quarterfinals of the Women's British Championship

Louise Duncan

Shannon McWilliam (Aboyne) Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) and Hannah Darling (Broomieknowe) have all qualified for the quarterfinals tomorrow at Kilmarnock Barassie in the Women’s British Amateur Championship 

Hannah Darling won in the morning against Rachael Foster ( Prestwick St Nicholas) by 1 hole and then had to go to the 22nd Hole this afternoon with a wonderful finish.   One  down after 17 she birdie the 18th to go to sudden death - Both had birdies at the 19th and par’d the 20th and 21st. Hannah then birdied the 21st Hole to progress to the quarterfinals  

West Kilbride’s Louise Duncan  had an easier day defeating Sara Byrne 6&4 this afternoon after finishing her morning match against Lottie Woad on the 16th hole in a 3&2 win.

Tomorrow she has set up a match with Jessica Baker who earned her place in the Quarter Final by winning the final three holes of her tie against Emma Allen for a 2 hole victory. 

To read the full report go to the R&A Website

CLICK HERE FOR ROUND 2 MATCHPLAY RESULTS

CLICK HERE FOR ROUND 3 MATCHPLAY RESULTS

9 Scots through to the 2nd Round of the British Women's Amateur Championship

9 Scots have made it through to the 2nd round go the Women's British Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock Barassie  -- 

Shannon McWillian (Aboyne), Grace Crawford (West Links Junior)  Lorna McClymont (Milngavie), Hazel Macgarvie (Royal Troon), Louise Duncan (West Kilbride) , Hannah Darling, ( Broomieknowe), Rachael Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas)  Carmen Griffiths (Aboyne) and Jasmine Mackintosh (Murcar Links) have all made it through to the 2nd round. 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE R&A WEBSITE FOR THE FULL REPORT

CLICK HERE FOR MATCHPLAY DRAW

12 Scots make it through to Matchplay stages of the British Amateur Championship

Leading Scoreboard

Iceland’s Ragnhildur Kristinsdóttir recorded the lowest round of the week to finish as the leading qualifier for the match play stage of The 118th Women’s Amateur Championship at Kilmarnock (Barassie)

FINAL SCOREBOARD

To read the full report CLICK HERE

12 Scots have made it through to the Matchplay Stages which begins tomorrow -- including West of Scotland's Louise Duncan (West Kilbride), Lorna McClymont (Milngavie) Hazel Macgarvie (Royal Troon), Rachael Foster (Prestwick St Nicholas), Jennifer Rankine (Haggs Castle) and Luisa Gibson (Irvine Bogside)

Matchplay stages Women’s Amateur Championship

BRITISH LADIES AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS TODAY AT KILMARNOCK BARASSIE

Scotland’s Hannah Darling leads the field at The 118th Women’s Amateur Championship after the first round of qualifying at Kilmarnock Barassie today

Darling recorded an opening round of five-under-par 68 at Kilmarnock (Barassie) to lead by three shots from 2019 Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy of England. 

England’s Lottie Woad, Amy Taylor and Ellie Gower as well as Hulda Clara Gestsdóttir of Iceland recorded rounds of one-under-par 72 to be tied third with a group of five players recording even-par rounds.  

The top 64 players after two rounds of qualifying will advance to the match play stage of the Championship.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORT

LEADERBOARD 

R&A -- PACE OF PLAY MANUAL AN INTERESTING READ

A practical guide that brings together a wide selection of solutions to pace of play issues, focussing on management practices, course set-up and player behaviour.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE R&A WEBSITE

GET THE RULES FROM CLAIRE HARGAN IN THE R&A RULES SKOOL OPEN

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE R&A WEBSITE  -- FOR THE QUESTIONS AND QUIZ AND ALSO WATCH THE VIDEO THERE  

WHS INITIAL HANDICAP INDEX EXPLAINED

The new World Handicap System (WHS) will be launched in Scotland, and the rest of GB and I, next week - Monday 2nd November

The current golf handicapping system maintained by CONGU will be replaced by WHS which will unify the six different structures currently in operation throughout the world of golf.

WHS Initial Handicap Index Calculation Explained

From Thursday 23rd October Scottish Golf started the World Handicap System (WHS) transition process of golfer handicaps as we move to implement the new WHS. The main part of this transition was the calculation of every current CONGU Handicap into a WHS Index and golfers may have noticed their projected handicap has changed several times over the last few days as we aligned the data from the two systems.

To find out more about how we have generated initial handicap values that are as accurate as possible, please click here to access the WHS Initial Handicap Index document. This document also aims to answer some of the additional questions members may have around the process. 

WHS - What Are the Soft and Hard Cap ? - DAY 9

A player’s Low Handicap Index is remembered within the handicap formula – this is the lowest Handicap Index they have held within the last 12 months. 

The Low Handicap Index provides a reference point against which the current Handicap Index can be compared.

This is to help ensure that the player’s current Handicap Index cannot stray too far away from their demonstrated ability, in too short a space of time

If the new Index is more than a certain number of strokes above the Low Handicap Index, the cap is triggered.

The soft cap suppresses upward movement when the difference between the new calculated Index and the Low Index is greater than 3. 

The increase is suppressed by 50% of any value over 3.

The hard cap prevents further upward movement by placing a hard ceiling at 5 above the Low Index.

The soft cap and hard cap procedures only start to take effect once a player has at least 20 acceptable scores in their scoring record

WHS - EXCEPTIONAL SCORES - DAY 8

A score differential which is at least 7.0 strokes or more better than the player’s Handicap Index at the time the round was played.

Score can be from any format of play, competitive or general play and this is not restricted to competition scores.

When a player submits an exceptional score, the handicap formula applies an additional adjustment to the player’s updated Handicap Index.

This adjustment is in addition to any reduction caused within the 8/20 calculation.

The Handicap Committee can override the adjustment if they deem necessary.

WHS - PLAYING CONDITION CALCULATION - DAY 7

 

At the end of each day, a playing conditions calculation (PCC) takes place automatically, behind the scenes, to determine if scores made at the course were significantly higher or lower than expected.

If scores were unusually low or high, a PCC adjustment of between –1 and +3 will be applied to your score differential calculation to reflect the playing conditions on the day. 

When abnormal playing conditions cause scores to be higher or lower than expected on a given day, a Playing Conditions Calculation will adjust score differentials to better reflect the player’s actual performance.

This means that a higher score on a tough day may still be a good score and one of your best 8, used to calculate your updated Handicap Index.

The PCC considers all acceptable scores submitted on a golf course on a given day (all formats, competitive & recreational, 9 & 18 holes).

For a PCC to be calculated, at least eight acceptable scores must be submitted by players with a Handicap Index of 36.0 or below.  The PCC is automatically applied within the calculation of score differentials for all players. 

COURSE AND SLOPE RATING -- DAY 6

As we continue the countdown to 2nd November, the second week of our campaign will focus on: 

Course & Sloping Rating 

Playing Conditions Calculations (PPC) 

Exceptional Score Reduction 

Soft and Hard Cap 

WHS Summary for Golfers

Day 6 - The Course Rating system forms the foundation for the Rules of Handicapping. The system enables handicaps to be portable by adjusting a player’s handicap according to the relative difficulty of the golf course being played.  

What is course rating?

An indication of the difficulty of a golf course for the scratch player under normal course and weather conditions

What is a bogey rating?

An indication of the difficulty of a golf course for the bogey player under normal course and weather conditions

What is a Slope Rating?

A Slope Rating is the number which indicates the relative playing difficulty of a course for bogey golfers, compared to scratch golfers. 

It is the combination of the Course Rating and the Bogey rating that allow us to calculate the Slope Rating of a set of tees.

Details of these ratings for courses across Scotland will be available on the Scottish Golf Website and App from 2nd November 2020 for a course rating database lookup.

Acceptable Scores for the WHS. - Day 5

 

Under WHS, one of the key aims is to provide golfers with more opportunities to submit counting scores.  

Some of the factors that will mean a score is considered acceptable for handicapping purposes, as outlined in the new Rules of Handicapping, include:

• In an authorized format of play; (Strokeplay, Stableford and Par/Bogey).

• Over a minimum number of holes, (9 for 9 holes and 10 for 18 holes) all scores will be scaled up into an 18-hole differential.

• By the Rules of Golf.

• With at least one other person.

• On a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating. 

• During an active season.

• Certified in accordance with Rules of Handicapping

Players must pre-register their intent to submit a score in general play for handicap purposes. General play is a significant benefit under WHS, allowing golfers to, so long as they pre-register and play the game by the WHS requirements, submit any round of golf from any golf course on the globe.  This is a massive opportunity for golfers who wish to consume their golf this way all year round and opens up new opportunities to maintain and obtain a handicap. General play scores can be submitted directly through the Scottish Golf App.

Such pre-registration must be made before the player starts the round, and in the manner prescribed by the Handicap Committee or Scottish Golf.

To find out more about the key features of WHS, click here.

FREQUENCY OF HANDICAP INDEX UPDATE -- DAY 4

The handicap calculation will take place every night at a specific time and a golfer’s new Handicap Index will be calculated ready for the following day. 

It is therefore important that a player submits their score as soon as possible on the day of play, after completion of their round and before midnight (local time).

Golfers must input their gross score for every hole played. If a golfer’s score is not submitted on the day of play it will not be used in the Playing Conditions Calculation.

A golfer will be able to view their new Handicap Index on the Scottish Golf Platform (via the Scottish Golf Website or App) or through their own golf club.

Under WHS, one of the key aims is to provide golfers with more opportunities to submit counting scores.  

Some of the factors that will mean a score is considered acceptable for handicapping purposes, as outlined in the new Rules of Handicapping, include:

• In an authorized format of play; (Strokeplay, Stableford and Par/Bogey).

• Over a minimum number of holes, (9 for 9 holes and 10 for 18 holes) all scores will be scaled up into an 18-hole differential.

• By the Rules of Golf.

• With at least one other person.

• On a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating. 

• During an active season.

• Certified in accordance with Rules of Handicapping

Players must pre-register their intent to submit a score in general play for handicap purposes. General play is a significant benefit under WHS, allowing golfers to, so long as they pre-register and play the game by the WHS requirements, submit any round of golf from any golf course on the globe.  This is a massive opportunity for golfers who wish to consume their golf this way all year round and opens up new opportunities to maintain and obtain a handicap. General play scores can be submitted directly through the Scottish Golf App.

Such pre-registration must be made before the player starts the round, and in the manner prescribed by the Handicap Committee or Scottish Golf.

To find out more about the key features of WHS, click here.

Course and Playing Handicap - WHS - Day 3

 

What is a Course Handicap?

Your Course Handicap will be the number of strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees as determined by the Slope Rating: 

Course Handicap = Handicap Index x slope rating/ 113

For example, for a golfer with a Handicap Index of 12.0, playing a course with a Slope Rating of 127, the calculation would be:

12.0 x (127/113) = 13.5 (14)

Note -  This is the handicap you will put and your card and use when submitting a score, this the important handicap to remember!

Playing Handicap 

The Playing Handicap adjusted for any handicap allowances or Terms of the Competition. It represents the actual number of strokes the player gives or receives for the format of golf being played

Playing Handicap = Course Handicap x Handicap Allowance 

For example, using the above example where the golfer has a Course Handicap of 13.5 and playing a competition with a 95% handicap allowance, the calculation for Playing Handicap would be:

13.5 x 0.95 = 12.8 (13)

Note- This handicap is solely used for the purpose of calculating competition results or when working out allowances for a specific format of play.

Handicap Allowance 

The percentage of a Course Handicap recommended to create equity for all players participating in a specific format of play. See below a list of all formats of play and the recommended. Go to the Scottish Golf Website 

So the most important points to remember are

WHAT IS YOUR HANDICAP ? - CALCULATING YOUR HANDICAP INDEX UNDER WHS -- DAY 2

One of the most common questions golfers will ask each other is, “what is your handicap?”

Under WHS, the way in which a handicap is calculated will change slightly, and golfers will receive a new Handicap Index.

A Handicap Index is designed to represent your demonstrated ability.  It is calculated by averaging the best 8 score differentials out of the most recent 20 within your scoring record. Can be made up of both competition and general play scores.

If your record does not have 20 scores on it already, a modified calculation will be carried out to provide you with a Handicap Index.  This table highlights how this will be done.

A Handicap Index will be the measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty (that is, a course with a Slope Rating of 113).

Your Handicap Index provides you with a portable measure of your demonstrated playing ability that is consistent with how all other golfers will be measured around the world. It can be used to track your progress and to play in a casual or a competitive round with any other player from course to course and country to country.

How do I get one?

For new players:

Once you have joined a golf club and you have submitted scores from a total of 54 holes, made up of 9 or 18-hole scores, you will be allocated an initial Handicap Index. 

You are then able to return competition and general play scores (pre-registered).

For existing club members:

We will be using you existing scores on you CDH record to calculate your Handicap Index

What is a score differential? 

The difference between a player’s adjusted gross score and the Course Rating, taking account of Slope Rating. It is the value ‘played to’ on a specific course on a specific day. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

To find out more about some of the other key features of WHS,  -- CLICK HERE

SCOTTISH GOLF - WHS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BEGINS TODAY - THE PURPOSE OF THE WHS

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Scottish Golf, the governing body for the game in Scotland, has launched its awareness campaign to help educate golfers of all levels about the new World Handicap System (WHS), set to be launched on 2nd November 2020. 

Scotland is the home of golf, with the sport first being played in the 15th century, and this new campaign will provide valuable and insightful information ahead of the changes to how handicaps will be calculated.

WHS aims to offer one, unified system around the world for the first time, giving golfers the ability to obtain and maintain a Handicap Index and use this anytime, anywhere around the world. The system will take playing conditions, course, and slope ratings into account, with a player’s best eight scores in the past 20 games played counting towards their Handicap Index.

The Scottish Golf’s campaign, goes live from today Monday 19th October .

This week, the campaign will focus on: 

• Purpose of WHS 
• Handicap Index 
• Course & Playing Handicap 
• Frequency of Handicap Index Updates 
• Acceptable Scores

In week two, you will receive further assets that will focus on:

• Course & Sloping Rating
• Playing Conditions Calculations (PPC)
• Exceptional Score Reduction
• Soft and Hard Cap
• WHS Summary for Golfers 

DAY 1 -- The purpose of the WHS

With WHS coming into play in Scotland on 2nd November 2020, many golfers across Scotland will be asking, “why are we moving to a new Handicap system?”

WHS aims to provide maximum enjoyment for all who play the game. The new system will enable players of any ability, from anywhere in the world, to play and compete with others on a fair basis. This will be the case whether in competition, or during a casual round. 

WHS will encourage as many golfers as possible to obtain and maintain a handicap and once a golfer has their handicap, players of differing abilities, genders, and nationalities will be able to take their handicap to any course in the world where they will be able to compete on a fair basis. 

Another key aim of WHS is that it will indicate, with accuracy, the score a golfer is reasonably capable of achieving on any course around the world, playing under normal conditions.

SOME R&A - WORLD HANDICAPPING RESOURCES

A key feature of The World Handicap System is that handicaps are now calculated in the same way across the world ⛳️ -- The R&A website have some new links on there now 

 

Work out your course handicap with their calculator here and look up link for different courses 

 COURSE HANDICAP CALCULATOR (using your Handicap Index when available or if you have got a rough idea of what yours is at the moment) 

LOOK UP A COURSE FOR SLOPE AND COURSE RATING - (Put in Scotland and then the course)  -- There may be variations as time goes on

SOME SHORT VIDEOS IF YOU CLICK THIS LINK FROM THE R@A