Here are some definitions:

Qualifiers: Competitions which mean your handicap can increase or decrease depending on your net score.

Non qualifiers: Competitions which mean your handicap can only decrease.

In my amateur days, many years ago, all winter competitions were non qualifiers and therefore the low handicappers would play in any event even if the weather was terrible, safe in the knowledge their handicap could not go up.

However, in recent years the EGU have recommended that all competitions should be qualifiers, which means that you should have a handicap that is equal to your ability throughout the year. It takes into account all weather conditions you may encounter, and in their words, “it is within the spirit of the game”.

Although the vast majority of club members are happy to play throughout the year whatever the weather, there are a growing number of low handicappers preferring not to play in adverse conditions. In their view they think, “I work hard all summer to get my handicap down, I don’t want to waste that effort in the winter”.

So the question is, should we accept our handicap is a true reflection of our ability throughout the year in all conditions? Or, should your hard work in the summer be protected through the dubious winter conditions?

Answers on a postcard to...