Central Database of Handicaps

Latest from the Unions English Golf Union & English Women's Golf Association: Live Golfing Union of Ireland & Irish Ladietish Ladies Golf Association: Live Scottish Golf Union & Scot: Testing Golfing Union of Wales: Testing

Updated 29th March 2011

The Irish and English CDHs are up and running for both Men's and Women's sections and the Scottish and Welsh versions are currently being tested, for planned release during the 2011 season.  The links below will help you find out more about them and where available, asist you to sign up.

The English Central Database of Handicaps

VISIT THE EGU CDH WEBPAGE DOWNLOAD THE EGU CDH HELP SHEET REGISTER WITH THE EGU CDH

The Scottish Central Database of Handicaps

VISIT THE SGU CDH WEBPAGE DOWNLOAD THE SGU & SLGA CDH HELP SHEET

The Welsh Central Database of Handicaps

VISIT THE GUW CDH WEBPAGE DOWNLOAD THE GUW CDH HELP SHEET

Background

Ireland - The Golfing Union of Ireland and The Irish Ladies Golf Union have had a CDH for some years. CLUB2000 has been compatible with their method of upload since the start.

England - In August 2007, whilst the English, Scottish and Welsh Golfing Unions were deliberating plans to introduce various types of Central Handicapping Databases and other software services, Club Systems International (CSI) wrote an open letter to all three organisations offering assistance.  In short, CSI gathered the support of all the major Independent software vendors (ISVs) and helped to set up a working group which represented both ISV's and Unions. This working group could then help to deliver the golfing Unions requirement; hopefully at low cost and little inconvenience.

Early in 2008 the English Golf Union joined this working group and throughout the year we jointly formulated a specification for their Central Database of Handicaps (CDH).  The ISVs (including CSI) involved in the project, provide handicapping software to over 90% of the clubs in England and had the support of most, if not all, of the smaller suppliers.

All licensed ISVs tested their systems during 2009 and rolled out from January 2010.

Scotland & Wales - So the working group of ISVs (CONGU Licensed software suppliers) produced a specification for the upload of data to a central database of handicaps. The English developed their database to accept this upload.  We then offered the same format (or interface) to the other golf union to use FREE of charge. A meeting was then held between the working group and the Scottish Golf Union, Scottish Ladies Golf Association and the Golf Union of Wales.  At this meeting the same upload was offered and some time later they started work on using the same method as the English.

CSI's development is now completed and has been in testing at a number of Scottish and Welsh clubs.  Technical testing has gone very well and the beta testing stage is now building up steam. 

Clubs wishing to take part in the CDH will need to be fully supported users and have installed the 2011 version (V14) of CLUB2000 scores and handicaps. 

Your club will need a 2011 CD update or internet download. 

The Irish system, like any ongoing IT project, is under constant review and the GUI have been contacted to offer the same interface as the other unions.

The ISVs believe that having all Unions accepting data in the same way and in the same format, will offer all involved unions, clubs, golfers and the software suppliers, the best solution for a collection of compatible, reliable, National Databases.