A Message from the Handicap Committee
Federated Licenses and Handicaps
Dear Member,
Currently members are required to hold a current RFEG handicap if they wish to enter Desert Springs Golf Club Competitions.
In response to questions and issues raised by Members through the year, Desert Springs and the Committee have spent a considerable amount of time researching the issue of Federated Licenses and Handicaps.
This Newsletter aims to provide clarity and guidance for this calendar year on these topics, with a simple summary of two key decisions made by your committee, followed by a more lengthy and detailed explanation of the rationale behind those decisions, for those who would like to understand the topics in more detail.
As this is a complex topic and a lengthy Newsletter, we recognize that it will be impossible to answer here all questions that Members may have, and we continue to welcome follow up questions.
The Committee have decided that, effective immediately, we will require members who wish to play in Competitions at Desert Springs to hold valid RFEG Federated Annual License.
The Committee have decided that, effective immediately, we will require members who wish to play in Competitions at Desert Springs to maintain accurate RFEG Handicaps, via a regular synchronization process as detailed below, until such time as Inter-Operability between the RFEG and a Member´s Home Club Association is enabled.
Federated Licenses
Legality
Unlike the UK, sport in Spain is a legally regulated activity; that is, there are laws that govern how sporting activities of all kinds (not just golf) are played and practiced.
The key law that applies in Spain is Law 39/2022, of 30 December, on Sport.
From our perspective, that law establishes the Real Federación Española De Golf (“RFEG”) as the Governing Body for golf at a National level in Spain and grants them the right and duty to regulate and govern the game of golf, in all its forms.
That law also establishes a legal duty on players (of all sports) to have Health Insurance to a (very specific) prescribed set of legal minimum levels when playing or practicing their sport.
To ensure that is the case, and that the insurance provides exactly what the law requires, the Sports Federations are required by that law to subscribe to a Health Insurance plan on behalf of their players and to issue Licenses to their players as evidence of the fact that they have valid insurance in force.
The Law on Sport also stipulates that Committees organising competitions are required to ensure that all players entering their competitions have the mandatory Health Insurance, which is proven by the possession of a License issued by the Sports Federation.
Golf clubs that are members of the RFEG are required by the RFEG to validate that every golfer has a valid License in order to play or practice golf at their facility, see Circular 18/22.
The key point is that all golfers MUST be in possession of a License to play or practice golf in Spain.
Types of Licenses available for golfers
Two different types of Licenses actually exist under the various Federation schemes: Annual and Day licenses.
Annual licenses are issued by the RFEG and are required by the RFEG for all Spanish golfers and for foreign golfers who have an NIE or residence card. This is the license that most of us will be familiar with; commonly referred to as being Federated.
Day licenses are only valid for foreign golfers without an NIE or residence card who use golf facilities occasionally and for tourism purposes. These Licenses are issued (generally) by a golf club to a player on a daily basis, and a fee is either charged per day or included in the green fee, if a player does not have an Annual License.
Day Licenses are, technically, issued by clubs on behalf of the Golf Federation that exists for each of the Autonomous Regions of Spain, and the cost varies by region. Desert Springs falls under the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation (“RFAG”), which is the Federated body that regulates golf activities in Andalusia and is itself a member of the RFEG. The RFAG subscribes to its own Health Insurance plan which then provides the legally necessary cover to Day License golfers.
The key point is that the two Licenses and the Insurance associated with each are almost entirely mutually exclusive. If a player is required to hold a Federated license, they cannot hold a Day License, and if, in error, they do so, the insurance cover is expressly excluded, leaving the golfer without the legally required cover.
Requirement for Federated Licenses
Due to the above, the Committee will require members who wish to play in Competitions at Desert Springs to hold a valid Federated Annual License.
So, what do I get for my money, then?
This question has been asked a number of times by various members, who are unclear what the Federation fee provides.
In 2023, the full Annual Fee for an RFEG license was €83.20.
This fee provides:
- Mandatory Health Insurance
- Civil Liability insurance
- Handicapping services
- Organisation and running of the game of golf in general; national and regional teams, tournaments, administrative costs for Licenses for clubs, professionals, etc, etc.
The Health and Liability Insurance cost makes up €4.72 of that total fee.
In Andalusia, the remainder is split equally between the RFEG and RFAG, with €12 being attributable to the cost of providing handicapping services (€6 each).
That leaves the administration of the game costs for each of the Federations being €33.24.
All Spanish Golf Federations are, by the same Law on Sport, required to be non-profit organisations, have their Rules and Regulations approved by an outside body and published, and submit and publish their annual accounts.
I don´t have to pay all that money in England (Scotland, Ireland…)
Actually, all club members in the UK also contribute on a mandatory basis to the almost exact same costs of providing the overall administration of the game.
The prime difference in the UK is that clubs include that cost in the annual membership, rather than it being itemized and paid separately, so many members may be simply unaware of paying those fees. The RFEG do not permit clubs to bundle this cost into membership and require that individuals subscribe directly to the RFEG.
Every golf club member in the UK pays a membership fee to the national governing body (e.g. Golf England), plus another mandatory County affiliation fee to their home county (e.g. Yorkshire Golf Union).
Those fees cover the costs of handicap services, local, regional and national teams and tournaments, and general administration of the game, and also provides Liability Insurance cover while playing golf.
In England, the annual fees are usually around €30 per player, which appears to be somewhat less than the Spanish costs, although most definitely not zero.
However, there are almost 3 times as many registered club members in England compared to Spain. If those costs are looked at on a total basis, the primary reason Spain is more expensive is that there are so many fewer golfers covering almost exactly the same costs.
Handicaps
RFEG vs WHS Handicaps
We have been asked by various members why they are required to have an RFEG handicap for competitions at Desert Springs when they already have a World Handicap System Handicap in the UK.
It is important to note that the WHS is not a single Handicap system and database world-wide, but, rather a single set of Handicap Rules that are applied world-wide, with some permitted local variations, just as there are Local Rules applied in the Rules of Golf.
Under the WHS, each Regional Association is authorized to issue handicaps in their respective region, i.e. England Golf, Scottish Golf, Golf Australia, USGA, RFEG, et al all issue WHS Handicaps, currently 129 countries and counting.
It is a fundamental desire of the World Handicap System that a player should only have one handicap world-wide, and for the vast majority of golfers world-wide, the introduction of the WHS has meant that they do now have a single WHS handicap.
However, for those golfers who have membership at two (or more) clubs which are in different Regional Associations, such as England and Spain (or England and Scotland), then both associations currently have separate records for the same player.
There is a longer-term solution for this in progress, (“World-wide Inter-operability”), but until this is fully rolled out allowing a player to nominate a single Home club world-wide, with scores being
automatically cross-posted no matter where the round is played, this is a normal and expected situation under the WHS. We do not anticipate Inter-Operability to be available to us for some time.
To address this situation, the WHS is clear that it is a player´s responsibility to ensure that all scores are posted to both handicapping associations and that both records maintain the exact same 20 score Handicap Record, so that a player has one effective Handicap.
CONGU guidance on this situation is given below.
G5.6 (1) Returning Scores From Overseas
Scores submitted from outside GB&I must be returned by the player to his/her home club as soon as possible after the round along with the PCC for the day played. This score can then be added to the players’ record.
The RFEG guidance is also given below.
- b) Players with an RFEG license
This is usually the case of foreigners with a second residence in Spain who play here over extended periods but also play in their own country.
In this case the player will maintain his/her handicap in two different associations (RFEG and their national association) and as established in the WHS, it is the player’s obligation to keep the same information on the two Scoring Records. This means that players must present their scoring record each time they change country.
Synchronizing Scores to the RFEG system from abroad
To ease this process, the RFEG have developed a handicap synchronization process that allows scores from England Golf (or other handicapping associations) to be uploaded in bulk to a player´s RFEG record, when changing countries.
We have tested this process successfully at Desert Springs, and this Newsletter explains how members can comply with the WHS regulations, with the assistance of the Handicap Committee, and ensure that their Handicap Records and Handicaps are kept in synch, such that a player plays off their correct Handicap at all times.
Essentially, the process consists of three steps.
- After posting the last score in England prior to travelling to Spain, the player requests a Handicap Certificate from their UK Club
- Send that Handicap Certificate and (preferably) the player´s current RFEG record to the Handicap Committee prior to travelling to Spain
- The Handicap Committee will validate the file and send to the RFEG with a request for synchronization
As guidance, the entire process should take less than 5 minutes for members to complete.
After the synchronization process is carried out centrally, which usually takes 1-2 days, the RFEG record will be updated with all scores posted to the record in England since the player´s last score in Spain, such that the same 20 scores are reflected on both records at that point in time.
Any subsequent scores posted in Spain will then replace the oldest scores on the RFEG record, as normal.
On returning to England, the scores posted in Spain must be returned to the player´s Home club for posting, at which point the two records will be identical once more.
For players who have not previously synchronized their Handicap, the first synchronization process may require anything up to the entire RFEG record to be replaced with England Golf scores. Once that has been done, essentially, only the most recent scores posted in each country will be replaced each time a player travels back and forth.
We would recommend that players who have not previously synchronized their records do so as early as possible to minimise any potential delays prior to their next planned travel to Spain.
Synchronizing Scores to the CONGU systems from Spain
Unfortunately, England Golf (and the other CONGU members) have not, as yet, provided any mechanism to assist their members with bulk score synchronizations.
Due to this, scores from Spain must be returned to a member´s Home club and posted there individually.
The RFEG detailed pdf record contains all the necessary data for this to be done correctly and the Handicap Committee is happy to assist members in understanding where to find and how to use this information, and, again, we have tested the process to ensure that it works correctly.
We should note that we have been told informally of instances where clubs refuse to accept and post such scores, in breach of the WHS Rules and CONGU guidance.
We have followed up on this with England Golf directly, whose guidance is that clubs are required to accept valid scores to prevent players playing from a Wrong Handicap, and that anyone experiencing this should follow up with their Handicap Secretary in the first instance, and then subsequently with their County Handicapping officials.
We would also be willing to assist any member experiencing such problems.
Requirement for RFEG Handicap
Due to the above, the Committee will require members who wish to play in Competitions at Desert Springs to maintain accurate RFEG Handicaps, via a regular synchronization process, until such time as Inter-Operability between the RFEG and a Member´s Home Club Association is enabled.
Requiring this allows members to play from a correct and current handicap whilst in Spain, as the RFEG record will be constantly updated with posted scores and the Committee have access to the RFEG record.
Once Inter-Operability does come into force, we believe it will be possible for a Member to opt out of having an RFEG Handicap and reduce the cost of their Annual License by the Handicapping fee (currently €12), although this is not definite and cannot be confirmed until that time.
Visitors (Guests) will still be allowed to enter the Guest section of a Club Competition on provision of a current Handicap Certificate.
Synchronization Example
For example, Ian is a member at Hintlesham and Desert Springs and has the following scores on his records.
| England Golf Handicap Record | RFEG Handicap Record | |||||||
| Date | Round # | Course | Score | Nett Diff | Round # | Course | Score | Nett Diff |
| 2/10/23 | 1 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 | ||||
| 30/09/23 | 2 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | ||||
| 30/09/23 | 3 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | ||||
| 23/09/23 | 4 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | ||||
| 01/09/23 | 5 | Hintlesham | 81 | 9.6 | ||||
| 30/08/23 | 6 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 | ||||
| 20/08/23 | 7 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | ||||
| 13/08/23 | 8 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 | ||||
| 10/08/23 | 9 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | ||||
| 09/08/23 | 10 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | ||||
| 02/08/23 | 11 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | ||||
| 31/07/23 | 12 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 | ||||
| 24/07/23 | 1 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 23/07/23 | 2 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 17/07/23 | 3 | Desert Springs | 84 | 12.0 | ||||
| 10/07/23 | 4 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 03/07/23 | 5 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 26/06/23 | 6 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 19/06/23 | 7 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 12/06/23 | 8 | Desert Springs | 84 | 12.0 | ||||
| 01/06/23 | 13 | Hintlesham | 81 | 9.6 | ||||
| 31/05/23 | 14 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 | ||||
| 24/05/23 | 15 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | ||||
| 10/05/23 | 16 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 | ||||
| 03/05/23 | 17 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | ||||
| 30/04/23 | 18 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | ||||
| 23/04/23 | 19 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | ||||
| 16/04/23 | 20 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 | ||||
| 02/04/23 | 9 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 25/03/23 | 10 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 18/03/23 | 11 | Desert Springs | 84 | 12.0 | ||||
| 11/03/23 | 12 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 04/03/23 | 13 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 11/01/23 | 14 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 04/01/23 | 15 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 31/12/22 | 16 | Desert Springs | 84 | 12.0 | ||||
| 18/12/22 | 17 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 11/12/22 | 18 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 04/12/22 | 19 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 18/10/22 | 20 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| Handicap | 5.9 | 6.5 | ||||||
In order to synchronize the two records, when Ian travels to Spain, his most recent 12 scores from the UK need to be added to his RFEG record, so that his last 20 scores are reflected on his record, which is done via the RFEG synchronization process outlined below.
| England Golf Handicap Record | RFEG Handicap Record (synchronized) | |||||||
| Date | Round # | Course | Score | Nett Diff | Round # | Course | Score | Net Diff |
| 2/10/23 | 1 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 | 1 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 |
| 30/09/23 | 2 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | 2 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 |
| 30/09/23 | 3 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | 3 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 |
| 23/09/23 | 4 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | 4 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 |
| 01/09/23 | 5 | Hintlesham | 81 | 9.6 | 5 | Hintlesham | 81 | 9.6 |
| 30/08/23 | 6 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 | 6 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 |
| 20/08/23 | 7 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | 7 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 |
| 13/08/23 | 8 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 | 8 | Hintlesham | 76 | 4.8 |
| 10/08/23 | 9 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 | 9 | Hintlesham | 84 | 12.6 |
| 09/08/23 | 10 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | 10 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 |
| 02/08/23 | 11 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 | 11 | Hintlesham | 79 | 7.8 |
| 31/07/23 | 12 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 | 12 | Hintlesham | 78 | 6.8 |
| 24/07/23 | 13 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 23/07/23 | 14 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 17/07/23 | 15 | Desert Springs | 84 | 12.0 | ||||
| 10/07/23 | 16 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 03/07/23 | 17 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 26/06/23 | 18 | Desert Springs | 81 | 9.2 | ||||
| 19/06/23 | 19 | Desert Springs | 78 | 6.5 | ||||
| 12/06/23 | 20 | Desert Springs | 84 | 12.0 | ||||
| Handicap | 6.3 | |||||||
If Ian posts a further 8 scores in Spain while there, those would replace his scores 13-20 on his RFEG record. When he returns to England, he will post those scores at his Home club in England and both records will at that point reflect the same 20 score record.
As Ian posts new scores in England, they will replace older scores on his England Golf record, and when he next travels to Spain, those scores will once again be posted to the RFEG record, bringing the two records back into alignment, thus ensuring that Ian plays from the same handicap wherever he happens to be playing
