Subject: Winter Golf & Your Handicap: Submitting WHS Scores from Blue Tees & Fairway Mats ???????? As we transition into the winter season, we want to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy their golf, maintain their game, and keep their handicaps accurate. There is a common misconception that handicap scoring stops when the weather turns. We would like to clarify that you can continue to submit acceptable scores under the World Handicap System (WHS) throughout the winter months, even when playing from our Blue Winter Tees or using fairway mats. 1. WHS Scoring is a Year-Round Activity The World Handicap System is designed to reflect your current playing ability across all seasons. Submitting scores throughout the winter helps ensure your Handicap Index remains accurate and reflects your game when spring arrives. 2. Playing from the Blue Winter Tees Our Blue Winter Tees have been officially rated by our regional golf union. • Because these tees have a designated Course Rating and Slope Rating, any General Play round or organised winter competition played from them is fully valid for handicap purposes. • Please ensure you select the correct tee colour (Blue) when signing into your scoring app (such as My England Golf, ClubV1 or HowDidiDo) before you tee off. 3. Using Compulsory Fairway Mats To protect our fairways from winter divot damage and maintain excellent playing conditions for next spring, the use of fairway mats will be mandatory on closely mown areas when conditions change. • Under WHS regulations, the compulsory use of fairway mats does not invalidate a score for handicap purposes. • If your ball comes to rest on the fairway, you must mark it, lift it and place it on your mat. The mat should be positioned as near as possible to where the ball originally lay. • A tee must not be used when playing a fairway shot from the mat. 4. Frequently Asked Questions Can I submit a score from the Blue Winter Tees? Yes. The Blue Tees are officially rated and scores are valid for WHS purposes. Do fairway mats make a score non-qualifying? No. Scores remain acceptable provided mats are used in accordance with the Local Rule. Can I use a tee on the mat? No. The ball must be played directly from the mat. Do I still need to pre-register a General Play round? Yes. Normal WHS requirements still apply. Can I submit a score when temporary greens are in use? Yes Scores are acceptable for handicap purposes when only one temporary green is in play. Need Help? If you are ever unsure whether a score is acceptable for handicap purposes, please contact the Handicap Committee. We will be happy to help. Email: compsbgc@outlook.com Thank you for your cooperation in helping us protect the course while continuing to enjoy handicap-counting golf throughout the winter season. We wish you all enjoyable winter golf and look forward to seeing you on the course. Kind regards, The Competition & Handicap Committee