From the Archives: Handicap Certificates – An Early Example

This week we feature an item from the Archive—one of the earliest examples of a ‘handicap certificate’ in the collection.

Use of handicaps to equalize competitive golf developed over the course of the nineteenth century and was well established by the time play commenced at Perth GC in October 1895. The earliest list of handicaps for PGC players dates from September 1897, but records indicate that handicapping was introduced immediately when play commenced at Burswood. From the Archives: Perth Golf Club’s First Members – The Handicap List of 1897 – Royal Perth Golf Club

Thereafter handicapping expanded in WA—as it had elsewhere—using a variety of methods devised by individual clubs. A consistent approach to handicapping required an overseeing body, which in WA didn’t eventuate until the formation of the WA Golf Association in 1912 and the Ladies Golf Union (L.G.U.) in 1914. Even then uniformity in handicapping was slow to be implemented.

The problems with inconsistent handicapping became increasingly obvious as the number of clubs grew in W.A., and as an increasingly mobile population looked for opportunities to play away from their home course. This then resulted in the introduction of ‘open’ events, which in turn led to players competing with handicaps applied for very different courses and using different handicapping methods. Open events also depended on visiting players accurately reporting their home handicap.

It was the need to address these problems that led to the introduction of handicap certificates. These postcard size documents served as both a golfer’s introduction to a host club and a record of their handicap. The earliest known reference to handicap certificates being used in WA dates from 1930, but it is possible they were used earlier.

The example in the attached photo belonged to RPGC member Jessie Jessop and was issued for the 1940 season. As shown, the certificate recorded a player’s lowest three stroke scores from the preceding year. These were the scores used to determine a handicap, which in those days aligned with the best score, whereas current handicapping favors something closer to an average score. It was not until the late 1970s that a statistically based approach to handicapping was developed and the concept of the Calculated Course Rating introduced (a forerunner to the Slope). The handicap recorded on a certificate was valid for 12 months, with scope to be reduced but not increased.

Handicap certificates were only valid when signed by a club’s Handicap Manager, in this case Venetia Fyfe. Crucially the certificate declares that it “must be produced at all meetings where a certified L.G.U. handicap is required”. There was an L.G.U. requirement that expired certificates should be destroyed by club secretaries—although as surviving examples in the Archive indicate, this was not always done! 

Jessie Jessop (1891-1984) arrived in Perth from Adelaide with her Husband Harry in 1931, and they both became significant Club members. Harry Jessop (1888-1963) was a Captain (1938, ’39; ’41, ’42), President (1945, ’46), and Life Member (1948). Jessie and Harry were the parents of Ross Jessop (1929-2023, Captain 1992, ’93). The certificate pictured is one of number left by Jessie, which trace her handicap between 1940 and 1968. The ‘13’ handicap recorded on the certificate seems to be the lowest handicap she achieved.

Although handicap certificates were phased out by the 1970s for most local uses, they can still be provided by Clubs and are useful when travelling overseas. The Old Course of St Andrews is one of a number of major international courses that require visiting players to produce a valid handicap certificate (although these can now be digital).

← Back to previous page