General NGN/Card FAQ’s

1. I have lost my NGN card. What should I do?

Your club will order a new card for you. Please contact them and ask them to place an order and to enter any outstanding scores for you in the meantime.

2. How long does it take to get a NGN card after joining a NGN affiliated club?

It will take from a few days to 2 weeks for your card to reach your club from the date it is ordered, depending on the club's location and the delivery method selected when the order was placed.

3. Are all NGN clubs in South Africa affiliated to the SAGA?

Yes, all clubs must be affiliated to the SAGA to issue official handicaps. There are no NGN affiliated clubs that are not affiliated to the SAGA.

4.  What is the relationship between NGN and SAGA?

NGN is a software company that writes club management software, including software to control and calculate handicaps. NGN developed and created the concept of a computerised and centralised network which includes electronic score entry and multiple media form peer review.The SAGA administers  amateur golf and determines the rules which are applicable to amateur golfers including the handicap formulae to be used from time to time. Clubs charge members affiliation fees which are paid over to the SAGA for the right to have an official handicap.

5. What does it cost to get a NGN card?

It costs less than R100 per year for all the benefits offered by the NGN card.

Handicap FAQ's

1. Why are there two handicaps?

You do not have two handicaps. An allowance is made for different types of competitions. The most popular competition types are betterball or alliance, both of which have an allowance of 75% of your handicap.

2.  What is the difference between your handicap and the handicap allowances?

Your handicap is used to determine your ability in relation to the course rating. You play off your handicap in all individual tournaments and competitions. An allowance is made for different types of competitions. The most popular competition types in South Africa are betterball or alliance, both of which have an allowance of 75% of your handicap.

Essentially, one is used for individual competitions and the other (the lower one) is for the any team type competitions that are played (including betterball or alliance).

 

3.  How should I score according to my handicap?

You are allowed a maximum of one over par on the holes where you don' stroke, 2 over on holes you get a single stroke on and 3 over on holes where you double stroke. When the competition type is not individual, you must use the handicap allowance to calculate your adjusted score and to determine where you stroke.

If your handicap is less than 18 you don’t stroke on holes with a stroke higher than your handicap and you get a single stroke (max 2 over) on holes with a stroke lower or equal to your handicap. The same rule applies if your handicap is above 18 but in addition to the above you get a double stroke (max three over) on holes with a stroke less than or equal to X. Calculate X by subtracting 18 from your handicap. So if you are a 24 the X is 6 (24 minus 18) and you would get double storkes on holes stroked 1 to 6. Remember to use you lower “handicap” to determine where you get strokes when playing in a betterball or team competition.

4.  How is my handicap calculated?

Your handicap is calculated as the average of the best 10 differentials out of the last 20 scores entered. If less than 20 scores are available, then less than 10 scores are used as shown below.

 Differentials Available             Differentials to be used        

5                                             Lowest 1
6 – 7                                       Lowest 2
8 – 9                                       Lowest 4
10 – 11                                   Lowest 5
12 – 13                                   Lowest 6
14 – 15                                   Lowest 7
16 – 17                                   Lowest 8
18 – 19                                   Lowest 920                                           Lowest 10

Your handicap may go up by a maximum of 1 stroke a month, but there is no limitation on how many strokes it is permitted to drop by each month.

The maximum handicap for males and females is 36.

5. I recently joined, but my handicap seems incorrect, what is the problem?

Please either click on the “Contact Us” link or send an email to golfer@ngn.co.za specifying your name, where you are a member and tell us about your problem. We will rectify your problem and reply to your email.

6. I am planning or have moved to a different club, what should I do?

You should ask your club for a letter specifying that you were a member, what your last handicap was and what your last 20 scores were. Give this letter to your new club so that they can enter the scores and calculate your handicap for you with minimal delay. You can also print the page off the handicaps.co.za website before you move, showing your latest handicap and scores to give to your new club.

General handicaps.co.za Site FAQ's

1. Why can’t I find my name on the site?

Your details may not have come through from your club yet, or there may be some problem with your membership at your club.

2. My name has disappeared from the website?

This probably means that you have been made inactive or hotcarded by your club for some reason. Once this happens, your name will be removed from the website, but your data doesn't disappear or get removed. If this happens, it is best to contact either NGN or your club to find out what is wrong

3. Why does my handicap read “N/A”?

This means that your handicap doesn't exist. It usually means that you don't have sufficient scores to calculate your handicap or youre handicap hasn't yet been calculated. If you do have enough scores, please ask your club to calculate your handicap for you.

4. How long does it take to get a handicap after joining a club?

You need 5 scores before a handicap can be calculated. As soon as you have played 5 rounds and entered the scores, you should ask your club to calculate your handicap.

5. I get the wrong person’s handicap details in my monthly notification, what should I do?

The link on your web profile is probably incorrect. Click on the 'Update Details' button on the top right hand side of the screen. Scroll down until you find a heading that reads "SMS/Email Handicap Communication Options". Just below this there is small blue writing that reads "Click here to update your linked profile." Click on this link and you will be able to select your club and your name from a list of members.

6. My email address has changed, and I have forgotten my password, what should I do?

Click on the 'Update Details' button on the top right hand side of the screen. This will bring up your personal details. There are links next to the boxes where you enter your login and password that will allow you to change your email address and password.

7. What should I do if I get an error when trying to access a page or my handicap profile?

Send an email to golfer@ngn.co.za or click on the "Contact Us" link on the left hand side menu of the main screen on the www.handicaps.co.za website. An email will come through to us and we will contact you so that your problem can be sorted out.

8. I have forgotten my password. How do I request a new one?

Click on the 'Update Details' button on the top right hand side of the screen. This will bring up your personal details. There is a link next to the "Password" text box. The link's text reads "Click here to update password!". Click on this link and you will be able to change your password.

9. What is the cost of registering online?

There is no cost to register. The advantages are that the handicaps web page will be personalised with your data each time you connect to the website, you can link up to 4 friends to your profile and you have access to free handicap e-mail notification. Monthly handicap sms notification is also available at a nominal charge of R 5 per month. Other advantages include being able to rate the courses where you play, and be kept up to date with news, events and special loaded from time to time.

10. Can I enter scores online?

This option is something we are currently working on, but it is not available at the moment for various reasons, both technical and non-technical.

11. How do I get Discovery Health Vitality points for my golf games?

You will have to register to receive these points. This is done by clicking on the "Earn Vitality Points" link at the top left hand side of the screen. This will take you to a page describing the process, which has a link to www.discovery.co.za/golf. You will have to link your golf membership profile to your Discovery profile on this page. Once this is done, you will receive 150 Vitality points for every completed game of golf.

12. How do I advertise on the handicaps.co.za website?

Send your contact details to david.smulders@ngn.co.za or phone David Smulders on 0861-646-646.

Course Information and Ratings FAQ's

1. How are the course ratings calculated?

There is a standard formula used by SAGA officials to calculate the course rating. The length of the course and height above sea level are the two most prominent factors used in the calculation.

2. How do I rate a golf course?

Once you have registered, login and you will be able to click on the "Rate Now" link next to the scores on your profile. This will allow you to rate various aspects of your golf experience at the club as well as put in comments. You will also be able to see how other golfers have ranked the course and what they have said about it.

3. Some of the course information on the site is incorrect or missing, what can I do?

Please click on the "Contact Us" link or send us an email at golfer@ngn.co.za and we will investigate the problem and solve it.

4. I represent one of the golf clubs, can I customize the my golf course pages, course information, with club competition info, club announcements etc?

You can send the information you want put onto your profile and we will update it for you. Please email the details to us by clicking on the "Contact Us" link or by sending it to golfer@ngn.co.za.