Everyone agrees that golf is a game for all abilities and the long-standing concept of a handicap system is crucial in encouraging fair competition through a range of players and abilities. The handicap system is at the heart of golf; however, the spirit in which this system was based is completely flawed when inconsistent players benefit from extremely high and unjust handicaps. Playing summer competitions gives purpose and motivation for a significant number of members at Lymm Golf Club and it is, therefore, disheartening to be so severely penalised when it comes to playing in competition.

Players should be encouraged to improve their game to a standard reasonable enough to justify placing well in a board competition. The general conception of a standard that players consider fair competition is to allow a scratch player one shot per hole, thus leaving a maximum playing handicap in these competitions of 18. For any players with a handicap of above 18, they should be encouraged to get down to the practice facilities at the club and work towards this level in order to compete fairly.