Independent golfers, or in other words golfers who are not members of a club, have until now been unable to get an official handicap index in the UK.

However, last month England Golf revealed that an 'independent golfer connectivity platform' was in the process of being developed that would give non-club members the chance to get an official handicap. Similar schemes are also being rolled out across Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

This announcement brought mixed reactions. Some saw it as a brilliant idea and a positive step towards making golf more inclusive, while others were concerned that it would cause golfers to discontinue their golf memberships.

Well, CEO of England Golf Jeremy Tomlinson has addressed these concerns in a letter to golf clubs.

In it he asks clubs to feel 'rest assured that checks and balances will be factored in' and reiterates his belief that golf clubs won't suffer as a result.

He reveals that a 'working group', made up of six female and four male regional representatives, are meeting on a weekly basis to develop the plans due to be rolled out later in the year.

Going on to stress that clubs will 'remain in control of how and to what extent they engage with independent golfers who join the new scheme', his over-arching message was that the independent golfer benefits will be 'different to that provided by clubs to existing members'.

Why do independent golfers need a handicap?

The R&A has basically decided that in order to get more people playing and enjoying golf, we need to make the process of getting a handicap much easier and not exclude golfers who don't have a club membership.

The organisation issued a statement saying that they want to provide “greater enjoyment for all that play the sport by enabling as many golfers as possible (members and independent golfers) to establish and maintain a handicap”.

Jeremy noted that the end goal of the connectivity platform was to encourage independent golfers to join a club.

"The initial aim is to inspire golfers to play more often and to increase the connection between an avid, independent golfer and their local club/facility," he began.

"We will create a best-in-class platform with the ultimate goal of educating independent golfers on the value of golf club membership and inspiring them to follow this pathway to greater participation."

Won't it lead to losing club members?

Jeremy acknowledged that many were concerned about how the new handicap offering would impact existing club membership numbers.

"From analysis of similar platforms currently in use around the world, there is no evidence to suggest that significant numbers will make the journey in the opposite direction and leave a golf club to join an independent golfer scheme," he said.

"The benefits of remaining at a club which offers not only full playing rights, but also a good value proposition to members should outweigh those provided to golfers through an independent golfer platform."

One suggested tactic is to create a 'time lag' between golfers leaving a club and joining an independent golfer scheme.

This could mean that golfers have to wait 12 months between leaving a club and getting a handicap, an idea intended to put people off leaving clubs.

Will independent golfers be able to play in competitions?

Not straight away, seems to be the short answer.

Jeremy was also keen to stress that it is up to each individual club to decide what independent golfers are and are not allowed to do.

"Those signing up for the scheme do not have immediate access to county and national events, although there would be scope in the future to stage competitions purely for independent golfers," he declared.

"There will also be consideration given to the timing of a start date for the platform bearing in mind the ongoing effects of the pandemic and the immediate challenges faced by golf clubs issuing subscription renewals.

"The platform will be designed to offer a value proposition for independent golfers different to that provided by clubs to existing members."

You can read all the statements from England Golf on the independent golfer scheme HERE.