Getting Started with IGC

Well done! You will now have submitted your application form, paid your subscription and are now ready to play golf with IGC. Here are some notes that may help you get started.

Keeping you Informed

  • Our website: igc.golf is brimming with helpful information. Here you’ll find our Calendar of Events, competition results, past newsletters, and a comprehensive photo gallery, and most importantly, the I-Golf Booking system.
  • Committee members: On the website you will see the names and pictures of our Committee Members. Do not hesitate to ask an IGC Committee member if there is anything you need clarifying.
  • IGC WhatsApp Group: Joining is voluntary, but it is a great place to see updates on matches and competitions, useful pieces of information, pictures from tours or even last weekend, and of course the regular Friday evening rules quiz.

Handicap and Federation Card

  • If you have a recent documented handicap from a recognised golf association, this will become your handicap with IGC when you start. This will be adjusted through I-Golf each time you play a qualifying round (every round during the summer is a ‘Q’ round).
  • If you do not have a recognised handicap, you will need to play three “handicap establishment” rounds with us. These rounds take place during regular IGC events, but your score will not be included for prize purposes within the competition on those days, although you can win our usual nearest the pin competitions.
  • After your three “handicap establishment” rounds, your IGC handicap will be confirmed to you by the Captain.
  • Your Belgian Golf Federation card, with your unique Federation number, will be ordered once you are registered with the IGC. This will be available to you virtually on I-Golf.

Playing in IGC Competitions

Registering for an event:

  • Registration for any IGC event needs to be made in the I-Golf booking system by 8pm on Thursday, for the weekend ahead. The number of slots is limited by availability given to us at the clubs so you may be placed on a reserve list if you sign up late. You can sign up as far ahead as you like. When you register you will be able to select the tee you wish to play from. This will affect the strokes you receive on the day. To decide, you may wish to check the WHS tables on the golf club website. You can also request early or late starts and we will try to accommodate.
  • If you are forced to cancel, you can do this easily in I-Golf any time before the Thursday cut off. If you have to cancel after you have received your tee-time, please notify us as soon as possible using the IGC e-mail. Be aware that some clubs we play at will still insist on green fees being paid for late cancellations.
  • Flights will normally be 3-balls although could be 2 or 4 depending on the number of participants and available tee times allocated to us. You will be notified by email on I-Golf either Thursday night or Friday of your tee-time and playing partners, the IGC Match Manager for the event, plus any other relevant instructions or guidance.

On the day:

  • The IGC Match Manager will hand you your scorecard before the start, showing your actual and playing handicap for the day. You can also see your playing handicap on I-Golf when tee times are announced Thursday evening. Holes for nearest the pin will also usually be indicated.
  • Before and after the round, we are able to use the club’s practice facilities. Many clubs now provide practice balls free of charge, some have ball machines that take €1 or €2 coins, a few still require a token (“jeton”) to be purchased from the secretary/pro shop.
  • Make sure you are on the tee and ready to play 10 minutes before your scheduled tee-off time, i.e. you should be there in time to see the group ahead tee off.
  • You should familiarise yourself with any applicable local rules and conditions of play from the club website. This is more important in the winter when trolleys may require winter wheels, or may be banned, and preferred lies will usually be available.
  • Green fees are paid to the IGC Green Fees account (BE32 0018 8773 6602) by transfer before or just after the event. Many transfer whilst enjoying a beer on the terrace after the game.

On the course:

  • The world over, pace of play is an issue. At IGC we pride ourselves in having an excellent reputation for this with the clubs we visit.
  • We think a three-ball (our typical mode of play) should complete a round in less than four hours if not held up.
  • The usual pace of play tips apply, but the things that make a big difference are:
    • When on the green, position your bag before you putt between your exit point from the green and the next tee.
    • Also, on the green be aware that others may be preparing to putt so stand still while they do.
    • Watch other player’s shots so you can get a line and quickly find their ball if it gets into trouble.
    • As soon as you approach and arrive at your ball, be deciding which club to take, and then have that club to hand, so that you are ready to play.
    • Be aware of what the other players are doing so you can judge when best to play your shot. Play ‘ready golf’ rather than the ‘honour system’ but check with fellow players if it is okay to play out of turn as this does not mean a ‘free for all’.

Scoring:

  • Most IGC competitions are scored on a stableford basis … 2 pts for a net par; 1 pt for a net bogey; no pts for a net double bogey or worse; 3 pts for a net birdie; 4 pts for a net eagle; 5 pts for a net albatross (double-eagle).
  • During the round, you will need to record the gross and stableford score for the player whose card you are marking and yourself. It is essential you mark this clearly for IGC input into I-Golf.
  • After 9 holes and after the round, review and confirm these scores with the player whose card you are marking. You would be surprised how often there are mistakes on cards. Both sign the card after the round. Unsigned cards are not accepted.

In the clubhouse:

  • IGC tradition dictates that within your flight, each player buys the other players a drink in the clubhouse after the round. It is not mandatory, but we seem to have followed the “buying your round” concept (round of drinks that is) since the year dot!
  • Please ensure you pay your bar bill before you leave the venue … and of course drive safely home.

Prizes:

  • At our regular ‘bread & butter’ events, you may be the deserving winner of an IGC voucher. The amount awarded and number of winners (1, 2 or 3) will depend on the number of participants. These vouchers can be accumulated and used in four ways: to buy IGC logo wear (see our website), to spend in the Golf de L’Empereur pro shop, as a contribution to the cost of IGC’s Stay & Plays (our annual tours abroad), and as a Decathlon voucher.
  • Nearest the pin competitions are run each time we play, with the number depending on participation. Prizes are usually IGC Logo golf balls or bottles of wine. 

IGC Logo Wear

  • A range of IGC logo wear can be purchased from the club via our website.
  • Golf shirts (aka T-shirts or polos), pullovers, and slipovers (aka sleeveless pullovers) are all available.
  • Club logo wear is worn by all IGC players in our matches against other golf clubs.

Your IGC Committee

Don’t hesitate to ask an IGC Committee member, if there’s anything you need clarifying. We love playing golf with IGC and want you to also!

  • President: Bill Purdue
  • Captain: David Dart
  • Secretary: David Winter
  • Treasurer: Gregg Hawson
  • Green Fee Coordinator: Johnny Nordahl
  • Membership Secretary: Adrian Cunningham
  • Webmaster: John Hughes
  • Seniors Coordinator: Tommy Smith
  • Other member: Alastair Fyfe(immediate past captain)

You can download and print this guide by clicking here