These rules apply to any officially recognised Tadgers event until altered, mutilated or ignored.
Handicaps are carried forward from the previous Tadgers game, inclusive of all previous adjustments under Rules B, C and D.
The Handicap Committee shall sit prior to the opening game of the event and if any golfer's club handicap is lower than his current Tadgers handicap then he must declare it (otherwise he will be cast asunder and thrown into the lions den or worse still - Den’s loin) and that lower handicap becomes the start handicap for the event.
The Handicap Committee may at any time operate what is affectionately know as a GROPE (General Re-adjustment Of Player’s Expectations) which means they can award handicaps that they think are more suitable and don't have to back it up with any logic whatsoever (unless contested in a Tadgers Court). This rule is generally frowned upon and shall be applied sparingly since 'Rules are Rules' and nobody wants to be accused of manipulation!
After each game of a Tadgers event, the winner’s handicap is reduced by 2 and the handicaps of the last, 2nd to last, and 3rd to last players are increased by 3, 2 and 1 respectively.
This rule to be applied unless the adjusted handicap would exceed 36. In that event, a Discretionary Handicap (Dis'Hand) of 54 may be offered to the player by the Handicap Committee. The player can decline the offer and continue with 36.
Rule E:
Tour Captain shall appoint Captain of the Day (Henceforth known as D-CAP) prior to first tee-off of the day and according to any passing whim on the day. D-CAP shall have formal duties as described in Rules F and G and may supplement those with additional duties in the bar. Should Tour Captain fail to appoint D-CAP by first tee-off then Tour Captain shall assume the role. The role of D-CAP expires at 12.00 midnight.
D-CAP may overrule Rules A to D by announcing a GOTCHA (General Override To Correct Handicap Adjustment) at any time prior to first tee-off, such decisions don’t have to be backed up by any logic (unless contested in a Tadgers Court).
Any player can request that D-CAP appoint a jury2 and instigate a Tadgers Court to contest the logic or moral grounds upon which the handicaps have been calculated. After hearing the case for the defence, D-CAP and jury shall consult and call the plaintiff to the bar. If the appeal is upheld, the plaintiff’s handicap will be re-adjusted upwards by the number of rounds of drinks that the plaintiff is ordered to buy the jury. If the appeal is over-ruled then the plaintiff will buy the jury a round for wasting their time and his handicap will be reduced by a further 1. Sounds draconian, but it’s painful to get your Tadgers Court!
The Handicap Committee:
Tony Wake – Chairman and Northern Representative
Rob Harding - Social Secretary and Cornish Representative
Nick Millett – Tour Captain and Chief Sneak
Anyone else the committee see fit to co-opt
Jury:
Minimum 4 Tadgers shall form a quorum
Tadgers Court:
Consists of D-CAP as judge plus his chosen jury