Competition
A competition is an officially announced round of golf that is scored according to the Rules of Golf and fixed competition conditions.
The competition is the formal framework for sporting contest in everyday club life. It ranges from the casual monthly medal to the club championship and is organised by the club or a governing body. A committee sets the conditions: scoring format, starting order, local rules and the question of whether the result counts for handicap. It is usually played as Stroke Play, as Match Play or in Stableford format. Anyone who wants to take part usually needs a club membership or a valid handicap, but some clubs also open their events as Open Competitions for visiting players.
In practice, a typical club competition runs like this: you register in advance, are assigned a tee time and meet your group at the first tee. A fellow player acts as marker for your Scorecard, notes your strokes hole by hole and has you counter-sign it after the round. You hand in the card signed at the club office, and only then does the result count. After that come the results list and, at bigger events, the prize giving.
A common misconception: not every round with fellow players is a competition. Your private evening round stays a private round, even if you play for a drink. It only counts towards your handicap under narrow conditions as a registered private round. Mixing up gross and net scoring is also popular: gross counts the pure stroke total, net subtracts your handicap. Anyone who gives up without handing in the card appears in the results list as a no return and usually receives an adjustment added to their handicap.
FAQ
Does my evening round with friends count as a competition?
No, a private round is not a competition, even if you play for a drink. It only counts towards your handicap if you registered it in advance as a registered private round and the conditions of your governing body allow it. A real competition, by contrast, is officially announced and has a committee.
Can I take part in other clubs' competitions as a guest?
Yes, many clubs run open competitions for which you do not need membership of the host club. You register online or at the club office and usually need a valid handicap and a DGV (German Golf Association) playing eligibility. The term open competitions explains the details.
What happens if I do not hand in my scorecard after the round?
Then you appear in the results list as a no return and do not take part in the ranking. In handicap-relevant tournaments you usually receive an adjustment added to your handicap, even if the round went well. So always hand in the card, even after a bad round.