PE Test (Germany)

Hi,

I recently started golf and have played a few times in the UK. I've moved out to Germany to work for a few years and want to continue playing. It seems that one must take a test before being allowed to play which incorporates a practical test (a round with an instructor who checks that you adhere to the rules etc. You play off handicap 36 and have to 18 points which means 54 handicap).

Does anyone have example questions or know what is in the 'written test'. I know the test is to check etiquette and rules.


Many thanks


Richard

I have no idea, I am in Australia and never have had anything like that. infact I got to remeber to add 10percent onto the metreage to work out yards so people on here can understand my distances. Like I hit my 6 iron around 160 metres so on here I have to say around 175 yards.

Hi Richard,

Is this test in order to become a member of a golf club? I have heard that some clubs here in the UK now insist on such a thing. Although it is not so much a test of your abilities, but more on etiquette, simple things like marking your ball on the green, order of play etc. they probably want to see that you are not going to be going out on the course without knowing such things. I'll be interested to know what it consists of, please keep us updated.

PS: Good Luck

Hi


The same system is in effect in Holland. The test encludes at least 1 stapleford question, all color code markers and two match play questions.

You may be able to buy a book of all of the questions, again this is avalable in Holland.

OR you could just bite the bullet and read and learn the rule book.

I've since done some more checking. There are two ways to start playing in Germany:

1. You get a handicap of at least 54 (used to be 36 but they changed the rules). You can do this in Germany or any other country. As far as I know, there is no way to get a handicap anywhere in the world without membership.

2. You complete a test (this is what my first post was about) which allows you to play without membership at any 'open' course. The test is two parts etiquette/rules and practical.

The test is not to be a member of a golf club but rather to allow you to play without being a member. There are two groups with different tests one from the VcG http://www.vcg.de which is documented with sample questions online etc. The other is commonly given by 'open' clubs.

I'll be taking the test tomorrow so I'll post again with details as soon as I know more.

Good luck with the test. With so many people learning to play golf and waiting lists starting at 3 years the Netherlands, The Dutch Golf Federation have created a Handicap exam for non members of clubs.


Again this is two parts: a written exam on the rules. If sucessful you then have to hand in 3 cards with at least 1 of them with a stapleford score of at least 26 points for 18 holes. This gives a 28 handicap. The person scoring and witnessing your cards must have a handicap. I need to shave a "few" points off my score before I am ready for this.

@bagfull, Many thanks

The test tomorrow is the practical one. It seems slightly different (easier) than the one in Holland, we need to get at 18 points to Stableford but playing off a 36 HCP so equivalent to 54 HCP.

I'll do the written one in a couple of weeks just as soon as I've finished learning the rules! It seems more usefull to learn rules than the answers to the questions so I'll take that approach. Its just a question of making sure that one is at the level required before paying for the test to find out!

How was the test?

Did the first part of the practical test yesterday. I hit the worse round ever in windy conditions and under the pressure of the test but still managed to get the right amount of shots.

I still need to do the theory. I'll keep posted on that. There is a compulsory theory lesson followed by a short multiple choice.

The session yesterday was one hour on the course with a pro. Not just a test but also useful learning of strategy, etiquette, club selection etc. goal is to get the equivalent of handicap 54. I learnt a lot which will help the game and got to know the local course and rules.

The test part is nothing to worry about. It is just a matter of focusing and taking more safe shots than normal (it's just pass or fail so you use a 7 iron twice instead of a 3 iron once).

Regards


Richard

In Australia, You just go up to a club and pay for your membership. To get a handicap you must hand in 5 score cards signed by another member who already has a handicap. This can be done in practice or in competion. The maxium handicap you can have is 27. even if you need a handicap of 50, 27 is the max you can get.