Handicaps Foreign Players
Principle Rule:
Foreign players who take part in tournaments in Switzerland and are listed in the current and official handicap list of the SPA must play with their valid Swiss handicap which is current on the first day of the tournament. If the foreign player is not listed in the current and official handicap list of the SPA he/she must fill-in a written application on a form provided by the SPA and he/she must play with his/her valid handicap of his/her main country of polo residence which is current on the first day of the tournament. Foreign players, who are listed with a higher handicap in England, the USA or Argentina in the official handicap list of the respective countries’ association, must play with the higher handicap. (for example: the Argentinean player X is rated a +5 in Argentina and a +6 in England, X must play a handicap +6 in Switzerland. The American player Y is rated a +5 in the USA, a +4 in France and a +6 in Germany, Y must play a handicap +5).

Non-European Players:
For players of Non-European origin the following special rules apply: Non-European players, including playing grooms, with a handicap of +2 or less must provide the organiser of a tournament the above mentioned form and with an official confirmation of their handicap, issued by the association of their country, respectively their country of residence, which clearly states that the named player has held an official handicap within the last 12 months. Only then are Non-European players permitted to play. If they cannot provide this written confirmation they must play with a minimum handicap of +2, regardless of their playing capabilities. In case of doubt, should the tournament organiser or a playing team or player so wish, the executive board of the SPA decides the permissible handicap.

Further information can be obtained from the SPA Tournament Rules.