Principle of the Rule:
A score for handicap purposes should not be overly influenced by one or two bad hole scores that are not reflective of a player’s demonstrated ability. In addition, incomplete scores and/or scores where a player did not hole out on every hole can provide reasonable evidence of the player’s ability and can be used for handicap purposes.
Rule 3 covers the circumstances where scores may be acceptable and how these hole scores should be adjusted.
Rule 3.2 describes what score to return for a hole that has not been played for a valid reason in order for an acceptable score to be submitted for handicap purposes.
If it is determined that a player has not played a hole or holes for an invalid reason, the score will not be acceptable for handicap purposes. Invalid reasons include, but are not limited to, the following:
In either case, the Handicap Committee could add a penalty score to the player’s scoring record, if it is determined that the player’s actions were for the purpose of gaining an unfair scoring advantage (see Rule 7.1b).
The player must add a designation against any score returned that includes holes not played (see Appendix B, Note 5). This is to ensure that all of the procedures set out within the Rules of Handicapping can be carried out properly, for example the calculation of a Score Differential for a 9-hole score (see Rule 5.1b) and the calculation of any adjustment for abnormal playing conditions (see Rule 5.6).
Where hole-by hole scores are required, the player should add a designation against each hole not played.
A most likely score is used to record a player’s probable score on a hole, when the hole has been started but the player did not hole out their ball. It should be a reasonable assessment of the number of strokes needed to complete the hole.
For example, in a Four-Ball match-play competition, a player’s partner holes their ball from off the putting green for three. The player’s ball lies 15 feet (5 meters) away from the hole in four strokes and the score for the side cannot be improved. To save time, the player may pick up and record a most likely score for handicap purposes.
An area of land where golf is played, made up of the following five areas as defined in the Rules of Golf:
Each hole may have multiple teeing areas and, for handicap purposes, a golf course is made up of a designated set of tees on each hole. As such, each set of tees (or golf course) should have a separate Course Rating and Slope Rating, including one for each gender where appropriate.
An area of land where golf is played, made up of the following five areas as defined in the Rules of Golf:
Each hole may have multiple teeing areas and, for handicap purposes, a golf course is made up of a designated set of tees on each hole. As such, each set of tees (or golf course) should have a separate Course Rating and Slope Rating, including one for each gender where appropriate.
The entity established by a golf club or an Authorized Association which is responsible for ensuring compliance with the obligations of the golf club or Authorized Association under the Rules of Handicapping (see Rule 1.3 and Appendix A).
A score posted at the discretion of the Handicap Committee for a player who does not submit an acceptable score when required (see Rule 7.1b).
A history of a player’s acceptable scores along with:
(See Appendix B.)
The Rules of Handicapping as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”) and administered by the Authorized Association within its jurisdiction.
The difference between a player’s adjusted gross score and the Course Rating, reflecting the Slope Rating and the playing conditions calculation.
It is the numerical value attributed to a score achieved on a golf course on a specific day that is posted into the player’s scoring record. A Score Differential must be an 18-hole value or its calculated equivalent.
(See Rule 5.1.)
The score a player records for handicap purposes for a hole that is started but where the player does not hole out (see Rule 3.3).