Scores Acceptable for Handicap Purposes
Principle of the Rule:
The scores a player submits for handicap purposes are at the core of the calculation of their Handicap Index.
Rule 2 covers the conditions a score must satisfy for it to be acceptable for handicap purposes, providing confidence that it will produce reasonable evidence of the player’s ability and, ultimately, a Handicap Index that is reflective of demonstrated ability.
2.1
Acceptability of Scores
A score is acceptable for handicap purposes if the round has been played:
- In an authorized format of play over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable.
- In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker.
- By the Rules of Golf
- On a golf course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a consistent level
- On a golf course during its active season
If one or more of the above requirements are not met, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.
a
Played in an Authorized Format of Play
National Associations have the ability to select the formats of play that are acceptable for handicap purposes within their own jurisdiction, from an authorized list of formats.
Only individual 18-hole stroke play competitions and 18-hole Stableford competition formats are mandatory selections – but the list of authorized formats includes a combination of stroke play, match play, competition, general play, 9 and 18-hole formats.
- Round Played Within a Player’s jurisdiction. Subject the other provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping, an acceptable score from an authorized format of play within a player’s home jurisdiction must be submitted for handicap purposes.
-
Round Played Outside a Player’s jurisdiction. Subject to other provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping:
- A score from an authorized format of play within the jurisdiction where the round was played is acceptable for handicap purposes and must be submitted, even if the format of play is not authorized in a player’s home jurisdiction.
- A score from a format of play that is unauthorized within the jurisdiction where the round was played, but is an authorized format of play within the player’s home jurisdiction, is acceptable for handicap purpose and must be submitted.
- A score from a format of play that is unauthorized within both the jurisdiction where the round was played and within the player’s homejurisdiction is not acceptable for handicap purposes and must not be posted to the player’s scoring record.
b
Played by The Rules of Golf
A round must be played by the Rules of Golf to be acceptable for handicap purposes, subject to the following:
- Organized Competitions. In a situation where a player is disqualified from a competition for a breach of the Rules of Golf, but no significant scoring advantage has been gained, the score should remain acceptable for handicap purposes.
If a player is disqualified from a competition for any other breach of the Rules of Golf, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.
The final determination is at the discretion of the Committee, based on the circumstances.
- General Play. When an organized competition is not being contested, a score is not acceptable for handicap purposes if the player:
- Breaches the Rules of Golf and the correct penalty is not applied under the Rules of Golf, or
- Deliberately ignores a Rule of Golf.
- A player has proceeded under the alternative option to the stroke and distance relief procedure, despite this Model Local Rule not being in effect, or
- The player has used a distance-measuring device despite the Model Local Rule prohibiting their use being in effect.
Examples of situations relating to Model Local Rules where a score might be acceptable for handicap purposes include:
The final determination is at the discretion of the Committee, based on the circumstances.
2.2
Minimum Number of Holes Played for Score to be Acceptable
A format of play eligible for handicap purposes, as determined by the Authorized Association where the round is played (see Rule 2.1a).
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.
An area of land where golf is played, made up of the following five areas as defined in the Rules of Golf:
- The general area,
- The teeing area a player must play from in starting the hole being played,
- All penalty areas,
- All bunkers, and
- The putting green of the hole being played.
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 indication of the difficulty of a golf course for the scratch player under normal course and weather conditions (see Appendix G).
An indication of the relative difficulty of a golf course for players who are not scratch players compared to players who are scratch players (see Appendix G).
An area of land where golf is played, made up of the following five areas as defined in the Rules of Golf:
- The general area,
- The teeing area a player must play from in starting the hole being played,
- All penalty areas,
- All bunkers, and
- The putting green of the hole being played.
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 period of time when acceptable scores from a specified area should be submitted for handicap purposes, as determined by the Authorized Association where the round is played.
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.
A score from an authorized format of play which meets all the provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping (see Rule 2).
A format of play eligible for handicap purposes, as determined by the Authorized Association where the round is played (see Rule 2.1a).
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.
A format of play eligible for handicap purposes, as determined by the Authorized Association where the round is played (see Rule 2.1a).
A format of play eligible for handicap purposes, as determined by the Authorized Association where the round is played (see Rule 2.1a).
A history of a player’s acceptable scores along with:
- The player’s current Handicap Index,
- The player’s Low Handicap Index,
- Other details about each round (such as, the date the round was played), and
- Any applicable adjustments (for example, an exceptional score).
(See Appendix B.)
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association (“USGA”) and R&A Rules Limited (“The R&A”), including any Model Local Rules the Committee adopts for the competition or the golf course.
For the purpose of the Rules of Handicapping, all general references to the Rules of Golf should also be considered to cover the “Modified Rules of Golf for Players with Disabilities”.