Adjustment of Hole Scores
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.
3.1
Adjustment of Hole Scores
a
Before a Handicap Index has been Established
For a player submitting their first scores to obtain an initial Handicap Index, the maximum score for each hole played is limited to par + 5 strokes.
b
After a Handicap Index Has Been Established
For a player with an established Handicap Index, the maximum score for each hole is limited to net double bogey, calculated as follows:
par of the hole + 2 strokes + Any handicap stroke(s) that the player receives on that hole
- A net double bogey is equal to the lowest score on a hole for which the player would achieve zero Stableford points.
- There is no limit to the number of holes in a round where a net double bogey adjustment may be applied.
- If, in the Terms of the Competition (see Rule 7.2a) or the handicap allowance, there are any restrictions on the number of strokes received, this restricted Playing Handicap should only be used for the purpose of the competition, for example to determine the:
- Finishing positions and prize winners, and
- Number of strokes given or received for different formats of play.
The player’s full, unrestricted Course Handicap should be used for all applications of net double bogey adjustments. For this procedure the Course Handicap is rounded to the nearest whole number (see Rule 6.1a/b).
- Where a Course Handicap is calculated at more than 54 and a player receives 4 or more strokes on a hole, the maximum hole score is par+ 5 for handicap purposes.
- Adjusting a hole score to a net double bogey can be done either:
- Automatically, when hole-by-hole score entry is used, or
- By the player, when submitting an adjusted gross score for the round.
3.2
When a Hole is Not Played
There are various circumstances that may result in holes not being played, for example, due to:
- Fading light or bad weather,
- Player injury or illness,
- A match finishing before the final hole, or
- A hole declared out of play by the Committee for maintenance or reconstruction purposes.
A score may only be used for handicap purposes if, among other things, the round has been played over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable.
Where the minimum number of holes has been completed which is less than 9 or 18 holes, and the reason for a player not playing a hole is valid, the player must scale up their score to produce either a 9 or 18-hole score.
If the reason for a player not playing a hole, or holes, is considered invalid, the Handicap Committee may consider applying a penalty score.
3.3
When a Hole is Started But Player Does Not Hole Out
The measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty (that is, a course with a Slope Rating of 113) (see Rule 5.2).
The score that a scratch player would generally be expected to achieve on a hole under normal course and weather conditions, allowing for two strokes on the putting green (see Appendix F). The Authorized Association or, at the discretion of the National Association the golf club, is responsible for adjudicating par (see Appendix A).
The measure of a player’s demonstrated ability calculated against the Slope Rating of a golf course of standard playing difficulty (that is, a course with a Slope Rating of 113) (see Rule 5.2).
A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole. A net double bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes (see Rule 3.1).
The score that a scratch player would generally be expected to achieve on a hole under normal course and weather conditions, allowing for two strokes on the putting green (see Appendix F). The Authorized Association or, at the discretion of the National Association the golf club, is responsible for adjudicating par (see Appendix A).
A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole. A net double bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes (see Rule 3.1).
A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole. A net double bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes (see Rule 3.1).
The percentage of a Course Handicap recommended to create equity for all players participating in a specific format of play (see Appendix C).
The Course Handicap adjusted for any handicap allowances or Terms of the Competition. It represents the actual number of strokes the player gives or receives for the round being played (see Rule 6.2).
The number of handicap strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees.
(See Rule 6.1.)
A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole. A net double bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes (see Rule 3.1).
The number of handicap strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees.
(See Rule 6.1.)
The number of handicap strokes a player receives, before handicap allowances, from a specific set of tees.
(See Rule 6.1.)
The score that a scratch player would generally be expected to achieve on a hole under normal course and weather conditions, allowing for two strokes on the putting green (see Appendix F). The Authorized Association or, at the discretion of the National Association the golf club, is responsible for adjudicating par (see Appendix A).
A score equal to the par of a hole plus two strokes and adjusted for any handicap strokes applied on that hole. A net double bogey is a player’s maximum hole score for handicap purposes (see Rule 3.1).
A player’s gross score, including any penalty strokes, adjusted for when:
- The player exceeds their maximum hole score,
- A hole is not played, or
- A hole is started but the player does not hole out.
(See Rule 3.)
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).
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.