Ask Linda #142-To post or not to post

Dear Linda,
I have been having some arguments with my buddies over which scores to post and which you cannot post. Rather than bore you (and embarrass ourselves) with our disagreements, would you please review what types of scores we are required to post, and which scores we may not post?
Thanks,
Lou Lou

Dear Lou Lou,

Everything you ever wanted to know about posting scores can be found in “Section 5-Scores” in The USGA Handicap System manual, which can be accessed online via the following link:

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Handicap-System-Manual/Handicap-Manual

For your convenience, I will summarize the parts of Section 5 that explain which scores are acceptable to post and which are not.

Post these scores
1. If you play 13 or more holes, post an 18-hole score. For the holes that are not played, count par plus any handicap strokes you would be entitled to on those holes. For example, if your course handicap is 12, you would record a bogey for any hole not played that is listed on the score card “handicap” line as 12 or lower. If you don’t play the par 5 18th hole that is described on the score card as the #8 handicap hole (eighth hardest hole), your score for that hole would be a bogey 6. If you don’t play the par 4 17th hole that is the #14 handicap hole, you would record a par 4.

2. If you play between 7 and 12 holes, post a 9-hole score.

3. Post all scores from every course that has a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating®, both home and away, during the active season [see Ask Linda #15-post winter scores]. Don’t forget to record the course and slope rating for the course you played when you post away scores.

4. Scores made in match play must be posted, even though you pick up when a putt or a hole is conceded. Record your most likely score in those situations. For example, if you are left with a 30-foot putt, add two strokes to your score; if you are within reach of the green, add three strokes to your score (one pitch and two putts). If you play less than 18 holes but more than 13, see #1 above.

5. Scores in stroke play competitions must be posted, even though you may have picked up on several holes because your partner had a better score.

6. Record all scores when you are playing under the Rules of Golf.

7. If you have been disqualified from a tournament, but you have an acceptable score, you must post it. An example would be a player who has been disqualified for not signing a score card.

Do not post these scores
1. You play less than 7 holes.

2. You play during the inactive season [see Ask Linda #15-post winter scores].

3. You don’t play your own ball (e.g., scramble, alternate shot, Scotch Chapman).

4. You don’t play according to the Rules of Golf (e.g., you play two balls). Note that if you are playing preferred lies, you are playing by the Rules and you must post that score.

5. You play an 18-hole course that is less than 3,000 yards, or a 9-hole course that is less than 1,500 yards.

6. You play in a tournament where the number of clubs permitted is less than 14, or the type of club is limited (e.g., irons only).

7. You play on a course that does not have a USGA Course Rating or Slope Rating.

8. You play with a non-conforming club (e.g., a driver longer than 48”), a non-conforming ball (e.g., weighs more than 1.62 ounces), or a non-conforming tee (e.g., longer than 4”).

9. You use an artificial device or unusual equipment to help you make a stroke (e.g., placing a bottle of water on the green to gauge the slope; using a cell phone to call someone for advice).

10. You use a distance measuring device (DMD) when the Committee has not adopted the Local Rule that would allow such use. The Rules of Golf do not permit the use of DMD’s except by Local Rule. Note that the Local Rule permitting the use of DMD’s limits their use to measuring distance only. If your device is capable of measuring anything else (e.g., wind or gradient) and you use any of those features, you are disqualified and you may not post your score for that round.

Lou Lou, please remember to apply Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)® to your score before you post. If your Course Handicap® (CH) is 9 or less, the maximum score you are permitted to record for any given hole is double bogey; if your CH is 10-19, your max is 7; 20-29, max is 8; 30-39, max is 9; 40 or more, max is 10.

The USGA has provided golfers with a handicap system that allows golfers of varying abilities to have an even competition. All golfers have to do to insure that this system works properly is to post every acceptable score immediately after the round or as soon thereafter as possible.

Linda

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