One of the great things about the Handicap System is the built-in flexibility that allows us to post a score when we don’t or can’t play a hole perfectly under the Rules of Golf.

 

For handicaps to be truly representative of the player’s ability, we need to capture more scores. These procedures allow players to record scores when holes are played in such a manner as to be “sufficiently accurate for handicap purposes”, even when conventional wisdom might tell you otherwise!

 

So, don’t automatically throw out your score if you didn’t follow the Rules to the letter; just follow the procedures of USGA Handicap System Section 4 – Adjusting Hole Scores – and get the score posted.

 

Most of the time, you’re going to record par plus any handicap strokes you were allowed when you don’t play a hole at all, or play it other than under the Rules. However, there are some circumstances in which you’d post Most Likely Score* or your actual score instead. See examples below!

 

*Tip: Most Likely Score consists of the number of strokes you’ve taken, plus the number of strokes it would take you to complete the hole from that position more than 50% of the time. The player must evaluate each situation based on what the player can reasonably expect to score.

 

Example 1 – Distance Measuring Devices or Preferred Lies (Winter Rules): If a player uses a distance-measuring device or plays a round under preferred lies (winter rules) where a Local Rule is NOT in effect, the score is still acceptable for handicap purposes.

 

Example 2 – Picking Up before Holing Out: A player starting, but not finishing a hole in stroke play (e.g., picking up before holing out) records the Most Likely Score for handicap posting purposes even though in breach of Rule 3-2 for failing to hole out.

 

Example 3 – An Incorrectly Marked Golf Course: For situations that are generally out of the player’s control, such as an incorrectly marked golf course, or incorrectly installed hole liners, the player’s score for the hole is acceptable for handicap purposes.