We all know that enjoying a round of golf when playing alone can be a lot of fun and can even help your game. The decision by the USGA to disallow a round while playing alone to be posted does not discourage playing solo, but is in response to better supporting the reliability of a Handicap Index. You may or may not know that the USGA updates the system every two to four years and is always researching handicapping data to develop a system that works well for all. This decision was arrived at to further enhance the integrity and credibility of the USGA Handicap System around the world.

The concept of “Peer Review” is an essential element of the USGA Handicap System. It simply means that your friends, club mates, fellow competitors, and anyone with whom you play, can learn a player's potential ability and form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a score that has been posted. Any concern can be raised directly with the player or with the Handicap Committee. When those with whom you play can attest to your ability, it only adds to the integrity and credibility of the system. Without Peer Review, a USGA Handicap Index loses its inherent value.

The USGA made the decision to enhance “Peer Review” and the integrity and credibility of the USGA Handicap System and in doing so, considered the following:

• Golfers base their good-faith acceptance of the Handicap System on the reasonable assumption that fellow players have posted all acceptable scores accurately and have played in accordance with the Rules of Golf. Peer Review helps support that good-faith acceptance.
• Playing alone, a player loses the advantage of someone alongside who can remind the player of a Rule or verify that they made a 6, and not a 5 or a 7.
• Playing golf with others affords the benefit of having someone who can testify to your ability and acknowledge the accuracy of your Handicap when you play that once-in-a-lifetime round to win the member-guest.

While researching this issue and gathering myriad opinions, many golfers told the USGA that when playing alone, they will often practice and play multiple golf balls and shots, carry extra clubs, take more risks and try shots that they otherwise might never attempt, and experiment with their swing and overall game. These actions may not yield a true measure of their potential in a round played under the Rules of Golf.

As well, the USGA Handicap System Manual states that in order to gain an understanding of a player’s potential ability and to form a reasonable basis for supporting or disputing a score that has been posted, a player needs to have played in a group with others and not alone.

For years, many golfers have raised questions about whether scores played alone are as reliable as other scores. This change will help everyone have greater confidence in the Handicap Index of players. Additionally, this will assist the Handicap Chairman in his/her responsibilities by not having to monitor rounds played alone at the club level.

Most golfers just want to do the right thing – integrity and the reliability of the system is important to them. That’s why this new rule is ultimately good for the game.