NCGA Position on Acceptable Rounds for Handicap Purposes
The NCGA is licensed by the United States Golf Association to use the USGA Handicap System to provide official handicap indexes for our members. As such, we adhere to the procedures set forth in the USGA Handicap System Manual for the posting of scores.
The position of the NCGA is fully in support of the USGA policies.
If you should have questions or require any further clarification, please contact the NCGA Handicapping Department at 831/625-4653 or via e-mail at handicap@ncga.org.
The USGA Handicap System and The Rules of Golf
The USGA has received many inquiries regarding whether rounds played with equipment that does not conform to the Rules of Golf are acceptable for handicap purposes.
The USGA’s long-standing policy according to the USGA Handicap System is that scores made using non-conforming clubs or balls are not acceptable for handicap purposes.*
The USGA recognizes that it is a player’s choice whether or not he or she adheres to the Rules of Golf. While the USGA cannot ensure that all players use only conforming equipment, the integrity of the USGA Handicap System relies on a single set of Rules and uniform equipment standards to predict accurately a player’s potential ability and designate an appropriate USGA Handicap Index.
It should be noted that over time the USGA Handicap System has allowed a few exceptions that promote the inclusion of some scores that are not played strictly according to Rules of Golf. These exceptions represent an effort to make it easier to obtain scoring data needed for formulating an accurate USGA Handicap Index.
Preferred Lies and Winter Rules
The use of preferred lies or winter rules is not endorsed nor interpreted under the Rules of Golf. But a local rule denoting the existence of such a practice is included in the Rules of Golf for the benefit of local Committees faced with adverse course conditions. Scores made under preferred lies or winter rules will be posted for handicap purposes unless a club’s Handicap Committee determines that conditions are so poor that such scores should not be posted.
Conceded Putts and Incomplete Holes
In stroke play, a player is required under Rule 3-2 to hole out at every hole. However, in some special forms of stroke play (see Rules 31-32) there are instances where holing out is not a requirement. When a player fails to hole out, in either stroke play or match play, the Handicap System requires data that is reflective of what transpired that will help in predicting potential ability. Section 4-1 of the USGA Handicap System Manual states:
“If a player starts but does not complete a hole or is conceded a stroke, he shall record for handicap purposes the score he most likely would have made. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken, plus, in his best judgment, the number of strokes that the player would need to complete the hole from that position more than half the time.”
Mulligans
“Mulligans” are a relatively frequent occurrence on the golf course. But they are not recognized under the Rules of Golf.
The USGA Handicap System doesn’t want to eliminate a round that has seventeen holes of valid scores if a “mulligan” was played on a single hole. So, for handicap purposes, the hole score made with the mulligan is tossed out and replaced with a hole score that is not considered out of the ordinary for the player, based on his Course Handicap. The player’s score becomes par, plus any handicap strokes the player should receive, on the hole(s) in question. A player with a Course Handicap of eighteen receives a stroke on every hole, so that particular player’s hole score would be par plus the one stroke, or a bogey.
* The USGA provides a list of non-conforming driving clubs within the Equipment section of its web site at
http://www.usga.org/press/list_of_clubs.html. The Association publishes twice annually a booklet of conforming golf balls. But a golf ball not included in that booklet is not necessarily a non-conforming ball.. All balls (including ‘x-out’ balls whose identification markings have been obscured) are assumed to be conforming unless they obviously fail the test for size (may not be less than 1.68 inches) or weight (shall not be greater than 1.62 ounces). Decision 5-1/4 from the Decisions on the Rules of Golf states: “In the absence of strong evidence to suggest than an ‘x-out” ball does not conform to the Rules, it is permissible for such a ball to be used.”
When someone plays a round of golf alone, should the score be posted?
PWGA requires that all posted scores be attested – implying that when played alone you should not post. I could not find a similar rule in posting for NCGA.
Thanks… Becky
September 6th, 2007 at 8:34 pmI apologize for the delay in responding but I was just recently made aware of this new feature within our website.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:24 amProvided the round of golf is played in accordance with the principles of the Rules of Golf, the round must be posted, even if you were playing alone.
Thanks
Jim Cowan
jim…i posted the same score for one round…does our website allow corrections…thnx
October 9th, 2007 at 4:40 pmIf you play 12 holes and must leave due to darkness do you take the score that you can post per hole for the last 6 holes? Such as, if the most you can take on any hole is a 7 you would show 7′s on the remaining 6 holes?
Please respond
January 20th, 2008 at 1:00 pmLucy,
January 21st, 2008 at 2:22 pmThank you for your inquiry. If you play more than 7 holes but fewer than 13, you are obligated to post a 9-hole score; you cannot post an 18-hole score. If you play 13 holes or more, you are obligated to post an 18-hole score which will require you to “fill in the blanks” for the unplayed holes. You do NOT give yourself the “most you can take” on the unplayed holes (why would you assume you would play your very worst on the unplayed holes?). Instead you give yourself a par plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to on the unplayed holes. So if you don’t play the 18th hole and it is the number 6 ranked stroke hole and you carry a 25-handicap, you would give yourself a par plus the two handicap strokes that you would have received on that hole (double-bogey). Thanks again. Jim Cowan
While playing a course with temporary greens, how many temporaries can there be and still allow a postable score? Also, if a score is posted and it shouldn’t have been how does one get it removed from the computer?
Steve Knadler
January 31st, 2008 at 12:41 pmI play a lot of 9 hole rounds at my home course (front nine) and post all of those scores. I am confused on how those scores are combined. First off, most of these 9 hole scores fall in the 41-47 range, but never lower than 41. In September I had a combined score listed at 80 with a CR/Slope at 70.4/133, giving it an 8.2 differential. The last three combined scores listed are 80, 79 & 79 with a CR/Slope of 66.0/118 with differentials at 12.4 and 13.4. Why is creating scores lower than I have ever shot and why is there a difference in the index differentials? I always play the same set of tees…
Thank You. —Mike J.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:22 pmSteve, thank you for your comments.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:07 pmPosting with temporary greens in place is a tricky proposition.
If the greens are of a high enough quality to permit play by the Rules of Golf (meaning, you can putt out), the scores are postable. In a perfect world the course would contact us before the temps were put in place. They would notify us how much yardage has been lost and we would calculate and insert temp Ratings for everyone to post to.
If the greens are of such poor quality that the Rules of Golf cannot be observed (automatic two putts, over-sized cup), you ignore your actual score on the hole and instead act as though you didn’t play the hole at all. Under such circumstances you post a score of “par plus any handicap strokes you are entitled to on the hole” for posting purposes.
If the majority of the holes were not played by the principles of the Rules of Golf, you cannot post the score. So if a course had 9 temp greens where you couldn’t putt out, you still post.
As to your second question, your club has the necessary software to perform any sort of score correction or deletion. Contact your Handicap Chair. Thanks – Jim Cowan
Mike J, thank you for your comments.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:13 am9-hole rounds are combined as follows: The two 9-hole scores are added together; the two 9-hole ratings are added together; the two Slope Ratings are averaged (.5 rounded up).
As to your issues, I am going to encourage you to contact me direct at jcowan@ncga.org Be sure to include your name and NCGA/GHIN number so that I can try to identify the two halves that have now been combined into an 18-hole score. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
I attended the recent AT&T pro-am. After 72 holes the pro was -6, the team was -38,therefore the am was -32 (average of -8 per round). The am had a posted course hdcp of 11. Was the am a sandbager? I think it’s statistically impossible for a 11 handicap to shoot 3 over par 4 days in a row.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:56 pmStan, thank you for your comments. You certainly are not the first to take exception to the amateur’s incredible performance, nor the first to question the accuracy of his handicap. The golfer is not an NCGA member so I really do not have much access to his scoring record or handicap history. One story I heard is that he won the gross Club Championship at one of his clubs . . . not bad for an 11. Another is that he had not posted a score since last summer . . . not bad play at the AT&T after nearly half a year off. Thanks – Jim Cowan
February 19th, 2008 at 10:08 amDear NCGA Handicap Chairperson:
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:45 amOur regular golf group is very diligent about handicaps and posting of scores. NCGA or GHIN is making it impossible to self regulate this crucial part of our golf experience by no longer showing the “date played” on the reporting pages of the lookup feature for individuals. Please explain if this is temporary or permanent.
You are defeating the purpose of requiring contemporaneous posting if you don’t give us the opportunity to look at this accurately.
Please respond to the above email address.
John – Thank you for your comments. Please refer to the Through the Green column in the 2008 Bluebook edition of NCGA Golf for an explanation (it is based on a USGA change of policy). The bottom line is that if you can provide the golfer’s NCGA/GHIN number you will be given the details you previously enjoyed. If you perform a last-name lookup only, you will be given the abbreviated details. Thanks – Jim Cowan
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 amJim,
April 1st, 2008 at 8:19 pmI posted the same score twice by mistake, is there a way to delete the duplicate ? It was at Coyote Creek GC (Valley Course)…thank-you..
Amay Poria – you will need to report the error to your club. They have the necessary software to perform such a correction/deletion. Thanks – Jim Cowan
April 4th, 2008 at 3:40 pmI coach a High School team and play a lot of 9 hole rounds during the season. I recently played 9 holes at one course followed by 9 holes at a different course during the same week. Will these scores be combined or stay as 9 hole scores?
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 amGary – Thank you for your comment. Post the scores as 9-hole scores to the appropriate 9-hole ratings for the tees that you played. When two arrive, they will automatically be combined (two scores combined, two ratings combined, two Slopes averaged) to form an 18-hole score appearing with the letter C next to it (Combined). From that point on the score will be treated like any other 18-hole score when it comes to computing your Index. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
April 24th, 2008 at 9:17 amI am a new member, signed up through the Golf Mart, and I’ve made a mistake on two scores that I just posted. I didn’t adjust the default date and so my posts are recorded as taking place today, rather when they were played last year. How do I edit/adjust these dates?
Also, are my scores posted for rounds played before 2008 counted?
April 24th, 2008 at 10:15 pmI am not sure this is a FAQ column, but here goes. I recently joined NCGA, through Golf Mart. I don’t really have a home club. I’ve entered my first scores but made errors on the dates played (the scores are accurate). How do I correct these errors?
Thanks
June 9th, 2008 at 12:08 pmWe have a new member just join our club and does not have a handicap. He wants to play in our scramble tournament, how do we establish a handicap for him?
THANKS
June 9th, 2008 at 8:02 pmMichael and Douglas, thank you for your comments. All score posting errors must be reported to your club. They have the necessary software to perform any corrections or deletions. It is vital to retain the proper chronological order so that scores “drop off” your record in the proper order. Your scoring record is based on your 20 most recent rounds and it doesn’t matter how far back those rounds go. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
June 10th, 2008 at 10:41 amWalter, thank you for your comment. You are really on your own. The USGA Handicap System doesn’t issue a handicap until at least five scores are recorded for a golfer. Anything less than that they feel is not enough data to even take a stab at determining a golfer’s potential ability. And even with as few as five or six scores, the System assigns the handicap based on the one best round. If you have fewer than five scores for this golfer, use your best judgment and proceed with caution. If you err on the high side, it impacts the whole field. Thanks again and good luck – Jim Cowan
June 10th, 2008 at 10:47 amI just posted a 9 hole score, where I played way over my head and shot one over par. How will this score be figured in my handicap if I don’t play another 9 holes to pair the “career nine” with?
July 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pmStan, thank you for your comment. Your next 9-hole round posted will be combined with your “career” nine to form an 18-hole score. The two 9-hole scores will be added together, the two 9-hole Course Ratings will be added together and the two 9-hole Slope Ratings will be averaged to form the combined 18-hole score (a score type of C will be applied to indicate that the score is the result of the combination of two 9-hole rounds). If you do not play any additional 9-hole rounds and stick to 18-hole rounds, the 9-hole score will eventually expire and will not be eligible to be combined with. Thanks again for your comment and congrats on your recent round – Jim Cowan.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:17 amHi -
How can I go about posting my score remotely from a recent round of golf, as the course’s computer was unavailable at the time.
I realize this doesn’t exactly fit with the article, but it’s as close as I could seem to come regarding the topic.
Thank you so much for any direction/insight that can be provided!
September 11th, 2008 at 3:24 pmAndrew – If you can’t wait to post at home over the Internet, you you can post right from your smart phone if you have one. Just go to mobile.ncga.org
September 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pmI started playing 5 months ago but just joined. I have all my score cards. Do I post all my scores or just rounds played after joining?
November 6th, 2008 at 11:51 amIs there a way to post scores shot in a foreign country(Philippines)?Z
February 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pmRobert Lull, thank you for your comment. It is my understanding that courses in the Philippines do have USGA Course and Slope Ratings. If that is the case, you are required to post them. In effect, you are going to have to edit the dates to the proper values and hand-enter the Course and Slope Rating (we do not have access to their ratings). If you are posting via the internet, you would have simulate that you are posting a domestic score by selecting any state. At that point you can select the Course Not Found button and enter the appropriate values. If the course do not have a USGA Course and Slope Rating, you cannot post the score. Thanks again – Jim Cowan.
February 6th, 2009 at 10:56 amDoes anyone know if you forgot your GHIN number how to go about finding it?
March 24th, 2009 at 6:51 pmJustin – Check your e-mail.
Thanks
March 25th, 2009 at 8:11 amThank you again Jim for all your valuable time. If I play a very short course I will only bring my 5 iron, wedge and putter, or on a regulation course I may not use my woods if I want to work on my Iron game. Both of these situations may result in a higher score than I would normally shot. What do I do about posting?
May 19th, 2009 at 5:47 pmStan, thank you for your comment. You would not be able to post the scores that you have described. The Handicap System is based on the premise that you are going to try your hardest on every hole of every round to score the lowest you can. In these instances you are removing clubs from your arsenal that would/could contribute to your lowest scores on each hole. So go ahead and continue to play rounds in this manner . . . they are wonderful drills to improve your shot-making . . . but do not post the scores. In reality you are not trying to score the lowest your game has to offer, you are just working on specific parts of your game. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
May 19th, 2009 at 8:26 pmI recently became an NCGA member, but I have been tracking my scores at MyScorecard.com since the beginning of the year. Can I post those scores to establish my NCGA handicap or can I only post rounds which were played after I joined. MyScorecard is recognized by the USGA offers an official USGA handicap if that matters.
June 13th, 2009 at 9:56 pmErik, thank you for your comment. There is nothing preventing you from posting such scores. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
June 15th, 2009 at 8:32 amJim, can you settle a debate for us? Our course is currently posted, “summer rules” (i.e., no adverse course conditions). Course management (not the men’s club) hosts a weekly 9-hole mini match-play game in the evenings (players play three 3-hole matches (holes 1-3; holes 4-6; holes 7-9)). In order to expedite play, management tells contestants to bump the ball. Is the 9-hole cumulative stroke score postable if the player bumps the ball?
June 15th, 2009 at 9:43 amProblem one: Course has sign posted Summer Rules however they play night leauge preferred lies “winter rules”. Handicap commitee position is these are postable scores. We have several members saying they contacted ncga and they are saying to them these scores should not be posted. This is not what it shows in preferred lies section of ncga handicap guidelines or what we learned in seminars. Please ask Mr Cowan to let me know if we are correct in requiring posting of these scores thanks, Cliff Williams Handicap Chairman EMC. Problem two: We have a player from another club that has entered tournaments, night league and pro-ams. His handicap indes is 13.9 and he has shot 77 in pro-am and even par in other venues and according to his score history on your website these scores have not been posted. What remedy do we have? Another pro-am is comming up in which he is entered.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:46 amEddie and Cliff, thank you for your comments. It is unfortunate that anyone would play preferred lies when course conditions are good as this could have an adverse impact on the handicaps established from such rounds. Be that as it may, the Handicap System does require the posting of the scores.
June 17th, 2009 at 1:09 pmCliff, as to your second question, you should present any evidence you have of the golfer’s failure to post his low scores to the Handicap Committee of the club that the golfer is a member of. That club should a) post the scores and/or b) post a Penalty score for each and every score posting transgression. Depending on the severity of the situation, the club should consider modifying or even withdrawing the Handicap Index of the golfer. Contact us by e-mail and we can provide you with the necessary info to reach the other club. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
Our club pro plays with us in our daily game almost every day so he maintains a handicap for that reason. The problem is that he sometimes shoots rounds that cannot be posted on our machine. Whenever he goes below 65, the machine says that it cannot be entered. This month alone he shot a course record tying 61, and the other day he shot 62. Some of us think this is not fair and he is using the system to take our money. His team normaly wins so he is able to supplement his income nicely. He is extremely attentive to the other players posting their scores and will not hesitate to lock a person into a low handicap if he feels something is wrong. It has been suggested that he post the lowest score the machine will allow, but he says that would be posting an incorrect score.
June 27th, 2009 at 8:44 pmRussell, thank you for your comment. The club would need to send us details of the rounds that could not be posted (dates, scores, ratings, etc.). We have ways of getting such scores entered, even if the score posting computer balks at it. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
July 6th, 2009 at 12:50 pmJim, I am the new handicap chairman for the Rossmoor Men’s Golf Club. The pro-shop staff post all of our tournament scores. I asked them to post all tournament scores as T-scores. They refused saying that they can’t when we allow a 6″ bump. This is often allowed by the club and I am trying to get it eliminated. Can the scores be posted as T-scores when the round played allowed 6″ bumps.
Don
August 19th, 2009 at 9:04 amDon, thank you for your comment. Bumping the ball should have nothing to do with the decision as to whether the “T” should be applied or not. Really, the more important decision to be made is which tournaments to apply the “T” to. Too many T’s is a bad thing, not a good thing. It dilutes the ability of the Handicap System to identify those golfers who seem to save their very best play for the most important tournaments. So figure out which tournaments are your biggies and apply the “T” to those whether you are bumping the ball or not. Thanks again – Jim Cowan
August 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pm