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 USGA has issued the attached memorandum in response to the many inquiries which have recently been
received concerning the acceptability of scores for rounds played with non-conforming clubs or balls.
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 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.
Electronic Measuring Devices
Use of Electronic Distance Measuring Devices is contrary to the Rules, namely Rule 14-3 (Artificial Devices and
Unusual Equipment).
A policy allowing the posting of scores for handicap purposes tied to use of these devices has been in place
since 1994. At that time, the player really had no practical choice whether to use these devices since many golf
carts had mounted versions that a player could not turn off. Over time, hand-held devices started to appear and
players had a choice whether to use such a device or not. However, the USGA determined that it would be
impractical for handicap purposes to differentiate between scores made with cart-mounted versus hand-held
devices. Thus, scores made with both types of devices are acceptable for handicap purposes.
* 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 pm