The success of the math calculation in the World Handicap System™ is only as good as the data entered.
Short and Sweet: the vast majority of scores are acceptable — there aren’t very many good excuses for not entering a score into your record.
The SCGA offers various tools for posting acceptable scores: at the course computer, using the GHIN mobile app on your smartphone, going to ghin.com, etc.
A key tenet of the World Handicap System is that it is believed that a golfer will try to make the best score at every hole in every round. Play 18 holes under the The Rules of Golf — absolutely an acceptable score. Actually, if you play at least 10 holes, you still have an acceptable 18-hole score. For the holes you haven’t played, you are required to post scores hole-by-hole so the appropriate Score Differential can be calculated from the holes that were played to combine with the expected score for the holes not played.
When a player posts a 9-hole score, the WHS will automatically calculate an 18-hole Score Differential for the round, based on the player’s 9-hole Score Differential and expected Score Differential based on their current Handicap Index®, allowing the 9-hole round to be considered in the player’s Handicap Index calculation right away. Golfers are required to play all 9 holes with a valid 9-hole Course Rating™ and Slope Rating™. So far, so good.
Scores on All Courses
Both a Course Rating and Slope Rating are required for a score to be posted. What scenario would result in one or both not being available?
A course that is less than 1,500 yards for 18 holes or less than 750 yards for nine holes don’t receive a Slope Rating.
Scores in All Forms of Competition
Scores in match play and stroke play must be posted for handicap purposes. You might ask how to address a stroke conceded in a match. We’ve discussed the concept of “most likely score” in previous editions of Handicap Hints. This same concept applies in a four-ball (often called best ball) when a player picks up on a hole because he or she is unable to better the score of the partner.
Preferred Lies
Scores made when playing preferred lies or winter rules result in acceptable score for handicap purposes.
Bad Round
Please don’t think that a “bad” score should not be entered, as such a score might knock another score out of your scoring record and impact the calculation of the Handicap Index. The most current data is the best data. Plus, if your round was derailed by one or two "blow-up" holes, you likely won't be posting without adjusting your score according to your Maximum Hole Score/Net Double Bogey (Double Bogey plus any handicap strokes that you are entitled to - a player with a Course Handicap of 18 gets 1 stroke a hole, so that player would have a maximum hole score for handicap purposes of triple bogey on any hole.
Calculating Net Double Bogey
There are only a few situations when a score is unacceptable for handicap purposes:
- When score can’t be verified by another person
- While being coached on the course
- When a player uses non-conforming clubs, non-conforming balls, or non-conforming tees;
- Not playing the required number of holes
- While not playing your own ball — think scramble or shamble or foursomes (alternate shot.)
Didn't play a full 18? Kicked the round off with a breakfast ball? Here are some interesting situations that might come up next time you're on the course and how you should handle them for score posting purposes:
