Returning The Scorecard

In “normal” non-Covid times scorecards are marked and returned as follows:

Marker’s Responsibilities

A player’s scorecard must be marked by a fellow competitor or a marker appointed by the Golf Team.

After each hole, the marker should confirm with the player the number of strokes on that hole and enter that gross score on the scorecard.

After the round the marker must certify the hole scores by signing the scorecard. If the player had more than one marker, each marker must certify the scores for those holes where he or she was the marker.

Player’s Responsibilities

During the round, the player should keep track of his or her scores for each hole. After the round the player should check the scores entered by the marker. The player must not change a hole score entered by the marker except with the marker’s agreement.

The player should ensure that their name, Course Handicap, the date and the competition name are recorded before signing the scorecard and promptly returning it to the Golf Team, after which the player must not change the scorecard. Scorecards returned without these details or with a hole score lower than the actual hole score will lead to disqualification; see Rules of Golf, Rule 3.3b.

Any disputes or clarifications regarding the Rules of Golf should be raised with the Golf Team before returning the scorecard.

Note:

Failure to add up the scores correctly does not warrant disqualification.
Although the Rules of Golf do not make it mandatory for Handicap Index and Playing Handicap to be entered on the scorecard, it is recommended that they are recorded.
While not mandatory, it assists the Golf Team if the holes where handicap strokes are received are indicated and the points scored on each hole are recorded.

Holes Not Completed

For handicap purposes, holes where a gross score is not entered are recorded as Net Double Bogey for determining the Score Differential on the player’s Scoring Record.

Note: Net Double Bogey is determined using the player’s Course Handicap, not the player’s Playing Handicap. For example, a player with a Course Handicap of 18 playing in an individual stableford competition receives 17 strokes (using 95% Handicap Allowance).

When playing the Stroke Index 18 hole which is a par 3, the player wouldn’t get a Playing Handicap stroke, so:

3 strokes = 2 points, 4 strokes = 1 point, 5+ strokes = 0 points.

If they don’t hole out, their Scoring Record, based on their Course Handicap will show:

3 (par) + 1 (h/c stroke) +2 (double bogey) = 6

Even though they may have been able to hole out for 5. For this reason players should endeavour to hole out for net bogey (based on Course Handicap) even when they can’t score any points on the hole.

Holes Not Played

If for whatever reason a hole is not played, tick the box DNP when entering your score.

For handicap purposes, holes not played for a valid reason are recorded as follows for determining the Score Differential on the player’s Scoring Record:

In a 9 hole round, all holes must be played for a 9 hole score to be submitted for handicap purposes.
If 14 or more holes have been played, the player will be given a score of Net Par for the holes not played.
If 10, 11 or 12 holes have been played, the player will be given Net Par + 1 on the first hole not played and Net Par for the remaining holes.

Note: Net Par is determined using the player’s Course Handicap, not the player’s Playing Handicap.

Therefore, in Stableford and Bogey/Par competitions always play to your Course Handicap.

If you play a hole always record the score taken.

For example, in a Medal if you lose your ball on a hole and decide not to take stroke and distance, but you continue your round, then record the scores taken from the remaining holes. In doing so you are providing a more accurate score for handicap purposes, providing more accurate information for the Playing Conditions Calculation (PCC) and possibly scores towards Eclectic or 2’s Club.

Returning of Scores

As soon as possible after the round, the player should enter his or her scores for each hole into the computer via the PSI screen or HowDidiDo Mobile Score Input and post the scorecard in the designated place, usually a box near the PSI. The scorecard is considered ‘returned’ as soon as this is done.

Scores must be returned even if the round or any holes have not been completed. Where appropriate, the Golf Team will calculate an adjusted gross score for the holes not completed.

A fundamental principle of the Handicap system is that the player will make every effort to score his/her best in each round. All of a player’s scores are taken into account when the Annual Review is done and it is important that No Returns reflect the actual performances of the player. Entering no score at every hole distorts this and makes additional work for the Golf Team.

Failure to Return Scores

Failure to return scorecards and/or failure to return scores via the PSI screen, HowDidiDo, email or any other method required by the Golf Team without good reason may result in the Golf Team applying a Penalty Score to the player’s Scoring Record.

Failure to record 2 scores over the Course of the Season without good reason, will result in a 1 competition suspension. For more persistent offences a player may lose the right to compete in Club Competitions for a specified period or have their handicap suspended for an appropriate period.

HMGC Golf Team

12/5/21