2.1 Acceptability of Scores

A score is acceptable for handicap purposes if the round has been played:

In an authorized format of play (see Rule 2.1a Played in an Authorized Format of Play) over at least the minimum number of holes required for either a 9-hole or an 18-hole score to be acceptable (see Rule 2.2 Minimum Number of Holes Played for Score to be Acceptable),
In the company of at least one other person, who may also act as a marker (subject to satisfying any other requirements of the Rules of Golf),
By the Rules of Golf (see Rule 2.1b Played by the Rules of Golf),
On a golf course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty is maintained at a consistent level (see Appendix G: The Golf Course, Course Rating and Slope Rating),
On a golf course during its active season.

In addition, the player’s score must always be certified in accordance with the Rules of Handicapping (see Rule 4.4 Certification of a Score).

If one or more of the requirements set out above is not met, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.

Rule 2.1 Clarifications:

2.1/1 – Score is Acceptable for Handicap Purposes Even If Holes Have Not Been Played in the Order Set by the Committee

Rule 5.1 of the Rules of Golf requires holes in a round to be played in the order set by either the Committee in charge of the competition or the Committee in charge of the golf course. However, provided the player has not been disqualified, a score is acceptable for handicap purposes even if the holes in a round have not been played in the order set by the Committee.

For example:

When the golf course is busy and starting at an alternative hole will allow a quicker pace of play.
When playing holes in a different order will allow more players to complete their rounds, particularly during periods when daylight is limited.

If the player has been disqualified, see 2.1b Played by the Rules of Golf.

2.1/2 – Status of Scores Made When Match Play and Stroke Play Formats are Played Concurrently

When a player competes in a match while also playing in a stroke-play round and both are authorized formats of play, the stroke-play score is the score that should be submitted for handicap purposes. The match-play score should not be submitted.

2.1/3 – Returning Scores for Handicap Purposes While Playing on Temporary Greens or Tees

The Authorized Association should determine whether scores made under temporary course conditions are acceptable for handicap purposes. The Authorized Association should also determine whether a temporary modification to the Course Rating and Slope Rating is required to reflect the temporary changes (see Appendix G: The Golf Course, Course Rating and Slope Rating).

2.1a Played in an Authorized Format of Play

Authorized formats of play are:

Format of Play	Type of Round	Number of Holes
Individual stroke play	Organized competition	9	18
	General play	9	18
	Stableford — organized competition	9	18
	Stableford — general play	9	18
	Par/Bogey — organized competition	9	18
	Par/Bogey — general play	9	18
	Maximum Score — organized competition	9	18
	Maximum Score — general play	9	18
Four-Ball stroke play	Organized competition	9	18
	General play	9	18
	Stableford — organized competition	9	18
	Stableford — general play	9	18
	Par/Bogey — organized competition	9	18
	Par/Bogey — general play	9	18
	Maximum Score — organized competition	9	18
	Maximum Score — general play	9	18
Individual match play	Organized competition	9	18
Individual match play	General play	9	18
Four-Ball match play	Organized competition	9	18
Four-Ball match play	General play	9	18

(i)

Round Played Within a Player’s Jurisdiction. Subject to other provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping, an acceptable score from an authorized format of play within a player’s home jurisdiction must be submitted for handicap purposes (see Diagram 2.1a).

(ii)

Round Played Outside a Player’s Jurisdiction. Subject to other provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping:

A score from an authorized format of play within the jurisdiction where the round was played is acceptable for handicap purposes and must be submitted, even if the format of play is not authorized in a player’s home jurisdiction.
A score from a format of play that is unauthorized within the jurisdiction where the round was played, but is an authorized format of play within the player’s home jurisdiction, is acceptable for handicap purposes and must be submitted.
A score from a format of play that is unauthorized within both the jurisdiction where the round was played and within the player’s home jurisdiction is not acceptable for handicap purposes and must not be posted to the player’s scoring record.

(See Diagram 2.1a.)

Rule 2.1a Clarifications:

2.1a/1 – Scores Not Acceptable for Handicap Purposes

Some formats of play and scores played under certain restricted Terms of the Competition are not acceptable for handicap purposes.

The following illustrative list is not exhaustive and if a player is in doubt as to the acceptability of a score, it is recommended that they check with the golf club where they are playing or the Authorized Association.

2.1a/2 – Scores From Competitions Not Organized By An Affiliated Golf Club

Rule 1.3(i) states that a player is expected to “submit all acceptable scores to provide reasonable evidence of their demonstrated ability”. Subject to other provisions set out within the Rules of Handicapping, an acceptable score from an authorized format of play must be submitted for handicap purposes, even if it was from a competition organized by an entity that is not affiliated to the Authorized Association, for example a Society or League.

When such scores are not submitted automatically by the entity organizing the competition, the player is required to submit the score using the procedures set out by the Authorized Association.

Where a player fails to submit an acceptable score or fails to comply with the procedures set out by the Authorized Association, the Handicap Committee should act in accordance with .

2.1b Played by the Rules of Golf

A round must be played by the Rules of Golf to be acceptable for handicap purposes, subject to the following:

(i)

Organized Competitions. In a situation where a player is disqualified from a competition for a breach of the Rules of Golf, but no significant scoring advantage has been gained, the score should remain acceptable for handicap purposes.

If a player is disqualified from a competition for any other breach of the Rules of Golf, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.

The final determination is at the discretion of the Committee, based on the circumstances.

(ii)

General Play. When an organized competition is not being contested, a score is not generally acceptable for handicap purposes if the player:

Breaches the Rules of Golf, and the correct penalty is not applied under the Rules of Golf, or
Deliberately ignores a Rule of Golf.

Where a player follows the provisions set down in a Model Local Rule, even when the Committee in charge of the course has not adopted that Model Local Rule, the score may still be acceptable for handicap purposes. The same situation applies where a player is in breach of a Model Local Rule that has been adopted by the Committee.

Examples of situations relating to Model Local Rules where a score might be acceptable for handicap purposes include:

A player has proceeded under the alternative option to the stroke and distance relief procedure, despite this Model Local Rule not being in effect, or
The player has used a distance-measuring device despite the Model Local Rule prohibiting their use being in effect.

The final determination is at the discretion of the Committee, based on the circumstances.

Rule 2.1b Clarifications:

2.1b/1 – Examples of When Player Has Been Disqualified From a Competition, But Gained No Significant Scoring Advantage

The Committee has the discretion to accept a score for handicap purposes if a player is disqualified from a competition, but no significant scoring advantage has been gained.

Examples of situations where a Committee may consider that no significant scoring advantage has been gained include:

Rule of Golf	Nature of Disqualification	Recommended Action for Handicap Purposes
3.3b(2)	Scorecard not signed and no Model Local Rule in place to modify penalty	Accept score
3.3b(2)	Scorecard not returned promptly	Accept score
3.3b(3)	Hole score entered on scorecard is lower than actual score	Accept corrected score

2.1b/2 – Examples of When Player Has Been Disqualified From a Competition for an Action That Would Have Provided a Significant Scoring Advantage

Examples of situations where a Committee may determine that a player has gained a significant scoring advantage include:

Rule of Golf	Nature of Disqualification	Recommended Action for Handicap Purposes
1.3b	Players deliberately agree to ignore a Rule or penalty they know applies	Score not acceptable
4.1a	Making a stroke with a non-conforming club	Score not acceptable
4.3a(1)	Using a distance-measuring device to measure elevation changes	Score not acceptable

2.1b/3 – Hole Not Played by The Rules of Golf in General Play

Where a player has breached the Rules of Golf in general play and knowingly failed to apply the correct penalty, the score should not generally be accepted for handicap purposes. However, depending on the circumstances, the Committee has the discretion to produce an acceptable score by:

Recording the actual score for the hole, or
Adjusting the hole score using net double bogey, or
Applying a score of net par.