Rules Corner
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Scoring In Stroke Play
by Wendy Uzelac, USGA
The scoring area is a sacred area from a rules standpoint. We use a quiet area in which only the officials assigned to work in scoring (we assign two officials to this duty) are allowed, along with the players and their caddies. We also specifically define the scoring area. This is an important point because the Rules Committee at the U.S. Open defines a score card as being returned when the player has given his score card to the official and has left the scoring area.
The rule on scoring in stroke play is Rule 6-6:
6-6. Scoring in Stroke Play
a. Recording Scores
After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. On completion of the round, the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.
b. Signing and Returning Score Card
After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 6-6b: Disqualification.
c. Alteration of Score Card
No alteration may be made on a score card after the competitor has returned it to the Committee.
d. Wrong Score for Hole
The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands.
Note 1: The Committee is responsible for the addition of scores and application of the handicap recorded on the score card - see Rule 33-5.
You will notice the player is only responsible for his hole-by-hole score and that the committee is responsible for the addition. Another interesting point is if a player writes an incorrect score for a hole that is higher than what he actually shot, the higher score will stand. However, if he records a score lower than actually shot he will be disqualified.
It’s always a good idea to have an extra set of eyes and a routine to go over your score card before you sign and return it to the committee.
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