The scorecard is the final document used during competitive rounds of golf. It is not a complicated process to record your golf score, but mistakes do happen. Sometimes they are unintentional and other times intentional. I know we do not want to think that some golfers would sandbag the field, but it does happen. Interestingly, golf is one of those unique sports where each player keeps another’s scorecard and attests to their own score. There is a bit of pressure to correctly follow the rules, but not as complicated at we might think.
Here is a quick overview of the do’s and don’ts of filling out a scorecard properly.
I find it interesting that when sandbaggers are caught, they are immediately disqualified. The most interesting aspect of the of filling out the scorecard is saying a player is playing to a higher handicap than they actually hold. This particular ‘error’ is more common than we would hope in competitive golf.
I have not had to place my handicap on a scorecard for years. I play in very few NET events that I have not filled out my scorecard fully for years. But, it is important to know the rules on this aspect of a competitive round.
Lastly, it is important to keep the score of your opponent and yours as well. I do both and scratch out my score after we attest the score. It is important have both scores so that at the end we can double check the score and be able to sign off the scorecard properly. Remember, you are only concerned with your gross score. The rest of the math is filled out by the committee.
Filling out a scorecard properly is key to competitive golf. It is important to know what you as a player is responsible for and what needs to be entered correctly. I am fortunate that I have never been been disqualified for filling out an improper scorecard and after watching the video above, I am confident it will never happen.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I have been running my Wednesday golf league for 11 years now. We play around 31 rounds a season. We usually play in foursomes. Each foursome has a designated marker. It is up to the marker to write down the scores. We do not allow the marker to total up the scores. The scores are totaled by the handicap
committee. The only thing the players have to do is tell the marker their handicap. To this day from the beginning of the league I cannot believe that grown men and women could possibly give the wrong handicap. The day after a
tournament the new handicaps are posted on the league bulletin board. Every
Thursday with out fail. Try as I might at least 1 player inevitably puts the wrong
handicap down. Because of the wide spread of handicaps we play low net only.
If a player gives a lower handicap it is counted that way. If they give a higher handicap they are disqualified for that round. If it happens 3 times in a season
they are removed from the roster till the next season.
The only official score card used is the markers. Once a scores is given you must correct it before the next hole, or in case of the 18th hole before the card is signed.
I cannot believe that players can be that petty. But I guess it does happen. If that happened to me I wouldn’t show my face around the golf course.
Sometimes it feels like I’m baby sitting 35 children. I guess it goes with the
responsibility of running the league.
If I didn’t love golf and the thrill of competition I would give it up.
Mike
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Mike,
I have run a few tournaments in the past. I would say that 95% of the players are excellent and go with the flow. However, there are always one or two who will never be happy. From work I have a saying that 20% of the people cause 80% of the challenges. That goes the same for any event in my opinion. Regardless, the 35 other players in your league appreciate your efforts; volunteers make the world go round at local golf courses. I would be grateful if you ran a league I played in for sure.
Cheers Jim
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That’s interesting. An area I’ve never had to look into since I don’t play tournament golf. They’ve made it plenty simple enough it seems.
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Kevin
It really is simple. Many players think they are responsible for the math, but alas they are not…..thank goodness. 😉
Cheers Jim
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