The Rules
Player ’ s Responsibility
Certifying Hole Scores and Returning Scorecard 3.3b ( 2 ). During the round , the player should keep track of their scores for each hole .
When the round has ended , the player :
• Should carefully check the hole scores entered by the marker and raise any issues with the committee ,
• Must make sure that the marker certifies the hole scores on the scorecard ,
• Must not change a hole score entered by the marker except with the marker ’ s agreement or the Committee ’ s approval , and
• Must certify the hole scores on the scorecard and promptly return it to the committee , after which the player must not change the scorecard .
Wrong Score for a Hole 3.3b ( 3 ) If the player returns a scorecard with a wrong score for any hole :
• Returned Score Higher Than Actual Score : The higher returned score for the hole stands .
• Returned Score Lower Than Actual Score or No Score Returned : The player is disqualified . hard , numbers . In stroke play , the scorecard is the only equitable way to compare your performance to the rest of the field , so it is only fair that the verification process for this great equalizer is fool proof . Opinions on the Spieth matter aside , the game of golf worldwide is played under one set of rules that is jointly developed by the
USGA and R & A , and the PGA Tour is no exception to these . The scenario at hand is specifically covered by Rules 3.3b ( 2 ) and 3.3b ( 3 ) of the Rules of Golf .
At the core of Rule 3.3 is the fact that a player is always responsible for the scorecard with their name on it . For example , a marker may handle and record scores on a player ’ s scorecard for the entirety of the round , but it ultimately falls on the player to verify hole-by-hole scores as correct and ensure that they and their marker have signed the scorecard before returning it to the committee . The penalty structure for a wrong hole score is simple — if you sign and return for a score higher than you made , that higher score becomes official . Sign and return for a lower score , and you are disqualified .
Knowing the responsibilities of both you and your marker before leaving the scoring area can help save strokes — and potentially keep you in the game .
Missing a signature ? Don ’ t pack your bags just yet . As the official Rules of Golf publication reads , a player who returns a scorecard that is missing a signature from either the marker or the player is disqualified . Despite the emphasis on a player having sole responsibility of their scorecard , the question of why a player would be disqualified for a marker ’ s shortcoming is bound to arise .
As a result the USGA and R & A introduced Model Local Rule L-1 on January 1 , 2023 , an experimental rule which reduces the penalty for a missing signature ( player or marker ) from disqualification to a two-stroke penalty . This local rule was adopted by the VSGA for the 2023 championship season and resulted in a player avoiding disqualification from a missing marker ’ s signature at the close of stroke play at the 110th VSGA Amateur Championship .
Knowing the responsibilities of both you and your marker before leaving the scoring area can help save strokes — and potentially keep you in the game .
Tim Murphy is a past manager , championships and golf operations with the VSGA . He now works at the New England PGA section . vsga . org M AY / J UNE 2024 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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