5.9 Submission of an Exceptional Score

When an exceptional score is posted to a player’s scoring record, the Handicap Index will be reduced in accordance with the following adjustment table:

• A reduction can be applied based on a single exceptional score.
• Reductions for multiple exceptional scores are applied cumulatively.
• A reduction is automatically applied within the calculation of a player’s updated Handicap Index following the submission of an exceptional score.
• A reduction for an exceptional score is applied by adjusting each of the most recent 20 Score Differentials recorded in the player’s scoring record, which includes the exceptional score. As a result, the impact of the reduction will remain after the next score is submitted but will dilute over time as new scores are submitted.

Where there are fewer than 20 Score Differentials in a player’s scoring record at the time an exceptional score is submitted, the reduction is applied by adjusting all of the Score Differentials recorded in the player's scoring record, which includes the exceptional score.

• Additional handicap review notifications will be generated for the Handicap Committee’s consideration, when:
  • Multiple exceptional score reductions are applied to a player’s Handicap Index.
  • A Score Differential is 10.0 strokes or more below a player’s Handicap Index in effect when that round was played and an exceptional score reduction of
    -2.0 is triggered.
• The Handicap Committee is permitted to override any adjustment for an exceptional score if it considers that the adjustment would result in a player’s Handicap Index not being a fair reflection of their demonstrated ability (see Rule 7.1a Conducting a Handicap Review and Adjusting a Handicap Index).

(See Diagram 5.9.)