Section 4 ADJUSTING HOLE SCORES
Q: Section 4, adjusting hole scores, says that a player who starts but does not complete a hole records for handicap purposes the "most likely score." This score must not exceed the player's maximum number under Equitable Stroke Control. Clarify the meaning of most likely score.
A: Most likely score is a judgment that each player must make based on the player's own game. It consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player's best judgment, the number of strokes needed to complete the hole from that position more than half the time. The player must evaluate each situation based on what the player can reasonably expect to score.
Finally, the player compares the most likely score to the maximum permitted under Equitable Stroke Control and enters the lower of the two. For example, if most likely score is 8 but the applicable ESC maximum is 7, the player enters a score, for handicap purposes, of X-7.
4-2/1. Explanation of "Holes Not Played" under The Rules of Golf in Accordance with the USGA Handicap System
Q: Are there any circumstances in which it is permissible for a player to record his or her most likely score for a hole, rather than recording par plus handicap strokes even though the hole was not played under the Rules of Golf?
A: Yes. Flexibility has been provided within the USGA Handicap System for a score to remain acceptable for handicap posting purposes in limited situations where the player has not played a hole(s) under the Rules of Golf, but the hole was played in such a manner that the player's score on the hole would be sufficiently accurate for handicap purposes. This policy better ascertains the player's potential ability by attempting to capture more scores for handicap purposes.
Example 1: If a player uses a distance-measuring device or plays a round under preferred lies where a Local Rule is not in effect, the score is acceptable for handicap purposes. (See Decision 5-1e/2 and Section 7.)
Example 2: A player starting, but not finishing a hole in stroke play (e.g., picking up before holing out) records the "most likely score" for handicap posting purposes (See Section 4-1) even though in breach of Rule 3-2 for failing to hole out.
Example 3: For situations that are generally out of the player's control, such as an incorrectly marked golf course, or incorrectly installed hole liners, the player's score for the hole is acceptable for handicap purposes.
Q: When applying strokes to determine a net score, the player with a plus Course Handicap must add strokes according to the handicap allocation table beginning with the 18th stroke hole. What score does a player with a plus Course Handicap record for a hole not played or not played under the Rules of Golf (See Section 4-1 and 4-2 and Section 7)?
A: For handicap purposes, the player must record a score of par minus one for any handicap strokes the player must give on that hole. For example, if a player with a Course Handicap of +3 does not play the 17th handicap stroke hole, which is a par 5, the player must record a score of par minus one for an X-4 on the hole. If the hole were the 10th handicap-stroke hole, the player would record a score of par.