2.1b Played by the Rules of Golf

A round must be played by the Rules of Golf to be acceptable for handicap purposes, subject to the following:

    (i) Organized Competitions. In a situation where a player is disqualified from a competition for a breach of the Rules of Golf, but no significant scoring advantage has been gained, the score should remain acceptable for handicap purposes.

    If a player is disqualified from a competition for any other breach of the Rules of Golf, the score is not acceptable for handicap purposes.

    The final determination is at the discretion of the Committee, based on the circumstances.
    (ii) General Play. When an organized competition is not being contested, a score is not generally acceptable for handicap purposes if the player:

    • Breaches the Rules of Golf, and the correct penalty is not applied under the Rules of Golf, or

    • Deliberately ignores a Rule of Golf.

    Where a player follows the provisions set down in a Model Local Rule, even when the Committee in charge of the course has not adopted that Model Local Rule, the score may still be acceptable for handicap purposes. The same situation applies where a player is in breach of a Model Local Rule that has been adopted by the Committee.

    Examples of situations relating to Model Local Rules where a score might be acceptable for handicap purposes include:

    • A player has proceeded under the alternative option to the stroke and distance relief procedure, despite this Model Local Rule not being in effect, or
    • The player has used a distance-measuring device despite the Model Local Rule prohibiting their use being in effect.

    The final determination is at the discretion of the Committee, based on the circumstances.

Rule 2.1b Clarifications:

2.1b/1 – Examples of When Player Has Been Disqualified From a Competition, But Gained No Significant Scoring Advantage

The Committee has the discretion to accept a score for handicap purposes if a player is disqualified from a competition, but no significant scoring advantage has been gained.

Examples of situations where a Committee may consider that no significant scoring advantage has been gained include:

Rule of Golf Nature of Disqualification Recommended Action for Handicap Purposes

3.3b(2)

 Scorecard not signed and no Model Local Rule in place to modify penalty

Accept score

3.3b(2)

Scorecard not returned promptly

Accept score

3.3b(3)

Hole score entered on scorecard is lower than actual score

Accept corrected score

2.1b/2 – Examples of When Player Has Been Disqualified From a Competition for an Action That Would Have Provided a Significant Scoring Advantage

Examples of situations where a Committee may determine that a player has gained a significant scoring advantage include:

Rule of Golf Nature of Disqualification Recommended Action for Handicap Purposes

1.3b

Players deliberately agree to ignore a Rule or penalty they know applies

Score not acceptable

4.1a

Making a stroke with a non-conforming club

Score not acceptable

4.3a(1)

Using a distance-measuring device to measure elevation changes

Score not acceptable

2.1b/3 – Hole Not Played by The Rules of Golf in General Play

Where a player has breached the Rules of Golf in general play and knowingly failed to apply the correct penalty, the score should not generally be accepted for handicap purposes. However, depending on the circumstances, the Committee has the discretion to produce an acceptable score by:

  • Recording the actual score for the hole, or

  • Adjusting the hole score using net double bogey, or

  • Applying a score of net par.