2024 brings us a bunch of new rules from the USGA. The most significant of these involve posting scores. Starting immediately the USGA requires us to post scores hole by hole. The purpose of this is to look for patterns in scoring that would indicate that the player is attempting to fradulently manupulate his handicap. If you are unsure how to do that the simplist way is to load the GHIN app on your phone. It has the built in capability to enter the scores hole by hole. Takes no time at all and can be done before teeing off on the next hole! Or simply get your scorecard and enter the scores after the round! The new rules will give you an “expected” score for the incomplete holes so if you do not finish the round DO NOT enter any scores for unplayed holes.  This new system will fill them in for you.

So what is the big deal about posting on the day played? The biggest reason is the PCC calculation which takes the playing conditions that day into consideration.  If not all the scores played on the day of are not considered it throws the calculations off. There only needs to be 8 rounds played at a course for that calculation to be done.  And it affects everyone who played that course that day. The other is sandbagging for upcoming tourneys etc.

You are also all aware of our requirement to post scores before midnight of the same day played. That is not just a MHMGC rule, it is also a rule of the USGA and we use their rules as guidelines for all club play. Many of you have inquired about the application of Penalty Scores. In the most general case you will recieve a penalty score, determined by the Handicap Chairman, for not posting a score after a round played. In general…..according to the USGA website:

In a situation where a player fails to submit a score from an authorized format of play in a timely manner, the Handicap Committee should investigate the reason and take appropriate action.

(i) If There is a Valid Reason For a Score Not Having Been Submitted.The Handicap Committee of the player’s home club has the authority to determine whether a player’s reason for not submitting a score is a valid reason.
  • Valid reasons for not submitting a score can include:
    • Sudden injury or illness,
    • Emergency,
    • Dangerous weather conditions, or
    • Any other reason for stopping play that is considered valid by the Handicap Committee.
  • When the home club or the Committee considers that a player has a valid reason for not completing a round, there are two options:
    • Option 1 – The score must be posted. If the player does not complete their round but has completed the minimum number of holes determined by the Authorized Association for an acceptable 9-hole or 18-hole score, the score must be posted for handicap purposes.
    • Option 2 – The score must not be posted. If the player does not complete their round and has not completed the minimum number of holes determined by the Authorized Association for an acceptable 9-hole or 18-hole score, the score must not be posted for handicap purposes.
(ii) If There is No Valid Reason For a Score Not Having Been Submitted. The Committee has the authority to determine whether a player’s reason for not submitting a score is a valid reason.
  • Invalid reasons for not submitting a score can include:
    • Preventing a low score from causing a Handicap Index to decrease.
    • Preventing a high score from causing a Handicap Index to increase.
  • If the player’s score is identifiable and they stopped their round after having completed at least the minimum number of holes determined by the Authorized Association for an acceptable 9-hole or 18-hole score, the score should be posted for handicap purposes.
  • Where a Handicap Committee subsequently becomes aware of the score the player actually had after it has already posted a penalty score, the actual score should also be posted to the player’s scoring record. The Handicap Committee has discretion to leave the penalty score on the player’s scoring record or to remove it.
  • If the Handicap Committee concludes that a player failed to submit a score for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage, it should consider withdrawing the player’s Handicap Index, and/or applying an appropriate penalty score (high or low depending on intent).
  • The Handicap Committee or the Authorized Association should consider disciplinary procedures for players who repeatedly fail to submit their scores or who fail to complete rounds.

The following process will be used to determine appropriate actions by the Handicap Chairman when no score is submitted:

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