Marker & Player Responsibilities

In a stroke play event, one of your primary responsibilities as a competitor is to ensure the accuracy of your scorecard. In many cases, you will also be a “marker” and be required to attest to the accuracy of another player’s scorecard.

The Rules detail exactly what you as a player must do with regard to the scorecard:

1. You must ensure that the GROSS (scratch) score for each hole is recorded on the card.
2. Once those scores are verified as correct, you must certify (typically means signing) the scorecard and make sure your marker (or markers if more than one took care of your card during the round) has also certified the scorecard. (In partner events, only one member of the side needs to certify).
3. You must return the certified scorecard to the Committee promptly. As a general rule of thumb, if the group behind you returns their cards before you do, you did not return your card promptly.

Some things you are not responsible for (and the Committee can’t make you):

1. Adding up the total score. The Committee is always the one responsible for adding up the scorecard. Even if you decide to add it up and make a mistake, as long as the hole-by-hole scores are correct, the Committee must correctly add your score.
2. Figuring out the net or better-ball (four-ball) score. The Committee is always responsible for applying the form of play. This includes calculating net scores, stableford points, maximum scores or better-ball score in those forms of play.
3. Initials. A common misconception is that any changes to a scorecard must be initialed by the marker. If the scorecard has already been signed/certified, the marker needs to agree to any changes a player makes, but there is no requirement to initial those changes.
4. Keeping a card in match play. Scorecards are solely for stroke play. A scorecard in match play has absolutely no status. We only give out cards in match play so that players and referees can keep track of the match somewhere.

Scorecard Procedures and Errors

When you get to the scoring area it is important that you remember to take care of your responsibilities because it could be the difference between winning an event and being disqualified.

Review your scores and make sure the hole-by-hole scores are correct. Then make sure to sign your scorecard and if you served as a marker for another player review those scores and sign that scorecard as well. It is also a good idea to remain in the scoring area until the scoring official has dismissed you and confirmed the scores.

If you make a mistake, the possible penalties for not taking care of your scorecard responsibilities are in some cases severe:

• If you return your card and leave the scoring area without certifying it (usually by signing) or your marker’s certification – you are disqualified.
• If you fail to return the card promptly – you are disqualified.
• If you sign for a lower score on a hole – disqualification; a higher score – you’re stuck with it. (Except when the lower score is due to a failure to include a penalty you did not know about – see below).

If you make a mistake with a hole score because you did not include penalty strokes that you were unaware of, that is a situation where you are not disqualified, but the Committee has to apply the forgotten penalty strokes to your score. It is a good idea to review any questionable situations with the Committee before returning the scorecard to avoid any potential problems.