Scoring

[Matthew62]

Hello all, 

Hope you all are well. I have a question, it might be a no brainer or a dumb question but I have to ask it because I have all kinds of scenarios with different golfers that I meet on the course.

You see I was into archery before I got hooked on golf I became really good and even took it to competition and hunting big and small game and done really well. 
When ever I would shoot a round I always counted every shot whether  I dropped one or broke the line, I never took any gimmys.

So on the course I have played with guys that would pull out mulligans on the front on the back 9. If they have a blow up hole and have more than 7 strokes they only score 7 on the card. Some say I never put more 7. 
what do u guys think about this? I know the game is for fun and I really don’t care what they score but for me I just don’t feel right subtracting strokes. And there have been times where I had 5 or even 6 overindulged a hole. I don’t like it and it totally blows my score but I like to have my correct score so when I play there next time I can see if I can beat it.

just your thoughts

thanks!

[ShawnSum]

You'll run into that and unless you're directly competing against someone it's pretty much whatever. Golf means different things for different people, some go out to drink, some go out to screw around, some go out to compete against themselves and the course. I personally like to keep track of my game so I will always keep a handicap and play the game accordingly to the rules that govern it. I want my score and handicap to reflect my actual level of play.

As for the 7 strokes thing they might be doing that because of ESC (Equitable Stroke Control). It's a system to prevent sandbagging, in the case of a tournament you will record however big of number you make on the hole for total score, but as far as handicap goes nothing above a certain number will affect your handicap.

[Papa Steve 55]

If you want to track improvment you need benchmarks. Count your strokes.

[Double Mocha Man]

On 6/11/2020 at 10:28 AM, Matthew62 said:

So on the course I have played with guys that would pull out mulligans on the front on the back 9. If they have a blow up hole and have more than 7 strokes they only score 7 on the card. Some say I never put more 7.  What do u guys think about this?

The only problem is at the 19th hole when they start bragging about the 85 they didn't really shoot...

[Buckeyebowman]

I think, as far as handicap index is concerned, nothing above a double bogey is considered?  If I'm wrong please correct me. As I understood it, once you were 2 over you should just pick up your ball and mark down a double bogey! Who knows with the new, revised rules? And the "world" HI! 

[DaveP043]

10 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

I think, as far as handicap index is concerned, nothing above a double bogey is considered?  If I'm wrong please correct me. As I understood it, once you were 2 over you should just pick up your ball and mark down a double bogey! Who knows with the new, revised rules? And the "world" HI! 

For handicap posting ONLY, the maximum score is par + Handicap Strokes + 2, also known as Net Double Bogey.  Nobody has said you should just pick it up when you get to that point, that choice could depend on what type of competition you're playing (even a dollar bet might mean you should play it out), and how your pace of play is working out.  These rules did change a bit from the previous Handicap maximum score, but I don't think there's any need to confuse anyone by going over the old rules.

[mcanadiens]

For hackers like me there does sometimes get to be a point where it makes sense to pick it up, but it all depends on the sort of game it is.

In something like a club championship, you got no choice but to play it out until the ball is in the hole. In match play, you can concede the hole anytime you want. Naturally, if you want to brag about a score, it ought to be legitimate.

The guys from my old association play a quota game where bogey is 1 point and anything more than that is just a zero. In that case, there is no real purpose to continuing after reaching ESC. So after putting my first ball on Dorothy Lane on the par-4, No. 2 hole, hitting a crappy 5W on stroke 3 and then bouncing stroke 4 off a tree and losing the ball, picking up was the way to go. 

Funny thing though, my partners were watching a fellow in front of us (same game) giving himself putts all day. They said they were going to blow him in.

 

 

[Buckeyebowman]

12 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

For handicap posting ONLY, the maximum score is par + Handicap Strokes + 2, also known as Net Double Bogey.  Nobody has said you should just pick it up when you get to that point, that choice could depend on what type of competition you're playing (even a dollar bet might mean you should play it out), and how your pace of play is working out.  These rules did change a bit from the previous Handicap maximum score, but I don't think there's any need to confuse anyone by going over the old rules.

Hell, I'm still confused by the new rules! And just because you're posting for handicap, doesn't mean you are in a competition. And even if I'm playing for just a dollar, can't I concede a hole to keep things moving? I know, I know, only in match play! But what about unsanctioned play? 

[bones75]

I also think you should score what you shot (playing out the hole), unless you're falling behind, in which you case you may need to pick up at some point. 

Imo, your score is only how many strokes you played. An ESC adjusted stroke count is not your score, although I agree tons of people say it that way on the 19th. Just don't play them for money unless you agree on ROG or otherwise. Or better yet, bet them the next game, giving/taking strokes based on what they say they shoot, and make some $.

Edited June 16, 2020 by bones75

[DaveP043]

10 hours ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Hell, I'm still confused by the new rules! And just because you're posting for handicap, doesn't mean you are in a competition. And even if I'm playing for just a dollar, can't I concede a hole to keep things moving? I know, I know, only in match play! But what about unsanctioned play? 

I just brought up the Handicap maximum score issue to ease your confusion, and to minimize mis-information, as you asked.  In casual play, do whatever you want to do, but post for your handicap correctly. In match play, do whatever you want to do.  You can concede a hole if your opponent is in for birdie and you're putting for par, just record Most Likely Score for handicap.  Make appropriate decisions in light of pace of play.  

[p1n9183]

Forget about other players scores. Only care about your own. I prefer to play a great round of golf and loose to my playing partners than winning but playing poorly. 

Only care about other players playing by the rules if you are in a tournament or gambling with them, if not... 100% focus on your game.