Question about keeping score on terrible holes

[Mr Smell Good]

I'm getting a lot better lately and I'm capable of making a lot of pars and bogeys throughout 18 holes,  but I don't think I've ever played a round without at least 1 triple bogey somewhere in there.  Just this last weekend I had one of the most discouraging games I've ever played and managed to shoot 4 triple bogeys or worse.

Both my uncle and a co-worker have told me that when you are keeping score you're supposed to give yourself a max score of triple bogey on any given hole.  My co-worker explained that it was because anything higher would mess up your handicap, but when I think about it that doesn't make sense because your handicap probably should go up.  So my question is - do you count every hole as if you're in a tournament and if you get a 10 on a par 4 it's a 10, or do you max out at triple bogey?  Apologies if this is a dumb question.

[Mordan]

Originally Posted by Mr Smell Good

I'm getting a lot better lately and I'm capable of making a lot of pars and bogeys throughout 18 holes,  but I don't think I've ever played a round without at least 1 triple bogey somewhere in there.  Just this last weekend I had one of the most discouraging games I've ever played and managed to shoot 4 triple bogeys or worse.

Both my uncle and a co-worker have told me that when you are keeping score you're supposed to give yourself a max score of triple bogey on any given hole.  My co-worker explained that it was because anything higher would mess up your handicap, but when I think about it that doesn't make sense because your handicap probably should go up.  So my question is - do you count every hole as if you're in a tournament and if you get a 10 on a par 4 it's a 10, or do you max out at triple bogey?  Apologies if this is a dumb question.

You count every stroke, so if you take 10 or 12 your score is a 10 or 12. But under the USGA system there is a maximum number that you can post for handicap, I believe it varies depending on your handicap but I'm sure you can look it up. But your uncle and co-worker are wrong, and if they're telling you they shot a 98 on the weekend but in fact took 102 strokes but have "capped" at triple bogey then it's not a legitimate score.

[Meltdwhiskey]

It will not mess up your handicap because you would use Equitable Score Control to enter the score according to the HC system. It is kind of what your uncle said, but it is more specific.  Since you are a 17 handicap, the biggest score for any give hole you can count toward your total score is 7.  However, you take that off at the end of the round - instead of just quitting at triple bogey.  You get what you get and that is your score - the only thing different is how you enter it into the HC system.  And if you carry a handicap, you are supposed to enter all rounds you play.

I know a bunch of people who pick up when a hole starts to go bad.  I guess it keeps the score lower that it should have been and they feel a little better about themselves - even if artificially.  But I like to know what I got. I always hope to do well, but don't like the thought of sort of telling myself a lie about how good I am.

[Mr Smell Good]

Originally Posted by Mordan

You count every stroke, so if you take 10 or 12 your score is a 10 or 12. But under the USGA system there is a maximum number that you can post for handicap, I believe it varies depending on your handicap but I'm sure you can look it up. But your uncle and co-worker are wrong, and if they're telling you they shot a 98 on the weekend but in fact took 102 strokes but have "capped" at triple bogey then it's not a legitimate score.

Originally Posted by Meltdwhiskey

It will not mess up your handicap because you would use Equitable Score Control to enter the score according to the HC system. It is kind of what your uncle said, but it is more specific.  Since you are a 17 handicap, the biggest score for any give hole you can count toward your total score is 7.  However, you take that off at the end of the round - instead of just quitting at triple bogey.  You get what you get and that is your score - the only thing different is how you enter it into the HC system.  And if you carry a handicap, you are supposed to enter all rounds you play.

I know a bunch of people who pick up when a hole starts to go bad.  I guess it keeps the score lower that it should have been and they feel a little better about themselves - even if artificially.  But I like to know what I got. I always hope to do well, but don't like the thought of sort of telling myself a lie about how good I am.

Thanks for the replies guys!  Makes sense.  Your score is what it is, but sometimes you adjust it after the round for handicap reasons.  I like that idea anyway because it really holds you accountable.  I have a bad habit of losing balls and I really need to work on playing more conservatively.