Proper score keeping

[jetsknicks1]

My buddy and I play in a summer golf league (2 man scramble) and something came up yesterday during the playoffs. I was the official scorekeeper for both teams and I’ve always kept score a certain way. Instead of writing writing down the actual score I’ll put down -1 (circled) for birdie, — for par, +1 for bogey and so on.  One of the other players looked at the card and said that was against the rules (they are very cool guys and there was no confrontation at all), is he correct about it being a rule violation?

[Patch]

If you have always done it that way, and I assume turned the score card in with out any questions, it probably works. I have seen it done before in tournaments I have been involved in with no issues.

As for a rule against it, I don't really know. With as many rules as there are associated with sanctioned, golf play, there probably is some obscure rule against it. 

[NM Golf]

First, I'm not sure why you would keep score in such a way? Secondly, you shouldn't be the official scorer for both teams, each team should keep the other's score. So to answer your question, I can't find that exact ruling in the Rules of Golf, but I would have to think it is an infraction, because the wrong score is recorded. 

It's no secret that summer golf leagues are a little fast and loose with the rules, and this is one example. Scrambles aren't even covered by the rules of golf anyway so...

Edited August 24, 2018 by NM Golf

[jetsknicks1]

50 minutes ago, Patch said:

If you have always done it that way, and I assume turned the score card in with out any questions, it probably works. I have seen it done before in tournaments I have been involved in with no issues.

As for a rule against it, I don't really know. With as many rules as there are associated with sanctioned, golf play, there probably is some obscure rule against it. 

That was my thought. I’ve never had anybody on the committee say anything about it.

52 minutes ago, NM Golf said:

First, I'm not sure why you would keep score in such a way? Secondly, you shouldn't be the official scorer for both teams, each team should keep the other's score. So to answer your question, I can't find that exact ruling in the Rules of Golf, but I would have to think it is an infraction, because the wrong score is recorded. 

It's no secret that summer golf leagues are a little fast and loose with the rules, and this is one example. Scrambles aren't even covered by the rules of golf anyway so...

It’s just the way I’ve always done it, don’t know why. The score comes out the same either way.

[Vinsk]

13 minutes ago, jetsknicks1 said:

It’s just the way I’ve always done it, don’t know why. The score comes out the same either way.

Just quit doing it that way. Write the number. You’re just adding an extra mental step which can only increase the chance of error. 

[NM Golf]

26 minutes ago, jetsknicks1 said:

It’s just the way I’ve always done it, don’t know why. The score comes out the same either way.

Well not really. a bunch of +1, -1, and - don't actually add up to anything. Scores on a scorecard should add up to a total score. If you want to mark birdies and bogeys you can do so with circles and squares. Look, like I said, golf leagues are not known for their strict adherence to the Rules of Golf so in your league I am sure you are fine. But, if you ever plan to play in any real competitions you should learn to properly fill out a scorecard.

Edited August 24, 2018 by NM Golf

[Rulesman]

The rules require that a score is entered on the card not a code.

I would suggest that there is presumption in the rules that a marker does not record his own side's scores.

Edited August 24, 2018 by Rulesman

[Zeph]

The actual number of strokes is better. You could have calculated wrong one a hole and written a wrong number. That is of course possible when writing shots too, but I think it's more appropriate to write shots.

[Martyn W]

1 hour ago, jetsknicks1 said:

My buddy and I play in a summer golf league (2 man scramble) and something came up yesterday during the playoffs. I was the official scorekeeper for both teams and I’ve always kept score a certain way. Instead of writing writing down the actual score I’ll put down -1 (circled) for birdie, — for par, +1 for bogey and so on.  One of the other players looked at the card and said that was against the rules (they are very cool guys and there was no confrontation at all), is he correct about it being a rule violation?

The Rule is 6-6 

6-6. Scoring in Stroke Play

a. Recording Scores

After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitorand record it. On completion of the round the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.

See also 33-5

 

[dennyjones]

The couple of scramble tournaments that I played have always demanded that nothing but the score be on the card.    They entered the scores by hole into a spreadsheet which was displayed upon a giant TV for everyone to see.

[criley4way]

It is your league so do it however you want.

If you are playing in a tournament by the rules of golf and for turning in a handicap write the number of strokes then adjust for ESC.

But go have fun. Keep score with +1, dots, happy faces WHATEVER as long as everyone is good with it.

[Buckeyebowman]

It has been my experience that the score made on a hole is what is marked on the scorecard. If it is a birdie or eagle, that is what determines a circle or two around the score. The same with a square or two after a bogey or double!

[Piz]

I keep score much like the OP.  As long as the score is correct; I don't see what difference it makes.  When I score a baseball game I don't use exactly the same notations as someone else might.  All I am concerned with is that the information is accurate.  

[iacas]

Don't even bother with the circles and squares and stuff. It just makes it tougher to read the actual numbers.

Just write the score down. The actual number. Not a code. Not circles. A 1, 2, 5, 7, 12… whatever they got. Write that down.

If you want to keep a tally beneath, keep a running total of their score relative to par if you want. But not in the boxes that matter.

[jetsknicks1]

8 hours ago, iacas said:

Don't even bother with the circles and squares and stuff. It just makes it tougher to read the actual numbers.

Just write the score down. The actual number. Not a code. Not circles. A 1, 2, 5, 7, 12… whatever they got. Write that down.

If you want to keep a tally beneath, keep a running total of their score relative to par if you want. But not in the boxes that matter.

I disagree that it makes it tougher to read because it’s pretty self explanatory when you see the card. I was just wondering if there’s an actual rule against marking the card the way I do?

[Rulesman]

4 hours ago, jetsknicks1 said:

I disagree that it makes it tougher to read because it’s pretty self explanatory when you see the card. I was just wondering if there’s an actual rule against marking the card the way I do?

The Rule requires the gross score for the hole to be recorded. Not a code or symbol.

Rule 6-6a After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it.

Edited August 25, 2018 by Rulesman

[Asheville]

As does R31-3. Scoring
The marker is required to record for each hole only the gross score of whichever partner's score is to count. The gross scores to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise, the side is disqualified. Only one of the partners need be responsible for complying with Rule 6-6b.

[iacas]

4 hours ago, jetsknicks1 said:

I disagree that it makes it tougher to read because it’s pretty self explanatory when you see the card.

There's no real disagreement here to be had - it's a fact that it makes it tougher to read.

Which of these is easier to read?

3       or       ②       ?

4       or       ③       ?

2       or       ④       ?

In every case the answer is the first one.

The second column of numbers have "more stuff" going on, and gives more information, which makes it tougher to read. It's more complex. Your brain has to process not only the number, but the circle, which may or may not even be right. And heaven forbid the circle overlaps the "3" in a way that makes it difficult to read the actual number, which can also happen pretty frequently.

A scorer at the scoring table isn't interested in symbols like circles and squares and things like that. They want the numbers. The more you add beyond the numbers themselves, the more difficult the numbers are to read.

This is simple stuff, really - the more stuff you add, the longer it takes to process. Scorers aren't looking for symbols to figure out how many over par or under par you are. They're looking for the actual numbers, because those are what matter. Yes, it may be "easier" for a golfer to figure out if he's 2 over par by looking at circles and squares, but that's not what a scorer does - to look at and read the numbers, any added decorations makes it more difficult.

P.S. How about these?

3 4 4 4 3 5 4 4 3

③ 4 ④ 4 ⓷ 5 4 ④ 3

Did you catch that the one 3 was a double circle? Mix in some squares with those circles and it becomes even more difficult.