9 things you should know about marking your golf score card

A quick refresher on the details of marking, signing and submitting your golf scorecard.

golf scorecard

The rules of golf are reasonably well-known (and documented) but surprisingly the nuances of marking the scorecard are often misunderstood.

Do you have to put the date on your card? Do you need to mark your scores as well as your playing partner’s? Do you need to add up the scores correctly?

These are some of the questions I still hear around the golf course as golfers mark and sign cards.

Here are 9 things related to marking your golf scorecard that answer some of these questions… and a few more.

  1. You can sign anywhere on the scorecard, not just on the line provided.
    Although it would help if you put the signature where the scorers are expecting to see it.
  2. You do not need to mark the date on the scorecard
    And cannot be disqualified for not doing so. It is the Committee’s responsibility that the correct date appears on your card.
  3. You do not need to mark your name the scorecard.
    Similar to adding the date to the card, it is the Committee’s responsibility to have your name on it, but if it isn’t there it’s wise to add it.
  4. You are responsible for marking down the correct score on each hole.
    You are not required to add up the scores or mark the correct Stableford points on the card and cannot be penalised for not doing so. A lower score returned for any hole will result in a DQ. A higher score is fine, with that score standing.
  5. Make sure your correct handicap is marked on the card (for handicapped competition).
    If there is no handicap or a higher handicap is recorded on the card you will be DQ’d, but you cannot be penalised for wrongly applying the handicap to the scores (i.e. incorrect net score).
  6. Both the marker and the golfer need to sign the card at the end of the round.
    Again a DQ will result if both signatures are not recorded on the card at the end of the round.
  7. If more than one marker scores your round, each must sign the scorecard.
    If your marker leaves after nine holes, make sure he signs for those nine holes before handing it to another player to mark the rest of the round.
  8. The marker’s score is not required on the player’s scorecard.
    While you are not required to keep your score as well as another golfer’s score, it’s probably wise to do so to compare scores at the end of the round.
  9. Anyone can mark your card,
    But they must sign it at the end of the round. Check your club for any rules relating to this as it is up to the club committee if they are required to hold a GA handicap.

12 thoughts on “9 things you should know about marking your golf score card

  • in a 2BB aggregate do both players have to sign the score card or just one and what is the penalty plus the marker

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    • Can my caddie mark my card?

      Reply
  • In a team of 3.. Who is responsible for signing card is it all 3 …and must 1 of the 3 have to sign were it says marker signature….

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    • Good question Sarah. Team golf score card marking aren’t included in the rules of golf so it is something the club competition should outline before play.

      Reply
    • Good question Sarah. Team golf score card marking aren’t included in the rules of golf so it is something the club competition should outline before play.

      Reply
  • player has an 84 but 88 was put in the gross score box every thing else is correct what score is used.

    Reply
  • in a competition at our golf club a competitor marked all the cards in the group, which he confirmed. Another player within the group signed the card. The player won the competition. After a complaint by another competitor in another group an investigation was carried out and the player was not disqualified and the result stood. Was this the correct decision?

    Reply
  • we have a married couple playing at our course who refuse to exchange cards and do not say what they had for the holes is there a ruling to combat this.

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  • What constitutes a valid signature
    Does the signature have to be eligible in name to identify the signor or can it be any sort of scribble as long as both cards have the same scribble

    Reply
  • Can you be disqualified for submitting a lower score into a computer or the IG app but the scorecard is correct in every detail?

    Reply
  • Can I check my score card and sign it in the club house before handing into committee

    Reply
  • In a 3bbb/4bbb does the score card require signing.

    Reply

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