---
title: "To Post or Not to Post: Is that a Question? - FORE Magazine"
description: "The success of the math calculation in the USGA Handicap System™ is only as good as the data entered. As noted in Section 5-1 of The 2012-2015 USGA Handicap System manual, “Fair handicapping depends upon full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability as reflected by a complete scoring record. Every player must be responsible for returning all acceptable scores, as defined in this section.” Short and Sweet: the vast majority of scores are acceptable — there aren’t very many good excuses for not entering a score into your record. The SCGA offers various tools for posting acceptable […]"
---

[FORE Magazine - The Official Magazine of the SCGA ](https://fore.scga.org)

# [To Post or Not to Post: Is that a Question? - FORE Magazine](https://fore.scga.org/handicap-hints/to-post-or-not-to-post-is-that-a-question)

 Written by [Kevin O'Connor](https://fore.scga.org/author/kevin-oconnor) | Jul 1, 2015 7:00:00 AM

The success of the math calculation in the USGA Handicap System™ is only as good as the data entered. As noted in Section 5-1 of *The 2012-2015 USGA Handicap System* manual, “Fair handicapping depends upon full and accurate information regarding a player’s potential scoring ability as reflected by a complete scoring record. Every player must be responsible for returning all acceptable scores, as defined in this section.”

Short and Sweet: the vast majority of scores are acceptable — there aren’t very many good excuses for not entering a score into your record.

The SCGA offers various tools for posting acceptable scores: at the course computer, using the GHIN mobile app on your smartphone, going to scga.org, etc.

A key tenet of the Handicap System is that it is believed that a golfer will try to make the best score at every hole in every round. Play 18 holes under the principles of the Rules of Golf — absolutely an acceptable score. Actually, if you play at least 13 holes, you still have an acceptable 18-hole score. For the holes you haven’t played, you post par for the hole, plus any handicap strokes that you are entitled to (a player with a Course Handicap of 18 gets 1 stroke a hole, so that player would post bogey  for each hole not played). If someone plays between seven and 12 holes, this results in an acceptable nine-hole score for handicap purposes. So far, so good.

#### Scores on All Courses

Both a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating are required in order for a score to be posted. What scenario would result in one or both of these not being available? A course that is less than 3,000 yards for 18 holes or less than 1,500 yards for nine holes don’t receive a Slope Rating. This is because it is extremely difficult to determine how a player overcomes distance when playing such a course and translating that capability to a longer course. Also, some foreign countries have not adopted the USGA Course Rating System, so the relevant Rating information might not exist if you play abroad. As an example, a golfer going to England may see a value identified as SSS, or Standard Scratch Score. Elements of the USGA Course Rating System are used in the determination, but no Slope Rating is issued (periodically you can find a USGA Course Rating and Slope Rating at some of the popular courses in Great Britain if you look really hard).

#### Scores in All Forms of Competition

Scores in match play and stroke play must be posted for handicap purposes. You might ask how to address a stroke conceded in a match. We’ve discussed the concept of “most likely score” in previous editions of Handicap Hints. This same concept applies in a four-ball (often called best ball) when a player picks up on a hole because he or she is unable to better the score of the partner.

#### Preferred Lies

Scores made when playing preferred lies or winter rules result in acceptable score for handicap purposes.

#### Bad Round

Please don’t think that a “bad” score should not be entered, as such a score might knock another score out of your scoring record and impact the calculation of the Handicap Index. The most current data is the best data.

There are only a few situations when a score is unacceptable for handicap purposes:

- When a player uses non-conforming clubs, non-conforming balls, or non-conforming tees;
- When two balls are played throughout the round;
- While not playing your own ball — think scramble or shamble or foursomes (alternate shot).

So most of the time, keep on posting!

[View full post](https://fore.scga.org/handicap-hints/to-post-or-not-to-post-is-that-a-question)

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