Must I Post Best Ball Scores?

DOES THE USGA REALLY SAY I MUST POST BEST BALL SCORES?

This question comes up a lot, and Yes, each player must post their score unless scores will be posted by the tournament committee.

Many think that if a player picks up on a hole, then no score can be posted, or the score must be the high ESC (equitable stroke control maximum score). That is incorrect.

When a player does not finish a hole, then the score for that hole is simply the score the player would most likely made had they finished the hole. For example, you are 8 feet from the hole putting for par and you partner holes it from 20 feet for birdie. You pick up. The score you most likely would have made would have been bogey and that should be used for posting a score. If you were close to the hole, then posting a par would be correct. This is a player judgment based upon the difficulty of the remaining play.

Remember, if you pick up or do not finish a hole, you still must post the score you would have most likely made had you finished. And each player must post a score for handicapping purposes when playing a best ball tournament.

One other thing.  In the northwest the term "Best Ball" is often used in place of the correct term which is Four-Ball.   At the OGA, we continue to try to educate the golfing public by making more people aware of the term "Four-Ball."   For more information, refer to Rule 31 in the Rules of Golf which pertains to Four Ball stroke play.

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