Fourball Card Marking - or not!

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Played a in fourball competition last weekend. Left it to my buddy to sort out marking of cards with the other pair - one was an inexperienced junior (off 13). I'd overheard a couple of conversations about score with my buddy and the junior as we went round but thought nothing of it. Having finished my buddy asks about signing cards - I said only the markers needed to sign the cards. He looked a bit confused - turns out for some reason he hadn't swapped cards...(no please - he is a very intelligent guy). The discussions ion the way round were around how to mark the score of the player who came in on each hole as there was only the one 'markers' column (or something like that - I dunno).

I'm assuming both pairs should have been disqualified. I mentioned the mistake (somewhat bemused as I was by why on earth my buddy had done what he'd not done) to both but didn't tell them that I reckoned we were both disqualified. Anyway neither we nor the other pair came anywhere.

 

[Birchy]

I think usually you would get disqualified for that. Maybe if you would of finished in the places you might of been DQ but because you werent they just left it?

Next time i reckon you should mark the card

 

[duncan mackie]

interesting one!

there is no requirement for the marker to maintain a record of his own score
there is no requirement for the scores to be entered on the card at a specific point whilst playing
there are obviously best practice issues for both!

what is required is that the gross score on each hole is recorded correctly by the marker, with an indication of who's score it was, and that the card is signed by both the marker and the player (in this case one from each side will suffice as you mention) - in addition to the handicaps of both players being accurately stated.

if this can all be pieced together with no doubt in the minds of either player or marker prior to signature by marker and player, then submission to the committee (as designated) then there is no prima facie reason for DQ.

 

[Colin L]

Interestingly, Rule 6-6a does not state that the marker must record the scores, only that he should do so. What the marker must do is to sign the card. From which you might infer that it is ok for the player to have written the scores on the card provided the marker signs it - and has been present throughout the game.

I'm a bit uncomfortable with that, however, but don't have time at the moment to look into it further. I can't see a relevant Decision.

 

[Colin L]

I've just returned to confirm that I'm happy after some thought that it is acceptable within the rules for the player to record his scores and the marker to sign the card, and what do I find? Duncan and I were at it it again with simultaneous postings.

As before, it's as well we agree.

NB The reason I said that the marker had to be present throughout the game was that I was mindful of a Decision about a player who continues to play and record his own scores while his marker takes time off for a rest. (D6-6a/2)

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-06/#6-6a/2

You might notice that the wording of the answer is

Since A was not accompanied by a marker for three holes, he did not have an acceptable score.
​

The Decision does not say the marker had to be writing down the scores, just that he had to be present during play.

 

[duncan mackie]

NB The reason I said that the marker had to be present throughout the game was that I was mindful of a Decision about a player who continues to play and record his own scores while his marker takes time off for a rest. (D6-6a/2)

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules...ion-06/#6-6a/2

Since A was not accompanied by a marker for three holes, he did not have an acceptable score.
​

The Decision does not say the marker had to be writing down the scores, just that he had to be present during play.

6-6b/6 takes this concept even further - well about as far as it can be taken! As long as there was a marker, even if he disappears with the card a player's scores can be accepted on his say so alone!

 

[Colin L]

... even if he disappears with the card .........

And that doesn't just apply to the Seniors' section

 

[sJoe]

interesting one!



what is required is that the gross score on each hole is recorded correctly by the marker, with an indication of who's score it was, and that the card is signed by both the marker and the player (in this case one from each side will suffice as you mention) - in addition to the handicaps of both players DQ.

It's not actually necessary to enter handicaps or handicap allowances..all a player and his marker are responsible for are the gross scores..even adding them up and allocating points as in stableford is up to the competition committee..

 

[Region3]

It's not actually necessary to enter handicaps or handicap allowances..all a player and his marker are responsible for are the gross scores..even adding them up and allocating points as in stableford is up to the competition committee..

I don't think that's quite right Joe, the player should record their handicap on the card as well as gross scores (minimum).

6-2
In any round of a handicap competition, the competitor must ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee. If no handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned (Rule 6-6b), or if the recorded handicap is higher than that to which he is entitled and this affects the number of strokes received, he is disqualified from the handicap competition; otherwise, the score stands.

 

[6inchcup]

it still surprise me how many playing in comps DONT know how to fill a card in, you need your name,name of comp.your h/c and then strokes received,all holes to be filled in and checked against the card your marking,then signed by both marker and named person on the card,cant be any easier surly.

 

[duncan mackie]

I don't think that's quite right Joe, the player should record their handicap on the card as well as gross scores (minimum).

6-2
In any round of a handicap competition, the competitor must ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee. If no handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned (Rule 6-6b), or if the recorded handicap is higher than that to which he is entitled and this affects the number of strokes received, he is disqualified from the handicap competition; otherwise, the score stands.

:thup:

 

[Colin L]

it still surprise me how many playing in comps DONT know how to fill a card in, you need your name,name of comp.your h/c and then strokes received,all holes to be filled in and checked against the card your marking,then signed by both marker and named person on the card,cant be any easier surly.

I'm not clear what you mean by "and then strokes received". All that is required is that you record your handicap.