Referees will announce out loud the hole scores of each side and the match score at the conclusion of each hole played and will handle the scorecard.
At the conclusion of each hole, please announce to the players and fans as follows:
Example:
Referee: “Smith-3, Jones-4. Smith is 1 up.”
Four-Ball: “Adams/Johnson-3, Burns/Haley-4. Adams/Johnson is 1 up.”
Always announce/report the scores of the players in the order of how their names appear on the scorecard. In other words, if Smith is listed on the top line and Jones on the second line, always announce Smith’s score first and then Jones’ score, regardless of who won the hole.
When announcing the scores, do not use Mr., Ms., Mrs. or Miss.
If Jones is 2 up with two holes to play, announce that “Jones is 2 up with two holes to play.”
If a match goes to extra holes, the winner of the match will always win by one hole. Therefore, announce the match score as “Jones wins in 20 holes.”
At the conclusion of your match, please radio USGA Scoring with the final match score and then take the scorecard to USGA Scoring. The confirmation of the final match score by scoring often makes the match result final, so it’s important to promptly call in the final match score.
Hand-held scoring devices are used in most USGA championships. These devices are updated by a walking scorer or by the Referee. The same scores announced at the conclusion of each hole should be entered into the hand-held scoring device.
If scoring devices are not used, the Referee may be requested to radio in the individual hole-by-hole score at the conclusion of each hole. At the discretion of the Championship Director, scores may be called in by radio, in addition to being entered in the handheld scoring device, during later rounds of match play. When scores are required to be radioed in at the conclusion of each hole, please contact USGA Scoring. Wait for a response from them. After they acknowledge your call, please say, “match #, hole #, player name on line 1, score, player name on line 2, score, match score.” They will then repeat your information for confirmation.
Example:
Referee: “Match 4 to Scoring.”
USGA Scoring: “Scoring, go ahead Match 4.”
Referee: “Scoring, Match 4, Hole 1. Smith-3, Jones-4. Smith is 1 up.”
USGA Scoring: “Match 4, Hole 1. Smith-3, Jones-4. Smith is 1 up.”
Referee: “Correct.”
Also, since as many as 16 matches will be on each channel, please make sure that no one else is speaking before you try to contact USGA Scoring.
PLEASE NOTE: It may be difficult to reach USGA Scoring in some areas of the golf course. If you are unable to reach USGA Scoring after two or three attempts, please wait until after the next hole to contact USGA Scoring.
In all rounds of match play, even if hand-held scoring devices are in use, at the conclusion of your match, please radio USGA Scoring with the final result. The confirmation of the score from scoring makes the match result final so it is very important this is done in a timely manner. Ensure that the radio is clear before making your announcement. After radioing USGA Scoring, please take the match play scorecard to USGA Scoring.
EXAMPLES OF HOW TO SCORE VARIOUS SITUATIONS (Match is Smith versus Jones)
Players and fans watching the match normally understand the result of a hole when viewing it in person. However, the results are also posted online, and it is necessary to record a numeric score in most cases to make the result understandable to those not following the match in person. Therefore, the following are provided as guidelines to record and report this information.
When a concession of a hole is made, ALL balls involved in the match are treated as being holed with their next stroke, regardless of the distance involved.
When a concession of a hole is made, any required penalty strokes (out of bounds, ball at rest moved, etc.) are accounted for in scores entered into the hand-held scoring device and radioed to USGA Scoring.
Example A: Both players have played tee shots and Smith’s tee shot is played out of bounds and they then concede. Smith lies 2 (1 stroke and 1 required penalty stroke) and Jones lies 1, so Smith scores 3 and Jones scores 2.
Example B: Smith’s second shot is in a yellow penalty area, and they then concede. Smith lies 2 and because relief is not required, Smith scores 3.
If a player gets a “loss of hole” penalty, their score for the hole is reported as “X” in the scoring system. The opponent’s score is the number of strokes already made plus 1 for the conceded stroke.
Report any breaches of Rule 4.1b to the Championship Director, Chief Referee or Rules Lead, and USGA Scoring as it requires a match adjustment.
If a hole is conceded when the players have taken the same number of strokes, the player who concedes gets an “X” for the hole and the score for the other player is the number of strokes taken plus one for the conceded stroke.
SAMPLE SITUATIONS (Match is Smith versus Jones)
Situation 1: Both players lie 3 and the match is tied, Smith makes their putt, Jones misses and picks up without holing out.
Referee: “Smith-4, Jones-5. Smith is 1 up.”
Situation 2: On a par 4, Smith has a 10-foot putt for par. Jones holes a 20-foot putt for birdie.
Referee: “Smith-4, Jones-3. The match is tied.”
Situation 3: On a par 5, Smith lies 3, 4 feet from the hole. Jones misses their putt for par. Jones then concedes Smith’s putt or the hole.
Referee: “Smith-4, Jones-6. Smith is 1 up.”
Situation 4: Both players have played two strokes. Smith’s second shot went out of bounds and they concede the hole.
Referee: “Smith-4, Jones-3. The match is tied.”
Situation 5: Both players lie 2. Smith improves the area of their intended swing prior to their third stroke.
Referee: “Smith gets a loss of hole penalty. Jones is 1 up.” (X is entered for Smith, 3 is entered for Jones.)
Situation 6: During the fourth hole, it is discovered that Smith started the round with 16 clubs in their bag. Both players hole out in four strokes.
Referee: “Smith-4, Jones-4. Smith gets two holes deducted from the match score. Jones is 3 up.” (Report the match adjustment penalty to the Championship Director, Chief Referee or Rules Lead, and USGA Scoring.)
Situation 7: Smith and Jones both lie 2 on the putting green, Smith has a 60-foot putt and Jones is only 3 feet away. Smith concedes the hole.
Referee: “Smith concedes the hole. Jones is 4 up.” (X is entered for Smith, 3 is entered for Jones.)
