USGA officials receiving scorecards should establish a routine such as the following:  

• When able to do so, note the finishing time of the group (when the last ball is removed from the hole) on the pairings sheet, or similar if provided by the Championship Director, and return it to the USGA Office at the end of your shift.  

• Ask the players if they have any Rules questions.  

• Ask each player to check their score for each hole.  

• Make sure both the player (or a player on a side) and their marker have certified (i.e. signed) the scorecard.  

• Make sure the player checks hole-by-hole scores along with marker. A player may not change their score without the marker’s agreement or Committee’s approval.  

• If there were any pace of play (POP) penalties during the round, the POPA will communicate those to you. Make sure that the player(s) has include any penalties on the appropriate hole(s).  

• Check the hole-by-hole scores and verify that scores are recorded for each hole (double check those that started on a hole other than No. 1). Total the nines for each scorecard. Avoid making any comments on the players’ scores other than “good round” for an exceptional round. 

• If a hole score needs to be changed or made legible, have the player or marker correct it.  

• Confirm that the name on the scorecard belongs to the player whose score it belongs to.  

• The scoring official and the player should agree on the total score.  

• • • Make sure the players wait until one of the USGA officials has reviewed all scorecards.  

• Write the correct total score and record it in the upper right-hand corner of the scorecard and initial the scorecard.  

• Once the players have left the scoring area, please fill in the 3 x 5 cards. The 3 x 5 cards are used to as an independent check to ensure the computer is correct for the match-play draw, so it is essential that they are correct.   

• • • Record the score on the 3 x 5 card.  

• • • File 3 x 5 cards as follows:  

• • • • • After the first round, file in the same order as tee times.  

• • • • • After the second round, file in order of scores, with the lowest on top. File ties in order of return. In case of ties in a group, file in order listed on the pairings sheet.  

• • • Return the 3 x 5 cards to the USGA Office after your shift.   

• To verify the scores are complete and correct, one of two procedures is utilized. Either a scorecard runner will take the cards after each group, or the scores will be blind entered into a verification tablet after each group.  

• • • When scores are verified in the system, note the time as prescribed during the onsite breakout or meeting, as this starts the 15 minutes after which the scorecard will be considered returned. The time noted is rounded up 1 minute. If scores are verified at 11:59, 12pm should be the noted time. The player then gets the full 15min to return to scoring and this gets rounded up – meaning in this example they have until 12:15:59seconds. Please check with the Rules team on questions.