Nine-hole rounds are acceptable scores and are to be posted for handicap purposes. In general, when choosing to post a score, an option to define the “number of holes” and whether the score is for nine or 18 holes should be a choice, with the default being “18 holes.” If one picks “9 Holes,” then nine-hole ratings for the chosen tee become available. Picking the right nine holes played is important.

Once a nine-hole score has been submitted, the computer then waits for another nine-hole score to be posted and the two nine-hole scores are combined to form an 18-hole score before being considered in the calculation of the Handicap Index®.

In the interim, the single uncombined nine-hole score is identified in the scoring record in pink, with reference that it is a nine-hole score waiting to be combined. An important note here is that any two acceptable nine-hole scores will be combined (in the order they are submitted) and the nines can be from different courses, different nines, different tees, etc.

This works from an accuracy standpoint because each nine-hole tee set has its own Course Rating™ and Slope Rating®. As an example, a nine-hole score from the green tees for the front nine at Torrey Pines North can be combined with another nine-hole score from the red tees for the front nine at Brookside Course #2 (E.O. Nay). Each nine-hole score results in a nine-hole Score Differential™ being calculated using the relevant rating data that addresses the difficulty of the nine holes played.

As part of the combining process, the two nine-hole scores are added together and displayed as a single 18-hole value. The Score Differential for the two combined nine-hole scores will be the sum of the two-unrounded nine-hole Score Differentials, with that sum then rounded to the nearest tenths digit. If one looks at a scoring record after the combining process has been completed, the letter N (for nines) will be listed next to the score. The date displayed will be associated with the most recent date of the two scores (if the two nine-hole scores have dates of July 26 and August 17, the score will display August 17). The course name for each course will be referenced, although a character limit in the display may not show everything. However, there is a small information icon available that breaks down the details of each of the two nine-hole scores that were combined, including the nine-hole score, the date and the course for each.

We often receive claims that someone didn’t score the 18-hole value listed in connection with an N-identified score. One needs to remember that this N indicates that two independent nine-hole scores were played and posted, and it is extremely likely the two nines were from different days. It is the sum of the two nine-hole rounds that will be listed in the score column. The information icon noted above is available to clear up any questions and reinforce the breakdown of each of the two nine-hole scores.

Once combined, the resulting 18-hole Score Differential is treated like any other Score Differential. It is considered in the determination of the best eight of 20 Score Differential calculation of the Handicap Index. It falls out of consideration of being one of the most recent 20 scores based on the combined/displayed date, etc. A rare anomaly procedure-wise is as follows: If a nine-hole score is posted and then 20 consecutive 18-hole rounds are posted, and if the nine-hole score is then older date-wise than the 20th oldest score, it is no longer eligible to be combined with a newly posted nine-hole score.

Nine-hole rounds are prevalent and important for handicap purposes. Please post these so that the Handicap Index can incorporate the best data in determining the demonstrated ability of a player.