Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
In competition golf, a marker is the person authorised or appointed to keep a player's hole scores on the scorecard. In stroke play, the marker confirms the strokes for each hole, enters the gross score, and certifies the card at the end of the round.
How it matters in match play
The formal marker procedure belongs to stroke play, where a marker records and certifies a player's scorecard under Rule 3.3b. Match play is instead settled hole by hole between a player and opponent under Rule 3.2. A club may still appoint someone to record results for administration, but that local role should not be confused with the Rules' stroke-play marker procedure.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Marker |
| Category | general |
| Applicable rule | Rules of Golf, Rule 3.3b (stroke play) |
| Related concepts | Scorecard, Scorekeeper, Score Verification, Score Return, Stroke Play |
Worked example
In a stroke-play event, Alex's marker confirms 5 strokes on the 1st hole, enters 5 on Alex's scorecard, and later certifies the hole scores; Alex checks the card, signs it and returns it to the Committee.
Rule reference: Rules of Golf, Rule 3.3b (stroke play)
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Does a marker have to be another player?
Not necessarily. Under Rule 3.3b, the marker is identified by the Committee or chosen by the player in a way approved by the Committee. Follow the competition's Terms of the Competition or ask the Committee who is authorised.
What does a golf marker do?
During the round, the marker should confirm each hole's strokes with the player and enter the gross score on the scorecard. At the end, the marker certifies the hole scores. The player still checks, certifies and returns the card.
Is a marker used in match play?
The formal marker-and-scorecard procedure in Rule 3.3b is for stroke play. Match play uses the player-versus-opponent hole result under Rule 3.2. A competition can use an administrative scorekeeper, but that is a local organisational arrangement.