Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
Score Type identifies details of a handicap score, such as home or away play, competition status or nine-hole play. USGA codes include H, A, C, N and P. Exact labels can vary by jurisdiction and scoring system.
How it matters in match play
A match-play round can be an acceptable handicap score when it is played in an authorised format, under the Rules of Golf and the other WHS conditions. In the United States, an individual or four-ball match-play score may be marked as a competition score when it comes from a properly organised competition. Score Type identifies the record; it does not decide who wins the match or how holes are settled.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Score Type |
| Category | handicap |
| Applicable rule | WHS Rule 2.1; WHS Rule 4.1; USGA Rules of Handicapping, Committee Content, Score Types |
| Related concepts | Acceptable Score, Score Submission, Handicap Index, Score Verification, Individual Competition |
Worked example
Alex plays an authorised individual match-play competition at his home club and submits an acceptable 18-hole score; in a USGA record it may carry H and C attributes, while the match result itself could be 2 up for Alex.
Rule reference: WHS Rule 2.1; WHS Rule 4.1; USGA Rules of Handicapping, Committee Content, Score Types
Sources: www.usga.org , www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.usga.org
Common questions
Is Score Type the same as match result?
No. Score Type is a handicap-record classification. A Match Result describes the outcome of the contest, such as Alex winning 2 up; the two labels serve different purposes.
What do the USGA Score Type letters mean?
The USGA lists H for Home, A for Away, C for Competition, N for a nine-hole score combined with an expected score, P for Penalty, and E for Exceptional. C and E are attributes of a score type, and local systems outside the United States may use different conventions.
Can a match-play score count for handicap purposes?
It can, if the round is in an authorised format and also meets the applicable requirements: the Rules of Golf, another person present, a rated course and the active season. National Associations choose authorised formats within their jurisdiction, so check the local procedure before submitting it.
Does a competition Score Type lower a Handicap Index more than a casual score?
Not automatically. The USGA says a competition designation does not directly change the Handicap Index calculation, although it may help a Handicap Committee assess demonstrated ability during handicap review.
Who decides which Score Type codes are used?
The governing handicap authority and the platform recording the score determine the codes. The USGA publishes the H, A, C, N, P and E designations for the United States; another jurisdiction may present the same information differently.
Does Score Type change the strokes given in a match?
No. Score Type is not a handicap allowance. Match-play strokes are calculated under the applicable handicap rules and Terms of the Competition; the score label records context for handicap administration.