How are exceptional scores handled, and can we override them?

Automatic reduction. When a Score Differential is at least 7.0 strokes lower than the Handicap Index the player played off, the system reduces the index automatically:

• The reduction is applied to each of the most recent 20 Score Differentials (or all of them if there are fewer than 20), so it fades as new scores come in.
• Multiple exceptional score reductions are cumulative.

Committee's role

• You'll get extra handicap review notifications when a player has had multiple exceptional score reductions, or a differential 10.0 or more below their index triggers a −2.0 reduction.
• The committee may override any exceptional score adjustment if it considers the result would not fairly reflect the player's demonstrated ability (using a handicap review under Rule 7.1a).

Source: Rules of Handicapping (2024), Rule 5.9.