Does my score still count if I don't finish all 18 holes?
Rule- England
- England Golf
- World Handicap System
- Rules of Handicapping 2024
- Handicap Index
- General play
- 2026
- Players
- All ages
It depends how many holes you played and why you stopped.
| Holes played (valid reason, e.g. weather or bad light) | Result |
|---|---|
| 10 to 17 | Acceptable as an 18-hole score. A Score Differential is calculated for the holes you played, and your expected score is used for the holes you missed. |
| 9 (a complete 9-hole round) | Can be submitted as a 9-hole score |
| Fewer than 9 | Not acceptable for handicap |
Example: severe weather stops play after 16 holes. Your 18-hole Score Differential is the differential from the 16 holes played plus your expected differential for the last two.
Started a hole but didn't hole out? Record the score that's appropriate for the situation (for example, your most likely score, up to net double bogey).
Registered but walked off without a valid reason? If you start a pre-registered round and don't complete the minimum number of holes, the Handicap Committee can enter a penalty score on your record. If you pre-register but never tee off, the round must simply be removed.
Added 21 Oct 2026