What scores count for handicap?

Under Rule 2.1 of the 2024 Rules of Handicapping, a score is acceptable only if the round was:

• Played in an authorized format of play, over at least the minimum number of holes (10 for an 18-hole score, all 9 for a 9-hole score).
• Played in the company of at least one other person, who may also act as your marker.
• Played by the Rules of Golf.
• Played on a course with a current Course Rating and Slope Rating, where length and normal playing difficulty are kept at a consistent level.
• Played during the course's active season.
• Certified through peer review (Rule 4.4).

Other points:

• Rules of Golf: in an organized competition, a score stays acceptable if you are disqualified for a breach but gained no significant scoring advantage. Otherwise a disqualification makes it unacceptable. In general play, a score is generally not acceptable if you breach the Rules and the correct penalty is not applied, or you deliberately ignore a Rule.
• Competitive or casual: under the World Handicap System, scores from any round, competitive or recreational, can count.
• Match and stroke play at once: submit the stroke-play score, not the match-play score.
• Holes out of order: the score is still acceptable if the holes were played in a different order, provided you were not disqualified.
• Temporary greens or tees: the Authorized Association decides whether those scores are acceptable.