Jordan Spieth? He understood. Or at least his social media accounts did.
A couple of hours earlier on Friday, he’d been booted from the Genesis Invitational after signing an incorrect scorecard following his second round. On Riviera’s 4th hole, he had made a four, but he signed for a three. For Spieth, it was unfortunate. But he took the blame via his X and Instagram accounts.
“Today, I signed for an incorrect scorecard and stepped out of the scoring area, after thinking I went through all procedures to make sure it was correct. Rules are rules, and I take full responsibility. I love this tournament and golf course as much as any on @PGATOUR so it hurts to not have a run at the weekend. Really appreciated the support in LA @thegenesisinv @thegenesisinv.”
But that was but one opinion.
As the news arrived, the takes followed, and we collected a few. As a service. You probably have your own thoughts, but it doesn’t hurt to keep an open mind to things. At the least, it could help your argument. (For what it’s worth, the author will opine at the end of this piece.)
To begin, though, here’s how the rule partially reads:
“If the player returns a scorecard with a wrong score for any hole: Returned Score Higher Than Actual Score. The higher returned score for the hole stands. Returned Score Lower Than Actual Score or No Score Returned. The player is disqualified.”
On to the thoughts.
What actually happens in the scoring tent:
What happens inside the scoring trailer (most of the time)
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) February 17, 2024
You walk in, the player that took ur score signs it and hands it to you. You sign it, check it with ur own score (some caddies look at it as well, some don’t). Most ask the scoring official what they have in their system…
There are many safeguards to this but this is a stupid rule https://t.co/wI7m7fcCrS
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) February 17, 2024
From other pros:
Amazes me how often this happens in pro golf. Math is hard….I guess 🤷♂️💀. Takes 5 seconds for the Tour officials to read your scores back and for you to check them. Hot take but this is equivalent to forgetting to write your name down on a test lol. https://t.co/nIxTn97sJn
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) February 17, 2024
It’s harsh to dq someone signing the wrong score card🤷♂️ https://t.co/hQo8A5OV6s
— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) February 17, 2024
Why are we still doing this guys? Nobody benefits in this. @RandA @USGA Can we please look at changing this rule to a softer penalty please?
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 17, 2024
There isn’t a worse feeling in professional golf. It is very expensive and embarrassing. I did it twice on @PGATOUR. One of the times I got me and my Amateur partner, Herb @Kohler, DQ’d at @attproam 🤦♂️ Herb forgave me, but I still haven’t forgiven myself.
— Ted Purdy (@TedPurdy) February 17, 2024
From a caddie:
Another benchmark in the dumbest rule in all of sports.
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) February 17, 2024
From Mike McGee, Annika Sorenstam’s husband:
It’s time to stop the nonsense of players being disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. That rule was meant for the old days when it was only the players in the group that could vouch for each other. Today there are hundreds if not thousands of people following these… https://t.co/xRNhvJDdpi
— Mike McGee (@MikeMcGeeAnnika) February 17, 2024
‘There’s a reason why players sign a scorecard’
It’s fun to get outraged at golf rules and call them antiquated, but there’s a reason why players sign a scorecard.
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) February 17, 2024
Your score is YOUR responsibility. And there’s no way a player is going to (or should) trust anyone else with their official score.
Yes, there’s shotlink on…
‘Here is a mild defense of the scorecard rule’
Here is a mild defense of the scorecard rule. Most pro golfers — and certainly their OEMs — INSIST that there is an essential link between the pro game and amateur game, and they won’t allow it to be severed by playing different equipment. Well, we don’t have Shotlink or cameras… https://t.co/kWcyBxNDAc
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) February 17, 2024
Let’s say the “big government needs to save me!” types get their way and we have players stop keeping their own scorecards and we turn it over to volunteers and Shotlink and tv cameras.
— Kevin Van Valkenburg (@KVanValkenburg) February 17, 2024
Who keeps score in US Open qualifying? Who keeps score in Monday qualifying? In college? HS?
‘Why are we testing the players …’
I find it hard to believe that NBA, NFL, and MLB players could keep track of the score in the heat of battle.
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) February 17, 2024
That’s why there’s a scoreboard for them to look at.
Now I get it. Golf is different. It’s an individual game. It’s how it’s always been.
But we all know the scores.…
An observation:
Haha yeah, this golf rule is a joke, imagine penalizing Chris Webber because he didn’t know how many timeouts he had left
— ANTIFAldo (@ANTIFAldo) February 17, 2024
The outrage for the incorrect scorecard DQ would be the same if it was Tom Hoge who committed the crime.
— Andy Johnson (@AndyTFE) February 17, 2024
And some humor:
It turns out that this might not be the best idea. https://t.co/yCD2CnCfAd
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) February 17, 2024
Imagine making Ja and LeBron add up their box score after the game today and if they get any of it wrong then their team loses. pic.twitter.com/8bVQ6wY5OP
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) April 16, 2023
Golf rules are pretty hilarious when you really break them down – "the 12th ranked golfer in the world was told today that he can't continue to do his job because of math."
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) February 17, 2024
Happy Gilmore assaulted multiple rules officials and nearly killed a camera man with a flagstick and was not DQ’d. Jordan Spieth turns in an incorrect scorecard and is told to get the hell out of here. Make it make sense. https://t.co/AeY67S2KPW
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) February 17, 2024
From the author:
Rule’s a rule. But the tech is there. Have it clearly available for the pro to use when the scorecard is signed.
