GOLF.com: Can You Post Two Handicap Scores from One Round? The Rules Explained

Playing Two Balls in One Round: Can You Post Both Scores?

If you've ever played alone and run two balls simultaneously to compare your performance, you might wonder whether both scores are eligible for handicap posting. The short answer: neither is.

Under Rule 2.1 of the Rules of Handicapping, a score is only acceptable for posting if the round was played in accordance with the Rules of Golf. Those rules do not permit a player to have more than one ball in play at the same time. That alone disqualifies any dual-ball setup.

Additionally, the same rule explicitly states that rounds played solo are not acceptable for handicap purposes regardless of other conditions. So even before the two-ball issue arises, solo rounds are already off the table.

Does Using a Slope Rangefinder Affect Score Posting?

A second common question involves distance measuring devices (DMDs) with slope features. While players can agree to allow slope-enabled devices in casual play, using such a device does carry handicap implications.

Clarification 2.1b/2 of the Rules of Handicapping recommends that scores made while using a DMD to measure slope changes should not be posted for handicap purposes.

Strokeslab Takeaway

Both rulings reinforce the same principle: handicap integrity depends on consistent conditions. Before posting any score, it's worth confirming that the round met all the requirements — not just for your own records, but for fair comparison with fellow players.