Marker
The marker is the person who records and confirms your strokes on the scorecard in a handicap-relevant round — colloquially, the small stroke counter on the bag is also called this.
In the everyday world of rules and handicaps, the marker is the fellow player who officially documents your round. You play, they keep score. After the round you check the card, both of you sign, and only then is the result valid. For handicap-relevant rounds, for example as part of the Handicap Revision under EDS, the rules require a qualified marker — usually a fellow player with their own Course Certificate or their own Handicap. There are also mechanical counters as accessories: small click or dial devices with which you count your own strokes.
In practice it works like this: for a private round that counts for handicap, you register the round in advance, pick a marker from your group and hand them your Scorecard. They record your stroke count on every hole, and you check it at the end hole by hole. An example: on the 7th hole there is a dispute about whether your ball in the Water Hazard costs a penalty stroke — the marker records the result and you clarify the rules question with the club office after the round. Anyone who wants to keep track of their own count can also click a hand counter on their glove.
A typical mistake is assuming you can count and submit your own handicap-relevant round on your own. Without a marker and a signature, the round does not count for handicap. Another favourite: correcting the card afterwards without the marker — that makes the card invalid. Errors are always corrected together with the marker before signing.
FAQ
Who may be my marker in a handicap-relevant round?
The marker is a fellow player from your group who officially records your strokes on the scorecard. For handicap-relevant rounds the rules require a qualified marker, in practice someone with their own course certificate or their own handicap. You may not officially keep your own card yourself.
Can I count a private round on my own and submit it for handicap?
No, that is a widespread mistake. Without a marker who has kept score for your round and confirmed the card with their signature, the round does not count for handicap. Register the round in advance with the club office or through the designated system and secure a marker from your playing group before you head out.
What do I do if I notice an error on the card?
Corrections always happen together with the marker and only before both of you have signed. Go through the card hole by hole; if something is wrong, you correct the number together and the marker confirms it. After the signature the scorecard is final — stroke numbers entered too low then lead to disqualification.