What happens if my strokes exceed the maximum in Maximum Score?

You simply get the maximum score for that hole — no matter how many strokes you actually took. Once you reach the cap, you can pick up and move on; the Committee will adjust your card to show the maximum.

The cap is absolute

Maximum Score is a form of stroke play where every hole has a ceiling — maybe double par, a fixed number like 8, or net double bogey. Your score for the hole is your actual strokes plus any penalties, but it can never exceed that ceiling. If you hit the limit before holing out, you're done on that hole. The Rules even encourage you to stop playing to keep things moving.

How to mark the scorecard

If you hole out under the maximum, write your actual score. If you hole out at or above the maximum, or if you pick up without holing out, you can leave the box blank or write any number at or above the maximum. The Committee will correct it to the official maximum when they process the card. In a handicap competition, they'll also apply your handicap strokes before posting the final number.

Penalties still apply, but they can't push you past the max

All normal stroke-play penalties still count in Maximum Score. However, after adding any penalty strokes, your hole score is still capped at the Committee's maximum. The only difference from regular stroke play is that five specific disqualification penalties — like failing to hole out, playing from outside the teeing area, playing a wrong ball, a serious breach of wrong place, or playing out of order — only cost you the maximum score on that hole instead of a DQ. Any other DQ penalty still disqualifies you.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You breach one of the five specific Rules (3.3c, 6.1b(2), 6.3c, 14.7b, 22.3) → You are not disqualified; you simply receive the maximum score for that hole.
• Your ball in motion needs to be holed out but is deflected or stopped (Rule 11.2 situation) → Rule 11.2 does not apply — there is no penalty for the deflection, and the ball is played as it lies or the stroke is cancelled per the specific Maximum Score exception.

Frequently asked questions

What do I write on the scorecard if I pick up at the maximum?

Leave the box blank or write any number at or above the maximum. The Committee will adjust it to the official maximum when they review the card.

Can penalty strokes push my score above the maximum?

No. After adding all penalty strokes, your score for the hole is still capped at the Committee's maximum.

What if I commit a disqualification penalty in Maximum Score?

For five specific mistakes — not holing out, starting from outside the teeing area, playing a wrong ball, serious breach of wrong place, or playing out of order — you just get the maximum score on that hole. Any other DQ penalty still disqualifies you.

Does the maximum apply in handicap competitions too?

Yes. The Committee sets the maximum (often net double bogey for handicap events), and after the round they apply your handicap strokes to each hole before posting the final capped score.