What if my marker knowingly signs a wrong scorecard?

Yes, it's serious misconduct. If your marker knowingly certifies a wrong score, the Committee can disqualify you under Rule 1.2a for a breach of integrity, even though the marker isn't the player.

What the rule says about integrity

Rule 1.2a expects everyone involved in the competition to act with integrity — that means following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play. A marker who knowingly signs a scorecard they know is wrong is deliberately violating that standard. The Rules don't assign a specific penalty stroke for this, but they give the Committee authority to treat it as serious misconduct.

What happens to the player

The player returns a scorecard certified by the marker. If the Committee finds the marker knew the score was wrong, the player can be disqualified under Rule 1.2a for serious misconduct. The player is responsible for their scorecard, but the marker's knowing certification makes the whole thing a breach of the spirit of the game. The Committee looks at all circumstances before deciding.

What happens to the marker

The marker isn't a player in that competition, so they can't be disqualified from it. But the Committee can report the marker to their home club or governing body for disciplinary action. Many clubs treat a marker who knowingly certifies a wrong score the same way they'd treat a player who cheats — suspension, loss of marker privileges, or other sanctions under their Code of Conduct.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The Committee decides the misconduct, while serious, warrants a warning first → They may warn the player or marker that any repeat will result in disqualification instead of disqualifying immediately (Interpretation 1.2a/1).
• The competition has a Code of Conduct under Rule 1.2b with specific penalties → The Committee can apply those penalties — such as a one-stroke penalty or the general penalty — instead of disqualification.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be disqualified if my marker cheats without me knowing?

Yes. You're responsible for your scorecard. If the Committee finds the marker knowingly certified a wrong score, you can be disqualified for serious misconduct even if you didn't know.

What if the marker made an honest mistake?

An honest mistake isn't serious misconduct. The score gets corrected under Rule 3.3b and you may get a penalty for the wrong score, but no disqualification for integrity breach.

Does the marker get disqualified too?

The marker isn't playing, so they can't be disqualified from the competition. But the Committee can refer them for disciplinary action by their club or governing body.

What counts as 'knowingly' certifying a wrong score?

The marker saw the actual score, knew it was different from what they signed, and signed anyway. The Committee considers all circumstances — including whether the marker benefited or was pressured.

Can the Committee just give a stroke penalty instead of DQ?

Only if the competition has a Code of Conduct under Rule 1.2b that lists specific penalties for this breach. Otherwise, serious misconduct means disqualification is the standard sanction.