In 2019, Rickie Fowler won the Waste Management Phoenix Open and earned more than $1 million, but one of the biggest stories from that week wasn't the trophy or the prize money.
During the final round, Fowler realized a rules situation involving a drop on the 11th hole needed to be reviewed. After consulting with officials, he accepted a two-stroke penalty. It would have been easy to hope the issue went unnoticed, but Fowler chose to make sure his score reflected exactly what happened.
He still won the tournament by two shots.
His victory was a reminder that in golf, how you win matters just as much as winning itself.
That's because golf is built on something unique: integrity. Unlike most sports, golfers are responsible for knowing the rules, counting every stroke and penalty, and recording an honest score. At Junior Golf Circuit events, there isn't an official following every group. The game depends on every player doing the right thing – even when no one else is watching.
Your Score Tells Your Story
Every golfer loves writing down birdies, and it’s not as fun to write down double bogeys, or worse.
But your scorecard tells the story of your round, and every score deserves to be written down honestly. The low scores show what you're capable of. The tough holes reveal where you can improve. Both are important parts of becoming a better player.
A score that's lower than what you actually shot doesn't make you a better golfer. It only takes away from the integrity that makes the game special.
As two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas has said:
"You have to own it. Whether you play well or you play poorly, it's on you."
That mindset applies just as much to keeping score as it does to hitting shots. Own the birdies. Own the doubles. Own every result.
Best Practices During the Round
Keeping an accurate score starts long before you reach the scorer's table.
Here are a few habits every junior golfer should develop:
- Count every stroke, including penalty strokes.
- Record scores after each hole before leaving the green or arriving at the next tee.
- Pay attention to your fellow competitors' scores as well as your own.
- If there's uncertainty about a score or a ruling, discuss it with your group immediately.
- If you're unsure about a Rules situation, ask a Rules Official as soon as one is available. Don't guess.
- Stay focused. Simple distractions often lead to simple scoring mistakes.
At the Scorer's Table
Once your round is over, take your time before signing your scorecard.
Use this checklist:
- Review every hole one at a time.
- Confirm every score with your marker.
- Make sure all penalty strokes have been included.
- Verify that both you and your marker have signed the card.
- Ask a tournament official if you have any questions before returning your scorecard.
A careful review only takes a minute, but it can prevent costly scoring mistakes.
For Parents
Parents play an important role in reinforcing what success looks like.
After the round, instead of asking only, "What did you shoot?" consider asking:
- What did you learn today?
- Did you compete with integrity?
- Did you handle adversity well?
Those conversations help young golfers understand that character matters just as much as the number on the scorecard.