What is the "sign your scorecard" rule in pro golf all about?

Question

I was reading an article about the amateur female golfer who was disqualified from the tournament because she left the roped scoring area without signing the scorecard, even though she quickly returned and signed it. I'm wondering what the actual rule is, and what is it for? What was the big deal, she returned and signed it? If you can shed some light on this for me I'd appreciate it.

Answer 1

i agree that many of the rules of golf are confusing and asinine, but they were written over 100 years ago and the scorecard rule does serve a purpose.  in golf tournaments no one keeps their own score.  the cards are handed out amongst the group and then traded so that an opponent keeps it.  the scorecard is the final word on anyone's official score.  the leader boards and the tv scores mean absolutely nothing and until the card is signed nothing is official.  in the scorer's tent the cards are given back to the owners and each person goes over their score hole by hole.  this is to ensure that your opponent didn't miss something that the tv cameras caught.  after all the scores checked they are signed and this makes them official.  if a player signs a card that has a lower score than what they really shot then they are disqualified and if the score is higher than the real score then they must keep that score.  this way of doing things is old fashion, but its one of the things that keeps golf a gentleman's game.  you call your own penalties and are trusted to be honest with other people's cards.  it is a little silly that they disqualified her, but if she didn't know the rule she should have.  knowing the rules is as important as having a good swing and its one of the things that makes golf unique.  hope this helped.