I’ve gotten some flak from my buddies lately after playing by myself since I tend to play a few strokes better when I’m alone versus when I play with them. They typically don’t believe the scores I post because I could easily cheat with nobody around. It’s my first year golfing, and I’m just trying to get better so I play when I can, and I don’t see who it’s benefiting if I cheat; I’d just be cheating myself. I’ve had a couple of really low rounds in the last couple weeks by myself (~10 strokes lower than my HC), and they give me crap for it. On the flip side, if I shot 10 above my HC, I would also include it. I’ve still included these lower solo rounds in my handicap, which has dropped it quite a bit since I know I’m playing straight up, but I’m wondering what y’all’s take is on counting solo rounds.
I post everything. It’s against the letter of the law, but I play honestly so I don’t care.
As with all of these questions, a vanity cap hurts no one but the person who carries one, so I just don’t think it’s a real problem in any way.
@Sawyer
Sandbagging would be the real problem.
Elliot said:
@Sawyer
Sandbagging would be the real problem.
Exactly, and if anything (which I don’t but, let’s say I lost a ball in leaves or I know it was a good shot but can’t find it), I am cheating to lower my cap. Therefore, if you think it’s a vanity cap, let’s play 1v1 for cash; you have the clear advantage if my cap is vanity because I post solo rounds.
I always see it as following the spirit of the rule, not the letter. They say you can’t post solo rounds to try to prevent cheating/sandbagging. If you know you have an honest score played 100% by the rules, I see no harm in posting it since you’re following the spirit of the rule. Also, your friends should not be mad; your handicap going down only benefits them.
@San
Unless they play scrambles, then it hurts them 
Cleo said:
@San
Unless they play scrambles, then it hurts them
Who in the world is using handicaps in scrambles?
Cleo said:
@San
Unless they play scrambles, then it hurts them
Yeah, but let’s be real, someone’s handicap never actually matters in a scramble, as the winning score is never an honest one anyway.
@San
Yeah, when I first started playing with them, they were giving me 10-15 stroke leads. Now they have an excuse to drop that and win more easily, lol.
The only thing I took from this is your buddies definitely lie about their scores when they think they can get away with it.
Oli said:
The only thing I took from this is your buddies definitely lie about their scores when they think they can get away with it.
Yup.
I do. I won’t let the euro terrorists win.
Elliot said:
I do. I won’t let the euro terrorists win.
Damn Americans, you’ll want to be paid for your handicaps next. They must only be recorded in official competitions!!!
Yes. I play by myself. No golf buddies, so I’m with strangers when grouped up. I play as strict to the rules as I can regardless, and I record all rounds.
Keelan said:
Yes. I play by myself. No golf buddies, so I’m with strangers when grouped up. I play as strict to the rules as I can regardless, and I record all rounds.
With strangers isn’t a solo round…
@Elliot
Man, are you really gonna ask a stranger to validate your score and sign your scorecard? I literally don’t think in all the rounds I’ve played that any stranger has asked me in return to do that.
Playing as a single with a bunch of randoms is a solo round for me; I don’t pay attention to their score, and I know they certainly don’t pay attention to mine.
validate your score and sign your scorecard
This also just isn’t a thing for a huge portion of golfers. Unless you’re at a private club, you’re probably just submitting your score for handicap through whatever app you used to keep score anyway.
@Elliot
Yeah, but strangers aren’t going to validate your card or care about what you’re shooting, so in the sense of holding you accountable, it is.
@Elliot
Technically accurate is the best type of accuracy! 
But the below comments get to what I meant.
I do; I only play maybe once a month during the summer with others. I play 30+ times by myself. I would be ignoring 80% of my rounds if I only did rounds with others.