A quick explainer from the Competitions team

If you have ever picked up on a hole during a Medal and noticed your result listed as DQ rather than NR, you may have wondered what that means and whether it matters. The short answer is that it matters less than you might think, and we wanted to take a moment to explain why.

Why DQ and not NR?

In a stroke play Medal competition, the Rules of Golf require every player to hole out on every hole. This is set out in Rule 3.3c, and if a player picks up without holing out and does not correct the mistake before teeing off on the next hole, the correct outcome under the Rules is a disqualification from that competition. Some clubs use the label NR, or No Return, in this situation, but that term no longer formally exists under the World Handicap System. DQ is simply the more precise description of what has happened. The practical effect on your competition result is the same either way.

Your round still counts

Being marked DQ in a competition does not mean your round is wasted. Your score is still submitted to England Golf for handicap purposes. For any hole where you picked up, the World Handicap System allocates a Net Double Bogey score, and the rest of your card is recorded as played. The round counts toward your Handicap Index in the normal way.

No impact on the Twos sweep

A DQ only affects your standing in the competition itself. It has no bearing on the Twos sweep or any other standalone competition running alongside the Medal on the day. If you made a two before or after picking up on a hole, that still stands.

What to do if you pick up

If you pick up on a hole and decide not to continue in the competition, please do carry on and play out the rest of your round. Return your scorecard at the end so the score can be posted for handicap purposes. The card still has value even if the competition result does not.

If you have any questions about any of the above, the Competitions team is always happy to help. Just come and find us.