What is an "exceptional score" (ESR) and what happens when I post one?

Any score that produces a Score Differential™ that is at least 7.0 strokes better than your Handicap Index® at the time the round was played is considered an exceptional score and is subject to the exceptional score reduction.

• If the Score Differential™ is between 7.0 and 9.9 strokes better, a -1 adjustment is applied to each of the most recent 20 Score Differentials in your scoring record. This has a net impact of reducing your Handicap Index® by 1 stroke.
• If the Score Differential is 10.0 strokes or better, a -2 adjustment is applied to each of the most recent 20 Score Differentials. This has a net impact of reducing the Handicap Index by 2 strokes.

  Note: If your scoring record contains fewer than 20 Score Differentials when the exceptional score is posted, the adjustment is still applied to all available Score Differentials in your record.

Scores posted after the exceptional score will not carry the -1 or -2 adjustment (unless they are also exceptional), which means the impact of the reduction will gradually diminish as you continue to post scores. Additionally, reductions for multiple exceptional scores are applied cumulatively.

Per Rule 5.9 of the Rules of Handicapping.