Retrogression In Golf: How Does It Work?

Retrogression is a tie-breaking method used in golf, primarily in Canada, when two finishers complete their rounds with the same score. Retrogression works by examining the scores of the tied players after 17 holes to see if either player had a lead over the other. If one player had the lead after 17 holes, they are awarded the higher position. If both players were tied after 17 holes, retrogression looks at their scores after 16 holes, and so on. While retrogression is a valid tie-breaking method, some golfers argue that it does not determine the better player, especially if the match is not over and there are still holes left to play.

Explore related products

Ben Hogan's Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf (Definitive Edition)

$19.6 $29.99

The Complete Golf Manual (DK Complete Manuals)

$27.99 $27.99

Retrogression

$12.5 $12.5

Technological Retrogression: A Schumpeterian Interpretation of Modernization in Reverse (Anthem Other Canon Economics)

$40 $125

Chinese Politics in the Era of Xi Jinping: Renaissance, Reform, or Retrogression?

$49.87 $74.99

Retrogression is a tie-breaking method

Here's how it works: if two players are tied for a position after 18 holes, retrogression examines their scores after 17 holes to see if either player had a lead over the other. If Player A had the lead over Player B after 17 holes, Player A wins the position outright, and Player B is awarded the subsequent placing. If both players were tied after 17 holes, retrogression then looks at their scores after 16 holes, and so on.

For example, let's say Player A and Player B are tied for first place after 18 holes with a score of 70 (-2). If, after 17 holes, Player A had a score of -1 and Player B had a score of even par, Player A would be declared the winner based on their better score after 17 holes.

Retrogression is designed to identify the player who had the lead at an earlier stage of the round, even if their opponent caught up and tied the overall score by the end of the round. It is one of several tie-breaking methods listed in Appendix I (11) of The Rules of Golf, which also includes an 18-hole playoff, sudden death playoff, best back 9 scores, best last 6 holes combined, best last 3 holes combined, and the 18th hole.

It's used when two finishers have the same score

Retrogression is a method of tie-breaking in golf when two finishers have the same score. It is used primarily in Canada and can be applied to gross or net scores.

Here's how it works: if two players are tied for a position after 18 holes, retrogression examines their scores after 17 holes to see if either player had a lead over the other. If Player A had the lead over Player B after 17 holes, Player A wins the position outright, and Player B is awarded the subsequent placing. If both players were tied after 17 holes, retrogression then looks at their scores after 16 holes, and so on.

Retrogression is not without its critics, however. Some golfers argue that it does not determine the better player, which is the whole point of a tournament. They believe that a tie-breaker after 17 holes doesn't make sense as the match is not over, and a tie-breaker on the 18th hole would be more appropriate as it would break the tie for the whole match. Others feel that retrogression is unfair as it can disadvantage players who had a bad start but ended up shooting the same score as their competitors.

It's worth noting that retrogression is not listed in The Rules of Golf as an acceptable tie-breaking procedure. The recommendations, in order of priority, are:

• 18-hole playoff
• Sudden death playoff, but where not feasible
• Best back 9 scores
• Best last 6 holes combined
• Best last 3 holes combined
• The 18th hole

It can be applied to gross or net scores

Retrogression is a tie-breaking method used when two finishers in a golf tournament complete their rounds with the same score. It is primarily used in Canada. Retrogression can be applied to gross or net scores.

When two players are tied for a position after 18 holes, retrogression examines their scores after 17 holes to see if either player had a lead over the other. If Player A had the lead over Player B after 17 holes, Player A wins that position outright and Player B is awarded the subsequent placing. If both players were tied after 17 holes, then retrogression looks at their scores after 16 holes, and so on.

This tie-breaking method does not always determine the better player, which is the point of a golf tournament in the first place. A player may have taken a bad hole and still ended up with the same score as their competitor, but retrogression would not account for this.

In the Rules of Golf, there is a list of acceptable tie-breaking procedures for tournaments where no handicap is used. An 18-hole playoff or a sudden-death playoff are recommended as the top two options. Retrogression, which involves examining scores from earlier holes, is not mentioned as an acceptable tie-breaking procedure.

Retrogression examines scores after 17 holes

Retrogression is a tie-breaking method used in golf, primarily in Canada, when two finishers have completed their rounds with the same score. It can be applied to gross or net scores.

For example, if Sam and Robert are tied for third place after 18 holes, retrogression would examine their scores after 17 holes. If Robert had a lower score than Sam after 17 holes, he would be awarded third place, and Sam would be awarded fourth place.

Retrogression is not without its critics, however. Some argue that it does not determine the better player, which is the point of a tournament. They also argue that a tie-breaker after 17 holes doesn't make sense because the match is not over yet, and there is still a hole of golf left to play. Others point out that retrogression is not listed as an acceptable tie-breaking procedure in The Rules of Golf, which instead recommends an 18-hole playoff, sudden death playoff, best back 9 scores, best last 6 holes combined, best last 3 holes combined, or a playoff on the 18th hole.

If tied after 17, it looks at scores after 16 holes

Retrogression is a method of tie-breaking in golf when two players complete their rounds with the same score. It is used primarily in Canada and can be applied to gross or net scores.

If two players are tied after 17 holes, retrogression looks at their scores after 16 holes to see if either player had a lead over the other. If Player A had the lead over Player B after 16 holes, they would be placed higher than Player B in the final rankings. If the players are still tied after 16 holes, retrogression continues to look at their scores after 15 holes, and so on.

This process of retrogression continues until a difference in scores is found, or until the beginning of the round is reached. It is important to note that retrogression is not a standard tie-breaking procedure and is not listed in The Rules of Golf. The recommended tie-breaking procedures in The Rules of Golf are, in order of priority:

• 18-hole playoff
• Sudden-death playoff, but where not feasible
• Best back 9 scores
• Best last 6 holes combined
• Best last 3 holes combined
• The 18th hole

Retrogression can be seen as a controversial tie-breaking procedure as it does not determine the better player, which is the point of a tournament. Instead, retrogression rewards the player who had a lead at an earlier stage of the game, even if their opponent caught up and tied the score by the end of the round.

Frequently asked questions