Defining What Competitive Golf is at a Par 3 Course A par 3 course plays differently than a standard 18-hole course. The calculation of handicaps for league play on a par 3 course must, therefore, be figured differently. The USGA does not accept scores from par 3 courses for figuring a player's official handicap, therefor local rules are implemented by course managers. This article contains some of my observations and recommendations for improving the local rules regarding ha