Printing scorecards is one of those tasks that rarely feels urgent, until suddenly it is.

Your season opener is right around the corner, you’ve been working tirelessly to set the tournament calendar and a seasoned sponsor would like to update their logo. Someone realizes the last box in the shop is almost empty and the boxes out in the cartbarn somehow took on water….And just like that, a “simple” print order becomes a deadline.

Most issues with scorecards don’t come from bad intentions or poor planning. They come from familiarity. When you see the same card every day, it’s easy to assume everything is still correct.  That’s why the best time to catch problems is before anything goes to print.  Whether you’re ordering a full season run, a small reorder, or tournament-specific cards, here are 10 things every Head Golf Professional, and every golf ops. team, should check before printing scorecards.

1. Yardages (And Where They Came From)

This might sound obvious, but it’s still the most common issue we see.

Before printing, confirm:

• Yardages match the current tee markers
• Any recent course changes are reflected
• Measurements are consistent front to back

It’s also worth asking where the yardages originally came from. Were they updated after a renovation? Adjusted for new tee placements? Or copied forward from an older file?

Even small discrepancies get noticed, especially by regular players who know the course well.

2. Par & Handicap Index Accuracy

Par and handicap indexes tend to live quietly on a scorecard… until someone questions them.

Before printing:

• Confirm handicap indexes are current and correct
• Make sure they align with the course rating system you’re using
• Check for consistency between front nine, back nine, and totals

This is one of those areas where mistakes don’t always show up immediately—but when they do, they create unnecessary conversations in the shop.

3. Tee Set Order and Labeling

Multi-tee courses are fantastic for playability, but they add complexity to scorecards.

Take a moment to review:

• Tee sets are listed in a logical, consistent order
• Colors and names match on-course signage
• The layout makes it obvious which yardage belongs to which tee

If a first-time guest can’t quickly find their tee, the scorecard isn’t doing its job.

4. Readability in Real Playing Conditions

Scorecards aren’t read at a desk—they’re read in carts, on tees, and in bright sunlight.

Before printing, look at the design with this in mind:

• Are fonts easy to read at a glance?
• Are numbers spaced clearly?
• Does anything feel cramped?

A scorecard that looks fine on a screen can behave very differently once it’s printed and folded.

5. Sponsor Placement and Balance

Sponsors are an important part of many scorecards, but placement matters.

Before approving a print run:

• Confirm logos are sized consistently
• Make sure they don’t interfere with scoring areas
• Check that sponsor placement feels intentional, not crowded

When sponsor layouts are balanced, everyone wins; the course, the sponsor, and the player.

6. Paper Stock and Durability

Paper choice isn’t just a design decision, it’s an operational one.

Think about how your scorecards are used:

• Mostly riding carts?
• Walkers folding cards into pockets?
• Humid or wet conditions?

The right stock holds up better, looks more professional, and avoids cards feeling flimsy halfway through a round.  This is especially important if cards are expected to last, perhaps 36 holes or be handled frequently during events.

7. Folding Style and Final Size

Scorecards get folded more than almost any other printed piece at a golf course.

Before printing, confirm:

• Fold lines are clean and consistent
• The folded size fits nice in carts and pockets
• No critical information lands on a fold

A well-designed fold makes a scorecard feel intentional. A bad fold makes even a good design frustrating to use.

8. Quantity (And Whether It Still Makes Sense)

It’s tempting to order “a lot” to avoid running out but large minimums often lead to waste.

Ask yourself:

• Where did I put that extra box?
• How did these get ruined?
• Do you anticipate course updates or layout changes mid-season?

Flexible ordering can save storage space, reduce waste, and make updates far less stressful when something changes.

9. Tournament and Event Needs

Many courses use tournament scoring software such as Golf Genius or Event Caddy to take the guess work out of set up and scoring for tournaments.  Utilize the custom logo options to add a professional

• Do you host regular events like member/guest or member/member?
• Do you need tournament-specific cards?
• Will side games or formats require additional scoring space?

Having tournament scorecards or side game scorecards available can simplify event logistics and keep standard cards clean and consistent.

10. A Fresh Set of Eyes

This might be the most important step of all. Before sending anything to print:

• Have someone who doesn’t see the scorecard every day review it
• Ask them to look for clarity, not just errors
• Encourage questions—those questions often reveal weak spots

Fresh eyes catch things familiarity hides.

A Quick Reality Check for Busy Golf Operations

Most scorecard issues don’t come from carelessness. They come from timing, pressure, and the assumption that “nothing has changed.”  But something almost always has.

A new sponsor. A small course adjustment. A tee rename. A layout tweak that made sense at the time.  Taking a few extra minutes to walk through these checks can prevent months of living with a card that’s just slightly off.

Want the Checklist Version?

We’ve put together a simple, printable reference called “8 Golf Scorecard Insider Tips” designed to be quick, practical, and easy to keep on hand in the shop.

👉 Download the PDF HERE

It’s the same mindset behind this article, distilled into an easy reference.

Scorecards don’t need to be flashy to be effective. They need to be accurate, clear, durable, thoughtful.  When those basics are handled well, scorecards quietly support the round, and the operation, without ever getting in the way. And honestly, that’s exactly what a great scorecard should do.