Under these conditions, do golf scores still count toward handicaps?

Golfers are back on course, thanks to the latest Empire State Development guidance allowing play under a strict set of safety protocols, and presumably players are keeping score.

Now that the upstate New York posting period for scores has started (as of April 15), can those rounds be used for handicap purposes?

With many modifications in place at courses in response to corunavirus concerns, the U.S. Golf Association has drafted some temporary measures allowing scores to be used for the Golf Handicap and Information Network. (I would bet most golfers didn't know that's what "GHIN" stands for.)

The biggest change has been modifications preventing the ball from dropping into the hole, thus minimizing potential exposure to coronavirus. The USGA says scores in these conditions are acceptable for handicap purposes under the "most likely score" guidelines in the rule book.

"Most likely score is at the player's best judgment and should not be used to gain an unfair advantage," the USGA states in its directive.

The removal of rakes from bunkers creates another situation not seen in normal playing conditions. Golfers are encouraged to smooth sand areas after playing a shot with their foot or club.

One suggested option is to make bunkers part of the general area, removing the usual restrictions of not grounding the club or touching the sand on a practice swing. A more radical solution is to designate bunker as ground under repair, allowing a free lift and drop outside of the hazard.

If any of these measures is adopted in tournament play, the USGA says it is at the discretion of the committee whether scores would be acceptable for handicap purposes.

There also has been discussion about flagsticks, which are not supposed to be touched. An accidental touching shouldn't result in a...