I would say that you tell the person you need their actual score for the game and then they can adjust the score later for handicap. Far too many times people take 8's or 9's that show up as 5's or 6's on the card... when money is at stake, this can be a huge issue also, except when the person's score doesn't have an impact on the money game. All the same though - put the real score on the card and adjust it later.....

I would suggest that you don't play for money with that person. For handicap, the score will be adjusted, but in your game, just like a tournament, there is no such thing as "just give me a double.
I also won't play for money with anyone who improves their lie. You really have no idea what their handicap is.
We go to Michigan every year with a bunch of guys. We play team match play, and to discourage guys from being upset from blow ups we put a limit on score at 3 over par. However, this year I am adding one rule to the game. If someone picks up, their team cannot win the hole. Last year, we had a guy pick up, his partner made par, and they won the hole and the match. We are eliminating that scenario for this year.

Matt ... it sounds to me like you are playing with friends or at least a regular group that you know. So, to that end, I would suggest that before your next round, that you discuss it with everyone at the outset and clarify the rules that you and the group are playing with -- for the sake of consistency and fairness.

Other rules for clarification include determining if "gimme's" or conceded putts are acceptable and if so, at which distance or situation? Mulligans - will they permitted at all? On the first tee only or never?

Just a thought - it's one way that I broached a similar discussion with some of the people that I play with.

Hey Matt... I play regularly with a group of guys and we play team match where low score wins for the team and if there is a tie we use the second score to break the tie. In the case where someone has a "score card double" we will always have the true double win that part of the match. If you are playing stroke play, then I agree with the posts made by others in response to your question. Clarify at the beginning that for the purpose of the "game" you use actual scores and the scores can be adjusted for handicapping afterwards. After all - a competition is a competition and neither of you should get the benefit of simply making up a number during the "game". I am assuming your playing partner must be a decent player as a single handicap, otherwise he would not be capped at a double for handicap adjustments. As a single handicap he should know better !

+1 on Dino’s comment. A casual conversation before a money round so all the rules are clear to the “just give me a double” friend.

Good luck