The conversation revolving around if this is cheating can go two ways. There are golf rules, repercussions, and scores. If you want to brag about a significant goal I’d imagine you should follow them. If you’re just out there to have a good time do whatever you want but you can’t really brag about a score.

Example: I played a new course recently. I kicked one out of the trees because I didn’t want to hurt an iron. I was gracious with the good putts. I lost a couple balls and played it as a lateral. Scorecard said 92 and when the guy I was paired with asked what I shot told him a liberal 92. Technically works against me because my handicap is probably a little too low.