32-1. Conditions
Bogey, par and Stableford competitions are forms of stroke
play in which play is against a fixed score at each hole. The
Rules for stroke play, so far as they are not at variance with the
following specific Rules, apply.
a. Bogey and Par Competitions
The scoring for bogey and par competitions is made as in
match play. Any hole for which a competitor makes no return
is regarded as a loss. The winner is the competitor who is most
successful in the aggregate of holes.
The marker is responsible for marking only the gross number
of strokes for each hole where the competitor makes a net
score equal to or less than the fixed score.
Note 1: Maximum of Fourteen Clubs – Penalties as in match
play – see Rule 4-4.
Note 2: One Caddie at Any One Time – Penalties as in match
play – see Rule 6-4.
Note 3: Undue Delay; Slow Play (Rule 6-7) – The competitor’s
score is adjusted by deducting one hole from the overall result.
b. Stableford Competitions
The scoring in Stableford competitions is made by points
awarded in relation to a fixed score at each hole as follows:
Hole Played In Points
More than one over fixed score or no score returned ……..0
One over fixed score ………………………………………………….1
Fixed score………………………………………………………………..2
One under fixed score ………………………………………………..3
Two under fixed score ………………………………………………..4
Three under fixed score ………………………………………………5
Four under fixed score………………………………………………..6

The winner is the competitor who scores the highest number
of points.
The marker is responsible for marking only the gross number
of strokes at each hole where the competitor’s net score earns
one or more points.
Note 1: Maximum of Fourteen Clubs (Rule 4-4) – Penalties
applied as follows: From total points scored for the round,
deduction of two points for each hole at which any breach
occurred; maximum deduction per round: four points.
Note 2: One Caddie at Any One Time (Rule 6-4) – Penalties
applied as follows: From the points scored for the round,
deduction of two points for each hole at which any breach
occurred; maximum deduction per round: four points.
Note 3: Undue Delay; Slow Play (Rule 6-7) – The competitor’s
score is adjusted by deducting two points from the total points
scored for the round.

32-2. Disqualification Penalties
a. From the Competition
A competitor is disqualified from the competition for a breach
of any of the following:
• Rule 1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules
• Rule 3-4 Refusal to Comply with Rule
• Rule 4-1 or -2 Clubs
• Rule 5-1 or -2 The Ball
• Rule 6-2b Handicap (playing off higher handicap;
failure to record handicap)
• Rule 6-3 Time of Starting and Groups
• Rule 6-4 Caddie (having more than one caddie;
failure to correct breach immediately)
• Rule 6-6b Signing and Returning Score Card
• Rule 6-6d Wrong Score for Hole, i.e. when the
recorded score is lower than actually taken,
except that no penalty is incurred when a
breach of this Rule does not affect the result
of the hole
• Rule 6-7 Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated offence)
• Rule 6-8 Discontinuance of Play
• Rule 7-1 Practice Before or Between Rounds
• Rule 14-3 Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
b. For a Hole
In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in
disqualification, the competitor is disqualified only for the
hole at which the breach occurred.

31-1. General
In four-ball stroke play two competitors play as partners, each
playing his own ball. The lower score of the partners is the
score for the hole. If one partner fails to complete the play of
a hole, there is no penalty.
The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the
following specific Rules, apply to four-ball stroke play.

31-2. Representation of Side
A side may be represented by either partner for all or any part
of a stipulated round; both partners need not be present. An
absent competitor may join his partner between holes, but not
during play of a hole.

31-3. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs
The side is penalised for a breach of Rules 4-3a (iii) and 4-4 by
either partner.

31-4. Scoring
The marker is required to record for each hole only the gross
score of whichever partner’s score is to count. The gross scores
to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise the side is
disqualified. Only one of the partners need be responsible for
complying with Rule 6-6b.
(Wrong score – see Rule 31-7a)

31-5. Order of Play
Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the
side considers best.

31-6. Wrong Ball
If a competitor makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is not in a
hazard, he incurs a penalty of two strokes and must correct his
mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the
Rules. His partner incurs no penalty even if the wrong ball
belongs to him.
If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, its owner
must place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was
first played.

31-7. Disqualification Penalties
a. Breach by One Partner
A side is disqualified from the competition for a breach of any
of the following by either partner:
• Rule 1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules
• Rule 3-4 Refusal to Comply with Rule
• Rule 4-1 or -2 Clubs
• Rule 5-1 or -2 The Ball
• Rule 6-2b Handicap (playing off higher handicap;
failure to record handicap)
• Rule 6-4 Caddie (having more than one caddie;
failure to correct breach immediately)
• Rule 6-6b Signing and Returning Score Card
• Rule 6-6d Wrong Score for Hole, i.e. when the
recorded score of the partner whose score is
to count is lower than actually taken. If the
recorded score of the partner whose score is
to count is higher than actually taken, it
must stand as returned

• Rule 6-7 Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated offence)
• Rule 7-1 Practice Before or Between Rounds
• Rule 14-3 Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
• Rule 31-4 Gross Scores to Count Not Individually
Identifiable
b. Breach by Both Partners
A side is disqualified:
(i) for a breach by both of Rule 6-3 (Time of Starting and
Groups) or Rule 6-8 (Discontinuance of Play), or
(ii) if, at the same hole, each partner is in breach of a Rule the
penalty for which is disqualification from the competition
or for a hole.
c. For the Hole Only
In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in
disqualification, the competitor is disqualified only for the hole
at which the breach occurred.

31-8. Effect of Other Penalties
If a competitor’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play, the
partner incurs the applicable penalty in addition to any penalty
incurred by the competitor.
In all other cases where a competitor incurs a penalty for
breach of a Rule, the penalty does not apply to his partner.

30-1. Rules of Golf Apply
The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the
following specific Rules, apply to three-ball, best-ball and fourball
matches.

30-2. Three-Ball Match Play
a. Ball at Rest Moved by an Opponent
Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if the player’s ball
is touched or moved by an opponent, his caddie or equipment
other than during search, Rule 18-3b applies. That opponent
incurs a penalty of one stroke in his match with the player, but
not in his match with the other opponent.
b. Ball Deflected or Stopped by an Opponent Accidentally
If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an
opponent, his caddie or equipment, there is no penalty. In his
match with that opponent the player may play the ball as it lies
or, before another stroke is played by either side, he may cancel
the stroke and play a ball without penalty as nearly as possible
at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5). In his match with the other opponent, the ball
must be played as it lies.
Exception: Ball striking person attending flagstick – see
Rule 17-3b.
(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by opponent – see
Rule 1-2)

30-3. Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play
a. Representation of Side
A side may be represented by one partner for all or any part
of a match; all partners need not be present. An absent partner
may join a match between holes, but not during play of a hole.
b. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs
The side is penalised for a breach of Rules 4-3a(iii) and 4-4 by
any partner.
c. Order of Play
Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the
side considers best.
d. Wrong Ball
If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is not in a
hazard, he is disqualified for that hole, but his partner incurs
no penalty even if the wrong ball belongs to him. If the wrong
ball belongs to another player, its owner must place a ball on
the spot from which the wrong ball was first played.
e. Disqualification of Side
(i) A side is disqualified for a breach of any of the following
by any partner:
• Rule 1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules
• Rule 4-1 or -2 Clubs
• Rule 5-1 or -2 The Ball
• Rule 6-2a Handicap (playing off higher handicap)
• Rule 6-4 Caddie (having more than one caddie;
failure to correct breach immediately)
• Rule 6-7 Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated
offence)
• Rule 14-3 Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
(ii) A side is disqualified for a breach of any of the following
by all partners:
• Rule 6-3 Time of Starting and Groups
• Rule 6-8 Discontinuance of Play
(iii) In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in
disqualification, the player is disqualified for that
hole only.
f. Effect of Other Penalties
If a player’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play or
adversely affects an opponent’s play, the partner incurs the
applicable penalty in addition to any penalty incurred by
the player.
In all other cases where a player incurs a penalty for breach of
a Rule, the penalty does not apply to his partner. Where the
penalty is stated to be loss of hole, the effect is to disqualify the
player for that hole.
g. Another Form of Match Played Concurrently
In a best-ball or four-ball match when another form of match
is played concurrently, the above specific Rules apply.

29-1. General
In a threesome or a foursome, during any stipulated round the
partners must play alternately from the teeing grounds and
alternately during the play of each hole. Penalty strokes do not
affect the order of play.

29-2. Match Play
If a player plays when his partner should have played, his side
loses the hole.

29-3. Stroke Play
If the partners make a stroke or strokes in incorrect order, such
stroke or strokes are cancelled and the side incurs a penalty of
two strokes. The side must correct the error by playing a ball
in correct order as nearly as possible at the spot from which it
first played in incorrect order (see Rule 20-5). If the side makes
a stroke on the next teeing ground without first correcting the
error or, in the case of the last hole of the round, leaves the
putting green without declaring its intention to correct the
error, the side is disqualified