10-1. Match Play
a. When Starting Play of Hole
The side that has the honour at the first teeing ground is
determined by the order of the draw. In the absence of a draw,
the honour should be decided by lot.
The side that wins a hole takes the honour at the next teeing
ground. If a hole has been halved, the side that had the honour
at the previous teeing ground retains it.
b. During Play of Hole
After both players have started play of the hole, the ball farther
from the hole is played first. If the balls are equidistant from the
hole or their positions relative to the hole are not determinable,
the ball to be played first should be decided by lot.
Exception: Rule 30-3c (best-ball and four-ball match play).
Note: When the original ball is not to be played as it lies and
the player is required to play a ball as nearly as possible at the
spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule
20-5), the order of play is determined by the spot from which
the previous stroke was made. When a ball may be played
from a spot other than where the previous stroke was made,
the order of play is determined by the position where the
original ball came to rest.
c. Playing Out of Turn
If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there
is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the
player to cancel the stroke so made and, in correct order, play
a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original
ball was last played (see Rule 20-5).

10-2. Stroke Play
a. When Starting Play of Hole
The competitor who has the honour at the first teeing ground
is determined by the order of the draw. In the absence of a
draw, the honour should be decided by lot.
The competitor with the lowest score at a hole takes the
honour at the next teeing ground. The competitor with the
second lowest score plays next and so on. If two or more
competitors have the same score at a hole, they play from the
next teeing ground in the same order as at the previous
teeing ground.
b. During Play of Hole
After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball
farthest from the hole is played first. If two or more balls are
equidistant from the hole or their positions relative to the hole
are not determinable, the ball to be played first should be
decided by lot.
Exceptions: Rules 22 (ball assisting or interfering with play)
and 31-5 (four-ball stroke play).
Note: When the original ball is not to be played as it lies and
the player is required to play a ball as nearly as possible at the
spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule
20-5), the order of play is determined by the spot from which
the previous stroke was made. When a ball may be played
from a spot other than where the previous stroke was made,
the order of play is determined by the position where the
original ball came to rest.
c. Playing Out of Turn
If a competitor plays out of turn, there is no penalty and the
ball is played as it lies. If, however, the Committee determines
that competitors have agreed to play out of turn to give one of
them an advantage, they are disqualified.
(Making stroke while another ball in motion after stroke from
putting green – see Rule 16-1f)
(Incorrect order of play in threesomes and foursomes stroke
play – see Rule 29-3)

10-3. Provisional Ball or Second Ball from Teeing Ground
If a player plays a provisional ball or a second ball from a teeing
ground, he must do so after his opponent or fellow-competitor
has played his first stroke. If a player plays a provisional ball or
a second ball out of turn, Rule 10-1c or -2c applies.