3-1. Winner
The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in
the fewest strokes is the winner.
In a handicap competition, the competitor with the lowest net
score for the stipulated round or rounds is the winner.

3-2. Failure to Hole Out
If a competitor fails to hole out at any hole and does not
correct his mistake before he makes a stroke on the next teeing
ground or, in the case of the last hole of the round, before he
leaves the putting green, he is disqualified.

3-3. Doubt as to Procedure
a. Procedure
In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the
correct procedure during play of a hole he may, without
penalty, complete the hole with two balls.
After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking
further action, the competitor must announce to his marker or
a fellow-competitor that he intends to play two balls and
which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. If he fails to
do so, the provisions of Rule 3-3b(ii) apply.

The competitor must report the facts of the situation to the
Committee before returning his score card. If he fails to do so,
he is disqualified.
b. Determination of Score for Hole
(i) If the ball that the competitor selected in advance to count
has been played in accordance with the Rules, the score
with that ball is the competitor’s score for the hole.
Otherwise, the score with the other ball counts if the Rules
allow the procedure adopted for that ball.
(ii) If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision
to complete the hole with two balls, or which ball he
wishes to count, the score with the original ball counts,
provided it has been played in accordance with the Rules.
If the original ball is not one of the balls being played, the
first ball put into play counts, provided it has been played
in accordance with the Rules. Otherwise, the score with
the other ball counts if the Rules allow the procedure
adopted for that ball.
Note 1: If a competitor plays a second ball under Rule 3-3, the
strokes made after this Rule has been invoked with the ball
ruled not to count and penalty strokes incurred solely by
playing that ball are disregarded.
Note 2: A second ball played under Rule 3-3 is not a
provisional ball under Rule 27-2.

3-4. Refusal to Comply with a Rule
If a competitor refuses to comply with a Rule affecting the
rights of another competitor, he is disqualified.

3-5. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in stroke play is two strokes
except when otherwise provided.

2-1. General
A match consists of one side playing against another over a
stipulated round unless otherwise decreed by the Committee.
In match play the game is played by holes.
Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, a hole is won by the
side that holes its ball in the fewer strokes. In a handicap
match the lower net score wins the hole.
The state of the match is expressed by the terms: so many
“holes up” or “all square”, and so many “to play”.
A side is “dormie’’ when it is as many holes up as there are
holes remaining to be played.

2-2. Halved Hole
A hole is halved if each side holes out in the same number
of strokes.
When a player has holed out and his opponent has been left
with a stroke for the half, if the player subsequently incurs a
penalty, the hole is halved.

2-3. Winner of Match
A match is won when one side leads by a number of holes
greater than the number remaining to be played.

If there is a tie, the Committee may extend the stipulated
round by as many holes as are required for a match to be won.

2-4. Concession of Next Stroke, Hole or Match
A player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time
provided the opponent’s ball is at rest. The opponent is
considered to have holed out with his next stroke and the ball
may be removed by either side.
A player may concede a hole at any time prior to the start or
conclusion of that hole.
A player may concede a match at any time prior to the start or
conclusion of that match.
A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.

2-5. Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims
In match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players,
a player may make a claim. If no duly authorised
representative of the Committee is available within a
reasonable time, the players must continue the match without
delay. The Committee may consider a claim only if the player
making the claim notifies his opponent (i) that he is making a
claim, (ii) of the facts of the situation and (iii) that he wants a
ruling. The claim must be made before any player in the match
plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last
hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the
putting green.
A later claim may not be considered by the Committee unless
it is based on facts previously unknown to the player making
the claim and he had been given wrong information
Once the result of the match has been officially announced,
a later claim may not be considered by the Committee unless
it is satisfied that the opponent knew he was giving
wrong information.

2-6. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in match play is loss of hole
except when otherwise provided.

Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section – see pages 23-35.

1-1. General
The Game of Golf consists of playing a ball with a club from
the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive
strokes in accordance with the Rules.

1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball
A player or caddie must not take any action to influence
the position or the movement of a ball except in accordance
with the Rules.
(Removal of movable obstruction – see Rule 24-1)

Note: In the case of a serious breach of Rule 1-2, the
Committee may impose a penalty of disqualification.
1-3. Agreement to Waive Rules
Players must not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or
to waive any penalty incurred.

Match play – Disqualification of both sides;
Stroke play – Disqualification of competitors concerned.
(Agreeing to play out of turn in stroke play – see Rule 10-2c)
1-4. Points Not Covered by Rules
If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision
should be made in accordance with equity.

Abnormal Ground Conditions

An “abnormal ground condition” is any casual water, ground
under repair or hole, cast or runway on the course made by a
burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird.

Addressing the Ball

A player has “addressed the ball’’ when he has taken his stance
and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player
has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.

Advice

“Advice’’ is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a
player in determining his play, the choice of a club or the
method of making a stroke.
Information on the Rules or on matters of public information,
such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting
green, is not advice.

Ball in Play

A ball is “in play” as soon as the player has made a stroke on
the teeing ground. It remains in play until it is holed, except
when it is lost, out of bounds or lifted, or another ball has been
substituted whether or not the substitution is permitted; a ball
so substituted becomes the ball in play.
If a ball is played from outside the teeing ground when the
player is starting play of a hole, or when attempting to correct
this mistake, the ball is not in play and Rule 11-4 or 11-5
applies. Otherwise, ball in play includes a ball played from
outside the teeing ground when the player elects or is required
to play his next stroke from the teeing ground.
Exception in match play: Ball in play includes a ball played by
the player from outside the teeing ground when starting play of
a hole if the opponent does not require the stroke to be
cancelled in accordance with Rule 11-4a.

Bunker

A “bunker’’ is a hazard consisting of a prepared area of
ground, often a hollow, from which turf or soil has been
removed and replaced with sand or the like.
Grass-covered ground bordering or within a bunker including
a stacked turf face (whether grass-covered or earthen), is not
part of the bunker. A wall or lip of the bunker not covered with
grass is part of the bunker.
The margin of a bunker extends vertically downwards, but not
upwards. A ball is in a bunker when it lies in or any part of it
touches the bunker.

Burrowing Animal

A “burrowing animal” is an animal that makes a hole for
habitation or shelter, such as a rabbit, mole, groundhog,
gopher or salamander.
Note: A hole made by a non-burrowing animal, such as a dog,
is not an abnormal ground condition unless marked or
declared as ground under repair.

 Caddie

A “caddie” is one who assists the player in accordance with the
Rules, which may include carrying or handling the player’s
clubs during play.
When one caddie is employed by more than one player, he is
always deemed to be the caddie of the player whose ball is
involved, and equipment carried by him is deemed to be that
player’s equipment, except when the caddie acts upon specific
directions of another player, in which case he is considered to
be that other player’s caddie.

Casual Water

“Casual water’’ is any temporary accumulation of water on the
course that is visible before or after the player takes his stance
and is not in a water hazard. Snow and natural ice, other than
frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the
option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew
and frost are not casual water. A ball is in casual water when
it lies in or any part of it touches the casual water.

Committee

The “Committee’’ is the committee in charge of the
competition or, if the matter does not arise in a competition,
the committee in charge of the course.

Competitor

A “competitor’’ is a player in a stroke play competition.
A “fellow-competitor’’ is any person with whom the
competitor plays. Neither is partner of the other.
In stroke play foursome and four-ball competitions, where the
context so admits, the word “competitor’’ or “fellowcompetitor’’
includes his partner.

Course

The “course’’ is the whole area within any boundaries
established by the Committee.

Equipment

“Equipment’’ is anything used, worn or carried by or for the player
except any ball he has played at the hole being played
and any small object, such as a coin or a tee, when used to
mark the position of a ball or the extent of an area in which a
ball is to be dropped. Equipment includes a golf cart, whether
or not motorised. If such a cart is shared by two or more
players, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be the
equipment of the player whose ball is involved except that,
when the cart is being moved by one of the players sharing it,
the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player’s
equipment.
Note: A ball played at the hole being played is equipment when
it has been lifted and not put back into play.

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This section provides guidelines on the manner in which the
game of golf should be played. If they are followed, all players
will gain maximum enjoyment from the game. The overriding
principle is that consideration should be shown to others on
the course at all times.

The Spirit of the Game

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without
the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the
integrity of the individual to show consideration for other
players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct
themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy
and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how
competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

Safety

Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a
position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles,
twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.
Players should not play until the players in front are out
of range.
Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when
they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of
hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The
traditional word of warning in such situations is “fore”.

Consideration for Other Players

No Disturbance or Distraction
Players should always show consideration for other players on
the course and should not disturb their play by moving,
talking or making unnecessary noise.
Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the
course does not distract other players.
On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it
is his turn to play.
Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or
directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

On the Putting Green
On the putting green, players should not stand on another
player's line of putt or, when he is making a stroke, cast a
shadow over his line of putt.
Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all
other players in the group have holed out.

Scoring
In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if
necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the
player concerned and record it.

Pace of Play

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may
establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
It is a group’s responsibility to keep up with the group in front.
If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it
should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of
the number of players in that group.

Be Ready to Play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to
play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should
leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick
movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the
play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately
leave the putting green.

Lost Ball
If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water
hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a
provisional ball.
Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the
group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes
apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should
not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed
the group behind to play through, they should not continue
play until that group has passed and is out of range.

Priority on the Course

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the
course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group
playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a
shorter round.

Care of the Course

Bunkers
Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and
smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any
nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable
proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for
this purpose.

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them
and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a
ball (whether or not made by the player himself). On
completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to
the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

Players should avoid causing damage to the course by
removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the
head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any
other reason.
Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting
green when putting down bags or the flagstick.
In order to avoid damaging the hole, players and caddies
should not stand too close to the hole and should take care
during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball
from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to
remove a ball from the hole.
Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting
green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before the
players leave the putting green.
Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be
strictly observed.

Conclusion; Penalties for Breach

If players follow the guidelines in this section, it will make the
game more enjoyable for everyone.
If a player consistently disregards these guidelines during a
round or over a period of time to the detriment of others, it is
recommended that the Committee considers taking
appropriate disciplinary action against the offending player.
Such action may, for example, include prohibiting play for a
limited time on the course or in a certain number of
competitions. This is considered to be justifiable in terms of
protecting the interest of the majority of golfers who wish to
play in accordance with these guidelines.