Playoff in Stroke Play

If there is to be a playoff in stroke play, the Terms of the competition should set the following:

• When the playoff will be held – for example, if it will start at a specific time, as soon as possible after the last group finishes, or on a later date.
• Which holes will be used for the playoff.
• The number of holes over which the playoff will be played – for example, over a specified number of holes such as 3, 6 or 18 holes, and what to do if there is still a tie after that.
  • In the format of stroke play, if a playoff for a handicap competition is over fewer than 18 holes, the number of holes played should be used to determine the number of strokes to be deducted. The fraction of the Playing Handicap determines the rounded value to be used. It is recommended that any such playoff consist of at least three holes. For example, if a playoff is over three holes, one sixth of the Playing Handicap should be deducted from the score for the playoff holes.
  • For playoffs in net competitions where the stroke index allocation is used, such as Four-Ball, Par/Bogey or Stableford competitions, handicap strokes should be applied during the playoff holes as they were assigned for the competition, using the stroke index allocation.
• Players are only required to return a scorecard for the playoff if the Committee issues them to the players.