Rule 13 - Putting Greens

(1) Removal of Sand and Loose Soil. Sand and loose soil on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued)  may be removed without penalty.

(2) Repair of Damage. A player may repair damage on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) without penalty by taking reasonable actions to restore the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) as nearly as possible to its original condition, but only:

• By using their hand, foot or other part of the body or a normal ball-mark repair tool, teeTee: An object used to raise a ball above the ground to play it from the teeing area. It must be no longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm) and conform with the Equipment Rules., club or similar item of normal equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued), and

• Without unreasonably delaying play (see Rule 5.6a).

But if the player improvesImprove: To alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke or other physical conditions affecting play so that a player gains a potential advantage for a stroke. the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) by taking actions that exceed what is reasonable to restore the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) to its original condition (such as by creating a pathway to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued)  or by using an object that is not allowed), the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. for breach of Rule 8.1a.

“Damage on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) ” means any damage caused by any person (including the player) or outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course:, such as:

• Ball marks, shoe damage (such as spike marks) and scrapes or indentations caused by equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) or a flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued),

• Old holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) plugs, turf plugs, seams of cut turf and scrapes or indentations from maintenance tools or vehicles,

• AnimalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). tracks or hoof indentations, and

• Embedded objects (such as a stone, acorn, hail or teeTee: An object used to raise a ball above the ground to play it from the teeing area. It must be no longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm) and conform with the Equipment Rules.) and indentations caused by them.

But “damage on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) ” does not include any damage or conditions that result from:

• Normal practices for maintaining the overall condition of the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) (such as aeration holes and grooves from vertical mowing),

• Irrigation or rain or other natural forcesNatural Forces: The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity.,

• Natural surface imperfections (such as weeds or areas of bare, diseased or uneven growth), or

• Natural wear of the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued).

(1) No Penalty for Accidentally Causing Ball to Move. There is no penalty if the player, opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. or another player in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) accidentally movesMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued) the player’s ball or ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.(...Continued) on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued).

The player must:

• ReplaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the ball on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), or

• Place a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.(...Continued) to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) that original spot.

Exception – Ball Must Be Played as It Lies When Ball Begins to Move During Backswing or Stroke and Stroke Is Made (see Rule 9.1b).

If the player or opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. deliberately lifts the player’s ball or ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.(...Continued) on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued), see Rule 9.4 or 9.5 to find out if there is a penalty.

(2) When to Replace Ball Moved by Natural Forces. If natural forcesNatural Forces: The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity. cause a player’s ball on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) to moveMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued), where the player must play from next depends on whether the ball had already been lifted and replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued)  on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) (see Rule 14.1):

• Ball Already Lifted and Replaced. The ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) on the spot it movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued) from (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), even though it was movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).(...Continued) by natural forcesNatural Forces: The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity. and not by the player, the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. or an outside influenceOutside Influence: Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipment or to the course: (see Rule 9.3, Exception).

• Ball Not Already Lifted and Replaced. The ball must be played from its new spot (see Rule 9.3).

Penalty for Playing from a Wrong PlaceWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) in Breach of Rule 13.1d: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. Under Rule 14.7a.

(1) Meaning of Interference by Wrong Green. Interference under this Rule exists when:

• Any part of the player’s ball touches a wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:(...Continued) or lies on or in anything (such as a loose impedimentLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:(...Continued) or an obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.(...Continued)) and is inside the edge of a wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:(...Continued), or

• A wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:(...Continued) physically interferes with the player’s area of intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) or area of intended swing.

(2) Relief Must Be Taken. When there is interference by a wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:(...Continued), a player must not play the ball as it lies.

Instead, the player must take free relief by droppingDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play.(...Continued) the original ball or another ball in this relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. With the exception of back-on-the-line relief (see Rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b and 19.3), each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:(...Continued) (see Rule 14.3):

• Reference Point: The nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.(...Continued) in the same area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: where the original ball came to rest.

• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-lengthClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter.(...Continued), but with these limits:

• Limits on Location of Relief Area:

  • Must be in the same area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: as the reference point,

  • Must not be nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) than the reference point, and

  • There must be complete relief from all interference by the wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:(...Continued).

(3) No Relief Where Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under Rule 13.1f if interference exists only because the player chooses a club, type of stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued) or swing or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable under the circumstances.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong PlaceWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) in Breach of Rule 13.1f: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. Under Rule 14.7a.

See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule D-3  (the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may adopt a Local Rule denying relief from a wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:(...Continued) that only interferes with the area of intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.(...Continued)).

(1) Player May Leave Flagstick in Hole. The player may make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) with the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) left in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), so that it is possible for the ball in motion to hit the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued).

The player must decide this before making the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), by either:

• Leaving the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) where it is in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) or moving it so that it is centred in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) and leaving it there, or

• Having a removed flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) put back in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued).

In either case:

• The player must not try to gain an advantage by deliberately moving the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) to a position other than centred in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued).

• If the player does so and the ball in motion then hits the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued), they get the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..

(2) No Penalty If Ball Hits Flagstick Left in Hole. If the player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) with the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) left in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) and the ball in motion then hits the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued):

• There is no penalty (except as provided in (1)), and

• The ball must be played as it lies.

(3) Limitation on Player Moving or Removing Flagstick in Hole While Ball Is in Motion. After making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) with the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) left in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued):

• The player and their caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) must not deliberately move or remove the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) to affect where the player’s ball in motion might come to rest (such as to avoid having the ball hit the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued)). If this is done, the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..

• But there is no penalty if the player has the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) moved or removed for any other reason, such as when they reasonably believe that the ball in motion will not hit the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) before coming to rest.

(4) Limitation on Other Players Moving or Removing Flagstick When Player Has Decided to Leave It in Hole. When the player has left the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) and has not authorized anyone to attend the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) (see Rule 13.2b(1)), another player must not deliberately move or remove the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) to affect where the player’s ball in motion might come to rest.

• If another player or their caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) does so before or during the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) and the player makes the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) without being aware of this, or does so while the player’s ball is in motion after the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), that other player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..

• But there is no penalty if the other player or their caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) moves or removes the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) for any other reason, such as when they:

  • Reasonably believe that the player’s ball in motion will not hit the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) before coming to rest, or

  • Are not aware that the player is about to play or that the player’s ball is in motion.

See Rule 22.2 (in FoursomesFoursomes (also known as “Alternate Shot”): A form of play where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole.(...Continued), either partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may act for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) and action by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is treated as action of the player); 23.5 (in Four-BallFour-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing their own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.(...Continued), either partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may act for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) and action by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. concerning the player’s ball or equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) is treated as action of the player).

(1) Player May Have Flagstick Removed from Hole. The player may make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) with the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) removed from the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), so that their ball in motion will not hit the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued).

The player must decide this before making the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), by either:

• Having the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) removed from the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) before playing the ball, or

• Authorizing someone to attend the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued), which means to:

  • Holding the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in, above or next to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) before the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to show the player where the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) is, and

  • Then remove the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued)  during the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or after the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) is made.

The player is treated as having authorized the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) to be attended if:

• The player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) is holding the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in, above or next to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) or is standing right next to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) when the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) is made, even if the player is not aware the caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) is doing so,

• The player asks any other person to attend the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) and that person does so, or

• The player sees any other person holding the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in, above or next to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) or standing right next to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), and the player makes the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) without asking that person to move away or to leave the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) in the hole.

(2) What to Do If Ball Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. If the player’s ball in motion hits a flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) that the player had decided to have removed under (1), or hits the person who is attending the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) (or anything the person is holding), what happens depends on whether this was accidental or deliberate:

• Ball Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Who Removed or Is Attending It. If the player’s ball in motion accidentally hits the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) or the person who removed or is attending it (or anything the person is holding), there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies.

• Ball Deliberately Deflected or Stopped by Person Attending Flagstick. If the person who is attending the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) deliberately deflects or stops the player’s ball in motion, Rule 11.2c applies:

  • Where Ball Is Played from. The player must not play the ball as it lies and instead must take relief under Rule 11.2c.

  • When Penalty Applies. If the person who deliberately deflected or stopped the ball was a player or their caddie, that player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. for a breach of Rule 11.2.

For purposes of this Rule, “deliberately deflected or stopped” means the same thing as in Rule 11.2a, and includes when the player’s ball in motion hits:

• A removed flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) that was deliberately positioned or left in a particular place on the ground so that it might deflect or stop the ball,

• An attended flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) that the person deliberately failed to remove from the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) or to move out of the way of the ball, or

• The person who attended or removed the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.(...Continued) (or anything the person was holding), when they deliberately failed to move out of the way of the ball.

Exception – Restrictions on Deliberately Moving Flagstick to Affect a Ball in Motion (see Rule 11.3).

See Rule 22.2 (in FoursomesFoursomes (also known as “Alternate Shot”): A form of play where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole.(...Continued), either partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may act for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) and action by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is treated as action of the player); 23.5 (in Four-BallFour-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing their own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.(...Continued), either partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may act for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) and action by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. concerning the player’s ball or equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) is treated as action of the player).