Purpose of Rule: Rule 13 is a specific Rule for putting greens. Putting greens are specially prepared for playing the ball along the ground and there is a flagstick for the hole on each putting green, so certain different Rules apply than for other areas of the course.
Purpose of Rule: This Rule allows the player to do things on the putting green that are normally not allowed off the putting green, such as being allowed to mark, lift, clean and replace a ball and to repair damage and remove sand and loose soil on the putting green. There is no penalty for accidentally causing a ball or ball-marker to move on the putting green.
A ball is on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) when any part of the ball:
Touches the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...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 the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued).
If part of the ball is both on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) and in another area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:, see Rule 2.2c.
A ball on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) may be lifted and cleaned (see Rule 14.1).
The spot of the ball must be markedMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) before it is lifted (see Rule 14.1) and 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 its original spot (see Rule 14.2).
During a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, a player may take these two actions on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued), no matter whether the ball is on or off the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued):
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).
There are two specific Rules for a 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) that 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) 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.
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.
During a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, a player must not deliberately take either of these actions to test the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...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):
Rub the surface, or
Roll a ball.
Exception – Testing Greens When Between Two Holes: Between two holes, a player may rub the surface or roll a ball on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) of the hole just completed and on any practice green (see Rule 5.5b).
Penalty for Testing the Putting GreenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...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) in Breach of Rule 13.1e: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..
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.
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).
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.
Purpose of Rule: This Rule covers the player’s choices for dealing with the flagstick. The player may leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed (which includes having someone attend the flagstick and remove it after the ball is played), but must decide before making a stroke. There is normally no penalty if a ball in motion hits the flagstick.
This Rule applies to a ball played from anywhere on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued), whether on or off the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...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..
There is no penalty (except as provided in (1)), and
The ball must be played as it lies.
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.
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.
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.
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).
If a player’s ball comes to rest against 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):
If any part of the ball is in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) below the surface of the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued), the ball is treated as holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.(...Continued) even if the entire ball is not below the surface.
If no part of the ball is in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) below the surface of the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued):
The ball is not holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.(...Continued) and must be played as it lies.
If 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) is removed and the ball 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) (whether it falls into the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) or moves away from the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued)), there is no penalty and 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 lip of the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) (see Rule 14.2).
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 13.2c: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. Under Rule 14.7a.
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued), the player is disqualified if they fail to hole outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.(...Continued) as required under Rule 3.3c.
If any part of a player’s ball overhangs the lip of the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued):
The player is allowed a reasonable time to reach the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) and ten more seconds to wait to see whether the ball will fall into the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued).
If the ball falls into the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) in this waiting time, the player has holed outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.(...Continued) with the previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).
If the ball does not fall into the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) in this waiting time:
The ball is treated as being at rest.
If the ball then falls into the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) before it is played, the player has holed outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.(...Continued) with the previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), but gets one penalty stroke added to the score for the hole.
If a ball overhanging the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) is lifted or 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), other than 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., before the waiting time under Rule 13.3a has ended, the ball is treated as having come to rest:
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 lip of the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) (see Rule 14.2), and
The waiting time under Rule 13.3a no longer applies to the ball. (See Rule 9.3 for what to do if the 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) ball is then 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 forces.)
If the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. in match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds:(...Continued) 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) deliberately lifts or 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 overhanging the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) before the waiting time has ended:
In match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds:(...Continued), the player’s ball is treated as holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.(...Continued) with the previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), and there is no penalty to the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. under Rule 11.2b.
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued), the player who lifted or 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) the ball gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (two penalty strokes). 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 lip of the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) (see Rule 14.2).