Purpose of Rule: Rule 21 covers four other forms of individual play, including three forms of stroke play where scoring is different than in regular stroke play: Stableford (scoring by points awarded on each hole); Maximum Score (the score for each hole is capped at a maximum); and Par/Bogey (match play scoring used on a hole by hole basis).
StablefordStableford: A form of stroke play where: is a form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) where:
A player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) score for a hole is based on points awarded by comparing the player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes) on the hole to a fixed target score for the hole set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., and
The competition is won by the player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) who completes all roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. with the most points.
The Rules for stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) in Rules 1-20 apply, as modified by these specific Rules. Rule 21.1 is written for:
Scratch competitions, but can be adapted for handicap competitions, and
Individual play, but can be adapted for competitions involving partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play., as modified by Rules 22 (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)) and 23 (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)), and for team competitions, as modified by Rule 24.
Hole Played In |
Points |
---|---|
More than one over fixed target score or no score returned |
0 |
One over fixed target score |
1 |
Fixed target score |
2 |
One under fixed target score |
3 |
Two under fixed target score |
4 |
Three under fixed target score |
5 |
Four under fixed target score |
6 |
A player who does not hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under the Rules for any reason gets zero points for the hole.
To help pace of play, players are encouraged to stop playing a hole when their score will result in zero points.
The hole is completed when the player holes outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), chooses not to do so or when their score will result in zero points.
If Hole Is Completed by Holing Out:
When Score Would Result in Points Being Awarded. The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show the score.
When Score Would Result in Zero Points. The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show either no score or any score that results in zero points being awarded.
If Hole Is Completed Without Holing Out. If the player does not hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under the Rules, the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show either no score or any score that results in zero points being awarded.
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. is responsible for calculating how many points the player gets on each hole and, in a handicap competition, for applying handicap strokes to the score entered for each hole before calculating the number of points.
All penalties that apply in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) apply in StablefordStableford: A form of stroke play where:, except that a player who breaches any of these five Rules is not disqualified but gets zero points for the hole where the breach happened:
Failure 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) under Rule 3.3c,
Failure to correct mistake of playing from outside the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued) in starting a hole (see Rule 6.1b(2)),
Failure to correct mistake of playing a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:(...Continued) (see Rule 6.3c),
Failure to correct mistake of 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) when there is a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued) (see Rule 14.7b), or
Failure to correct mistake of making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in the wrong order (see Rule 22.3).
If the player breaches any other Rule with a penalty of disqualification, the player is disqualified.
After applying any penalty strokes, the player’s StablefordStableford: A form of stroke play where: score for a hole cannot be lower than zero points.
Rule 11.2 does not apply in this situation:
If a player’s ball in motion needs to be 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) to get one point on the hole and any person deliberately deflects or stops the ball at a time when there is no reasonable chance it can be 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), there is no penalty to that person and the player gets zero points on the hole.
A player’s roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends when the player:
Holes outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on their final hole (including correction of a mistake, such as under Rule 6.1 or 14.7b), or
Chooses not to hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on the final hole or already cannot get more than zero points on the hole.
Maximum ScoreMaximum Score: A form of stroke play where a player’s or side’s score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes (including strokes made and any penalty strokes) set by the Committee, such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey. is a form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) where a player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey.
The Rules for stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) in Rules 1-20 apply, as modified by these specific Rules. Rule 21.2 is written for:
Scratch competitions, but can be adapted for handicap competitions as well, and
Individual play, but can be adapted for competitions involving partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play., as modified by Rules 22 (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)) and 23 (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)), and for team competitions, as modified by Rule 24.
A player who does not hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under the Rules for any reason gets the maximum score for the hole.
To help pace of play, players are encouraged to stop playing a hole when their score has reached the maximum.
The hole is completed when the player holes outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), chooses not to do so or when their score has reached the maximum.
If Hole Is Completed by Holing Out:
When Score Is Lower Than Maximum. The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show the actual score.
When Score Is Same as or Higher Than Maximum. The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show either no score or any score at or above the maximum.
If Hole Is Completed Without Holing Out. If the player does not hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under the Rules, the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show either no score or any score at or above the maximum.
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. is responsible for adjusting the player’s score to the maximum for any hole where the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) shows either no score or any score above the maximum and, in a handicap competition, for applying handicap strokes.
All penalties that apply in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) apply in Maximum ScoreMaximum Score: A form of stroke play where a player’s or side’s score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes (including strokes made and any penalty strokes) set by the Committee, such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey., except that a player who breaches any of these five Rules is not disqualified but gets the maximum score for the hole where the breach happened:
Failure to hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under Rule 3.3c,
Failure to correct mistake of playing from outside the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued) in starting a hole (see Rule 6.1b(2)),
Failure to correct mistake of playing a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:(...Continued) (see Rule 6.3c),
Failure to correct mistake of 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) when there is a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued) (see Rule 14.7b), or
Failure to correct mistake of making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in the wrong order (see Rule 22.3).
If the player breaches any other Rule with a penalty of disqualification, the player is disqualified.
After applying any penalty strokes, the player’s score for a hole cannot exceed the maximum score set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course..
Rule 11.2 does not apply in this situation:
If a player’s ball in motion needs to be 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) to score one lower than the maximum score on the hole and any person deliberately deflects or stops the ball at a time when there is no reasonable chance it can be 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), there is no penalty to that person and the player gets the maximum score on the hole.
A player’s roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends when the player:
Holes outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on their final hole (including correction of a mistake, such as under Rule 6.1 or 14.7b), or
Chooses not to hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on the final hole or already will get the maximum score on the hole.
Par/BogeyPar/Bogey: A form of stroke play that uses scoring as in match play where: is a form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) that uses scoring as 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) where:
A player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) wins or loses a hole by completing the hole in fewer strokes or more strokes than a fixed target score for that hole set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., and
The competition is won by the player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) with the highest total of holes won versus holes lost (that is, adding up the holes won and deducting the holes lost).
The Rules for stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) in Rules 1-20 apply, as modified by these specific Rules. Rule 21.3 is written for:
Scratch competitions, but can be adapted for handicap competitions as well, and
Individual play, but can be adapted for competitions involving partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play., as modified by Rules 22 (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)) and 23 (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)), and for team competitions, as modified by Rule 24.
If the player’s score is lower than the fixed score, the player wins the hole.
If the player’s score is the same as the fixed score, the hole is tied (also known as halved).
If the player’s score is higher than the fixed score, or no score is returned, the player loses the hole.
A player who does not hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under the Rules for any reason loses the hole.
To help pace of play, players are encouraged to stop playing a hole when their score exceeds the fixed score (as they have lost the hole).
The hole is completed when the player holes outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued), chooses not to do so or when their score exceeds the fixed score.
If Hole Is Completed by Holing Out:
When Score Results in Hole Being Won or Tied. The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show the actual score.
When Score Results in Hole Being Lost. The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show either no score or any score that results in the hole being lost.
If Hole Is Completed Without Holing Out. If the player does not hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under the Rules, the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must show either no score or any score that results in the hole being lost.
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. is responsible for deciding whether the player won, lost or tied each hole and, in a handicap competition, for applying handicap strokes to the score entered for each hole before deciding the result of the hole.
Exception – No Penalty If No Effect on Result of Hole: If the player returns a scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) with a hole score lower than the actual score but this does not affect whether the hole was won, lost or tied, there is no penalty under Rule 3.3b.
All penalties that apply in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) apply in Par/BogeyPar/Bogey: A form of stroke play that uses scoring as in match play where:, except that a player who breaches any of these five Rules is not disqualified but loses the hole where the breach happened:
Failure to hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) under Rule 3.3c,
Failure to correct mistake of playing from outside the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued) in starting a hole (see Rule 6.1b(2)),
Failure to correct mistake of playing a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:(...Continued) (see Rule 6.3c),
Failure to correct mistake of 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) when there is a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place.(...Continued) (see Rule 14.7b), or
Failure to correct mistake of making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in the wrong order (see Rule 22.3).
If the player breaches any other Rule with a penalty of disqualification, the player is disqualified.
After applying any penalty strokes, the player can do no worse than lose the hole.
Rule 11.2 does not apply in this situation:
If a player’s ball in motion needs to be 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) to tie the hole and any person deliberately deflects or stops the ball at a time when there is no reasonable chance it can be 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), there is no penalty to that person and the player loses the hole.
A player’s roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends when the player:
Holes outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on their final hole (including correction of a mistake, such as under Rule 6.1 or 14.7b), or
Chooses not to hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on the final hole or has already lost the hole.
Three-BallThree-Ball: A form of match play where: 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) is a form of 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) where:
Each of three players plays an individual match against the other two players at the same time, and
Each player plays one ball that is used in both of their matches.
The Rules for 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) in Rules 1-20 apply to all three individual matches, except that these specific Rules apply in two situations where applying the Rules in one match might conflict with applying them in another match.
If a player plays out of turn in any match, the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. who should have played first may cancel the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) under Rule 6.4a(2):
If the player played out of turn in both matches, each opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. may choose whether to cancel the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in their match with the player.
If a player’s strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) is cancelled only in one match:
The player must continue play with the original ball in the other match.
This means the player must complete the hole by playing a separate ball in each match.
If an opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. gets one penalty stroke for lifting a 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) or causing the 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) 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) under Rule 9.5b or 9.7b, that penalty applies only in the match with that player.
The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. gets no penalty in their match with the other player.
Although only certain forms of play are specifically covered by Rules 3, 21, 22 and 23, golf is also played in many other forms, such as scrambles and greensomes.
The Rules can be adapted to govern play in these and other forms of play.