Purpose of Rule: Rule 23 covers Four-Ball (played either in match play or stroke play), where partners compete as a side with each playing a separate ball. The side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the partners on that hole.
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) is a form of play (in either 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 stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued)) involving partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. where:
Two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. compete together as a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued), with each player playing their own ball, and
A 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 the lower score of the two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. on that hole.
Rules 1-20 apply to this form of play, as modified by these specific Rules.
A variation of this 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) known as Best-Ball, where an individual player competes against a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) of two or three partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. and each partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. plays their own ball under the Rules, as modified by these specific Rules. (For Best-Ball with three partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. on a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued), each reference to the other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. means the other two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play.).
When Both Partners Hole Out or Otherwise Complete the Hole Under the Rules. The lower score is the side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) score for the hole.
When Only One Partner Holes Out or Otherwise Completes the Hole Under the Rules. That partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. score is the side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) score for the hole. The other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. does not need to hole outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued).
When Neither Partner Holes Out or Otherwise Completes the Hole Under the Rules. The sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) does not have a score for that hole, which means:
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 sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) loses the hole, unless the opposing sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) already had conceded or otherwise lost the hole.
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 sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) is disqualified unless the mistake is corrected in time under Rule 3.3c.
For each hole:
The gross score of at least one partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. must be entered on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).
There is no penalty for entering more than one partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. score on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).
Each score on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must be clearly identified as the score of the individual partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. who made it; if this is not done, the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) is disqualified.
It is not enough to identify a score as the score of the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) in general.
Only one partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. needs to certify the hole scores on the side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) under Rule 3.3b(2).
If only one score is entered for a hole, that score counts for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued).
If the scores of both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. are entered for a hole:
If those scores are different, the lowest (gross or net) score for that hole counts for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued).
If both scores are the same, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may count either score. If the score used is found to be wrong for any reason, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. will count the other score.
If the score that counts for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) is not clearly identified as the score of the individual partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. who made it or if that partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is disqualified relating to the play of the hole, the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) is disqualified.
Rule 11.2 does not apply in this situation:
When a player’s partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. has already completed the hole and the 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 lower the side's score for the hole by one stroke, if 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’s ball does not count for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued).
A side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. starts when one of the partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to start their first hole.
A side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends:
Either sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) has won the match (see Rule 3.2a(3)), or
The match is tied after the final hole when the Terms of the Competition say the match may end in a tie (see Rule 3.2a(4)).
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued), when the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) completes the final hole, either by both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. holing outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) (including correction of a mistake, such as under Rule 6.1 or 14.7b) or by one partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. holing outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) on the final hole and the other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. choosing not to do so.
Both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. have holed outHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) or had their next strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) conceded,
One partner 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) or had their next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) conceded and the other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. either chooses not 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) or has a score that cannot count for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued), or
The result of the hole is decided (such as when the other side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) score for the hole is lower than the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) could possibly make).
The sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) may be represented by one partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. during all or any part of a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.. It is not necessary for both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. to be present or, if present, for both to play on each hole.
If a partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is absent and then arrives to play, that partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may start play for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) only between the play of two holes, which means:
Match Play – Before Any Player in Match Starts Hole. If the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. arrives only after any player on either sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) in the match has started play of a hole, that partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is not allowed to play for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) until the next hole.
Stroke Play – Before Other Partner Starts Hole. If the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. arrives only after the other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. has started play of a hole, the arriving partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is not allowed to play for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) until the next hole.
An arriving partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. who is not allowed to play on a hole may still give adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke) that is intended to influence a player in:(...Continued) or help to the other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. and take other actions for the other partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. on that hole (see Rules 23.5a and 23.5b).
Penalty for Making a StrokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) When Not Allowed to Play Hole in Breach of Rule 23.4: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..
Although each player on a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) must play their own ball:
A player may take any action concerning the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ball that the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is allowed to take before making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), such as to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) the spot of the ball and lift, 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), dropDrop: 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) and place the ball.
A player and the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) may help the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. in any way that the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) is allowed to help (such as to give and be asked for adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke) that is intended to influence a player in:(...Continued) and take the other actions allowed under Rule 10), but must not give any help that the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) is not allowed to give under the Rules.
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued), partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. must not agree with each other to leave a ball in place on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) to help either of them or any other player (see Rule 15.3a).
Any action taken by the player concerning the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ball or equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie.(...Continued) is treated as having been taken by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
If the player’s action would breach a Rule if taken by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play.:
The partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is in breach of the Rule and gets the resulting penalty (see Rule 23.9a).
Examples of this are when the player breaches the Rules by:
ImprovingImprove: 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 conditions affecting the strokeConditions Affecting the Stroke: The lie of the player’s ball at rest, the area of intended stance, the area of intended swing, the line of play and the relief area where the player will drop or place a ball. to be made by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play.,
Accidentally causing the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ball 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), or
Failing to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) the spot of the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ball before lifting it.
This also applies to actions by the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) concerning the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ball that would breach a Rule if taken by the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. or partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued).
If the actions of the player or the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) affect the play of both the player’s own ball and the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. ball, see Rule 23.9a(2) to find out when there is a penalty for both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
PartnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may play in the order the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) considers best.
This means that when it is a player’s turn to play under Rule 6.4a (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 6.4b (stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued)), either the player or their partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. may play next.
Exception – Continuing Play of Hole After Stroke Conceded in Match Play:
A player must not continue play of a hole after the player’s next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) has been conceded if this would help their partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
If the player does so, their score for the hole stands without penalty, but the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. score for the hole cannot count for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued).
Rule 4.1b(2) is modified to allow partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. to share clubs, so long as the total number of clubs they have together is not more than 14.
In addition to the limitations in Rule 10.2b(4), a player must not stand on or close to an extension of the line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends their ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line.(...Continued) behind the ball while their partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to gain information for their (the player’s) next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).
Penalty for Breach of Rule 23.8: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..
When a player gets a penalty for breach of a Rule, the penalty may apply either to that player alone or to both partners (that is, to the side). This depends on the penalty and the form of play:
When a player gets a penalty other than disqualification, that penalty normally applies only to the player and not also to his or her partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play., except in the situations covered by (2).
Any penalty strokes are added only to the player’s score, not to the partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. score.
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), a player who gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (loss of hole) has no score that can count for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) on that hole; but this penalty has no effect on the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play., who may continue to play for the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) on that hole.
When Player Breaches Rule 4.1b (Limit of 14 Clubs; Shared, Added or Replaced Clubs). 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 sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) gets the penalty (adjustment of the match score); 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 partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. also gets the same penalty as the player.
When Player’s Breach Helps Partner’s Play. In either 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 stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued), the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. also gets the same penalty as the player.
In Match Play, When Player’s Breach Hurts Opponent’s Play. The partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. also gets the same penalty as the player.
Exception – Player Who Makes Stroke at Wrong Ball Is Not Treated as Having Helped Partner ‘s Play or Hurt Opponent’s Play:
Only the player (not the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play.) gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. for breach of Rule 6.3c.
This is true whether the ball played as a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:(...Continued) belongs to the partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play., an opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. or anyone else.
Rule 1.2 Standards of Player Conduct
Rule 1.3 Playing by the Rules
Rule 4.1a Club Allowed in Making a Stroke
Rule 4.1c Procedure for Taking Clubs Out of Play
Rule 4.2a Balls Allowed In Play of Round
Rule 4.3 Use of Equipment
Rule 5.6a Unreasonable Delay
Rule 5.7b What Players Must Do When Committee Suspends Play
Rule 6.2b Teeing Area Rules
Match Play Only:
Rule 3.2c Applying Handicaps in Handicap Match
Stroke Play Only:
Rule 3.3b(2) Player’s Responsibility: Certifying Hole Scores and Returning Scorecard
Rule 3.3b(3) Wrong Score for a Hole
Rule 3.3b(4) Scoring in Handicap Competition
Rule 5.2b Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds
Rule 23.2b Side’s Scorecard in Stroke Play
Rule 5.3 Starting and Ending Round
Rule 5.4 Playing in Groups
Rule 5.7a When Players May or Must Stop Play
Rule 5.7c What Players Must Do When Play Resumes
Stroke Play Only:
A sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) is disqualified if, at the same hole, both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. get penalties of disqualification under any combination of these Rules:
Rule 3.3c Failure to Hole Out
Rule 6.1b Playing from Outside Teeing Area in Starting Hole
Rule 6.3c Wrong Ball
Rule 14.7 Playing from Wrong Place
Rule 20.1c(3) Failure to Report Playing of Two Balls
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), if both partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. breach such a Rule on the same hole, the sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play.(...Continued) loses the hole.