Rule 3 - The Competition

3.2 Match Play

3.2b(1)/1 – Players Must Not Concede Holes to Deliberately Shorten a Match

Although a player is allowed to concede a hole to their opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. at any time before that hole is completed, a player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. are not allowed to agree to concede holes to each other to shorten the match.

For example, before starting a match, a player and their opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. agree to alternate the concession of holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 to one another.

If they know that the Rules do not allow them to make concessions in this way and start the match without cancelling the agreement, both players are disqualified under Rule 1.3b(1) (Player Responsibility for Applying the Rules).

If the players are unaware that this is not allowed, the match stands as played.

3.2b(1)/2 – Concession Not Valid When Result of Hole Has Already Been Decided

If a player concedes the hole to their opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. but then discovers that the player had 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 fewer strokes, the concession was not valid as the hole had already been completed. (New)

3.2b(2)/1 – Concession Is Not Valid When Caddie Attempts to Make Concession

One of the actions a caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) is not allowed to take is to concede the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), a hole or the match to the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.. If a caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) attempts to concede, that concession is not valid. There is no penalty to the player for this action of the caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) since Rule 10.3b(3) (Actions Not Allowed By Caddie) does not specify a penalty.

If the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. takes an action based on the caddie’sCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) attempt to concede, such as lifting a ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:(...Continued) or 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), this would be a reasonable misunderstanding under Rule 3.2b(2). There is no penalty and the ball or ball-markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) 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) unless the player then makes a concession.

However, if the caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) who made the invalid concession lifted the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. 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 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) of their player, that caddie’sCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued) player would get a penalty if that act was a breach of Rule 9.4 or Rule 9.5.

3.2c(1)/1 – Declaring Higher Handicap Is a Breach Even If Affected Hole Has Not Been Played

If a player declares a higher handicap to their opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. before playing the hole that would be affected, the player is still disqualified since this could have affected the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. strategy.

For example, while waiting on the first tee to start the match, Player A declares that their handicap is 12, when it is really 11. Player B declares that their handicap is 10, and Player B makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to start play of the 1st hole.

Player A is disqualified under Rule 3.2c(1) because Player B made a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in the match with the understanding that Player A gets two handicap strokes.

3.2c(1)/2 – Player Gives Opponent Incorrect Handicap Information Before Handicap Match.

If a player gives the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. incorrect information in relation to their handicap and this results in the player giving too few or getting too many strokes, the player is disqualified under Rule 3.2c(1).

For example, a player tells an opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. an incorrect Handicap IndexTM, or a Course HandicapTM or Playing HandicapTM that they (the player) calculated incorrectly, and this is used to determine how many handicap strokes there will be in the match. If this means the player will get too many or give too few handicap strokes because of the incorrect information, and this error is not corrected before the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. makes their next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), the player is disqualified. (New)

3.2d(1)/1 – Meaning of the “No Penalty If No Effect on Result of Hole” Exception

During play of a hole, a player must give the right number of strokes taken so their opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. can decide how to play the hole. However, after a hole is completed, if a player gives the wrong number of strokes taken, there is no penalty under the Exception to Rule 3.2d(1) if doing so did not affect the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. understanding of whether the hole was won, lost or tied.

For example, after completing a hole at which the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. scored a 7, the player mistakenly states that they scored a 5, when the player actually scored a 6. After starting the next hole, the player realizes that they scored a 6. Since the wrong number of strokes taken did not change the fact that the player had won the hole, there is no penalty.

3.2d(1)/2 – Wrong Number of Strokes Given by Player After Hole Completed and the Mistake Is Discovered Several Holes Later

If a player gives the wrong number of strokes taken after a hole is completed, the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. if the mistake affects the result of the hole and is not corrected in time. In such a case, the match score must be corrected.

For example, after completing the 1st hole the player tells the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. that they scored a 4 but actually scored a 5. The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. scored a 5 on the hole. After playing several more holes, the player realizes that they gave the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. the wrong number of strokes taken on the 1st hole.

Even though the hole would have been a tie if the right number of strokes taken had been given, the player gets a loss-of-hole penalty on the first hole because the mistake affected the understanding of the result of the hole. The match score must be corrected.

3.2d(1)/3 – Wrong Number of Strokes Given by Player After Hole Completed and the Mistake Is Discovered After Result of the Match Is Final

If a player unknowingly gives the wrong number of strokes taken after a hole is completed but the mistake is not realized until after the result of the match is final (Rule 3.2a(5) – When Result Is Final), the result of the match stands as played.

For example, after completing the 17th hole, the player tells the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. that they scored a 3, but actually scored a 4. The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. scored a 4 on the hole. The players play the 18th hole, and the result of the player winning the match 1 up is made final. The player then realizes that they gave the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. the wrong number of strokes taken on the 17th hole.

Because the player unknowingly gave the wrong number of strokes and the result of the match is final, there is no penalty and the match result stands, with the player as the winner (Rule 20.1b(3) – Ruling Request Made After Result of Match Is Final).

3.2d(1)/4 – Changing Mind About Taking Penalty Relief Is Not Giving Wrong Number of Strokes Taken

The right number of strokes taken means only the strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) a player has already made and any penalty strokes already received.

For example, the player’s ball lies in a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.(...Continued) and the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. asks how the player intends to proceed. Although not required to answer the question, the player advises that they will take penalty relief. After the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. plays, the player decides to play the ball as it lies in the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.(...Continued).

The player was entitled to change their mind and there was no penalty for doing so since stating future intentions is not the same as giving the number of strokes taken.

3.2d(2)/1 – “As Soon as Reasonably Possible” Is Not Always Before the Opponent’s Next Stroke

The phrase “as soon as reasonably possible” allows for consideration of all relevant circumstances, especially how near the player is to the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play..

For example, if the player takes unplayable ball relief when the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. is on the opposite side of the fairway and the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. plays before the player can walk over to tell the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. about the penalty, “as soon as reasonably possible” may be while they are walking up to the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:(...Continued) to make their next strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).

There is no set procedure for determining what is “as soon as reasonably possible”, but it does not always mean before the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. makes the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).

3.2d(3)/1 – Deliberately Giving Incorrect Match Score or Failing to Correct Opponent’s Misunderstanding of Match Score May Result in Disqualification

Rule 3.2d(3) expects players to know the match score, but does not require a player to give the match score to the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play..

If a player deliberately gives an incorrect match score or deliberately fails to correct the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. misunderstanding of the match score, they have not given the wrong number of strokes taken. But the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should disqualify the player under Rule 1.2a (Serious Misconduct).

3.2d(4)/1 – Meaning of “Agree” in Rule 3.2d(4)

A player in a match who knows or believes that their opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. has breached a Rule that has a penalty may choose not to act on the breach, but the player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. may not agree to ignore a breach or penalty they know applies. For there to be an agreement, both players need to have been involved in the decision to ignore the breach or the penalty.

The following examples illustrate when there is not an agreement between a player and an opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.:

In such cases when a player makes a sole decision not to act on a breach and tells the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. of that decision, the player may not change that decision after either player makes another strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued)  on the hole, or if no more strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) are made on that hole, once either player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) from the next teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued).

The following examples illustrate when there is an agreement between the player and the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.:

3.3 Stroke Play

3.3b/1 – Players Must Be Accompanied by a Marker for the Entire Round

The purpose of a markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) is to certify that a player’s score for each hole is correctly shown on the player’s scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued). If a markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) is not with the player for the entire roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) cannot be properly certified.

For example, if a player plays several holes without their markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) and the markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) enters the player’s scores for the holes the player played alone, the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) cannot be properly certified under Rule 3.3b.

The player should have insisted that the markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) accompany the player for all of the holes. If the markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) was unable to do so, the player should have asked another person to serve as their markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued). If that was not possible, the player was required to stop play and report to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. so that another markerMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) could be assigned.

3.3b/2 – Information Put in Wrong Location on Scorecard May Still Be Acceptable

Although all requirements of Rule 3.3b must be met before a scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) is returned, there is no penalty if the correct information is mistakenly entered on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) in a place other than where it was expected to be, except that each hole score on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must be identifiable to the correct hole (see 3.3b(3)/1).

For example:

3.3b/3 – Another Scorecard May Be Used If Official Scorecard Is Damaged or Misplaced

Although a player should return the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) that they were given by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., Rule 3.3b does not require the same scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) to be returned if it was damaged or misplaced.

For example, if the markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) misplaces a paper scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) that had been handed out by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., it would be acceptable to use another scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) (such as a club scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued)) so long as that scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) has the player’s name and hole scores, and is certified by the player and markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued).

When an electronic scoring system is used and the player or markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) loses internet connectivity or there is a technical issue, the players should raise the matter with the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. as soon as possible and no later than immediately after the round is completed.

3.3b(2)/1 – Players Are Required to Enter Only Scores on a Scorecard

There is a difference between requiring players to enter a score for a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. into a computer (such as for handicapping purposes) and being required to enter hole scores using an electronic form of scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) approved by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. (such as a mobile scoring application).

The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may require players to use a scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) other than a paper scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) (such as an electronic form of scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued)), but the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. has no authority to impose a penalty under Rule 3.3b(2) for failing to enter scores elsewhere.

However, to help in administrative matters (such as the efficient production and communication of competition results), a CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may apply a penalty under a Code of Conduct (Rule 1.2b) or provide disciplinary sanctions (such as revoking entry into the next competition) for failing to enter scores elsewhere.

3.3b(2)/2 – Application of the Exception for Marker Failing to Carry Out Their Responsibilities

Under the Exception to Rule 3.3b(2), a player gets no penalty if there is a breach of the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) requirements because of a failure of the markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) that is beyond the player’s control.

Examples of how the Exception operates include:

3.3b(3)/1 – Scores on Scorecard Must Be Identifiable to Correct Hole

Under Rule 3.3b, each hole score on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) must be identifiable to the correct hole.

For example, if a markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.(...Continued) enters the player’s front nine scores in the back nine boxes and the back nine scores in the front nine boxes, the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) will still be acceptable if the mistake is corrected by altering the hole numbers so that they go with the right score for each hole.

However, if this mistake is not corrected and, as a result, a hole score is lower than actually taken on that hole, the player is disqualified under Rule 3.3b(3).

3.3b(4)/1 – Penalty for Player Who Deliberately Fails to Alert Committee to an Administrative Mistake

The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. is responsible for adding up the player’s hole scores and, in a handicap competition, for determining how many handicap strokes the player will get for the round and calculating the player’s net score.

If the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. makes an error in carrying out any of these responsibilities, this is an administrative mistake and there is no time limit to correct such a mistake (Rule 20.2d(2)). But if a player notices such a mistake, they are responsible for alerting the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. to the mistake. If it is discovered that the player noticed such a mistake and they deliberately failed to bring it to the attention of the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should disqualify the player under Rule 1.2a (Serious Misconduct). (New)