Rule 3 - The Competition

(1) Match Play or Regular Stroke Play. These are very different forms of 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) (see Rule 3.2), a player and an opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. compete against each other based on holes won, lost or tied.

• In the regular 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) (see Rule 3.3), all players compete with one another based on the total score – that is, adding up each player’s total number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes) on each hole in all roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee..

Most of the Rules apply in both forms of play, but certain Rules apply in only one or the other.

See Committee Procedures, Section 6C (11)  (considerations for the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. if it runs a competition that combines the two forms of play in a single roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.).

(2) Other Forms of Stroke Play. Rule 21 covers other forms of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) (StablefordStableford: A form of stroke play where:, 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. and Par/BogeyPar/Bogey: A form of stroke play that uses scoring as in match play where:) that use a different scoring method. Rules 1-20 apply in these forms of play, as modified by Rule 21.

(1) Scratch Competitions. In a scratch competition:

• The player’s “gross score” for a hole or the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. is their total number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes).

• The player’s handicap is not applied.

(2) Handicap Competitions. In a handicap competition:

• The player’s “net score” for a hole or the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. is the gross score adjusted for the player’s handicap strokes.

• This is done so that players of differing abilities can compete in a fair way.

(1) Winning a Hole. A player wins a hole when:

• The player completes the hole in fewer strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes) than the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.,

• The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. concedes the hole, or

• The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (loss of hole).

If the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. ball in motion needs to be holedOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. to tie the hole and the ball is deliberately deflected or stopped by any person 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) (such as when the ball has rolled past the holeHoled: 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 will not roll back there), the result of the hole has been decided and the player wins the hole (see Rule 11.2a, Exception).

(2) Tying a Hole. A hole is tied (also known as “halved”) when:

• The player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. complete the hole in the same number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes), or

• The player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. agree to treat the hole as tied (but this is allowed only after at least one of the players has made a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to begin the hole).

(3) Winning a Match. A player wins a match when:

• The player leads the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. by more holes than remain to be played,

• The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. concedes the match, or

• The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. is disqualified.

(4) Extending a Tied Match. If a match is tied after the final hole:

• The match is extended one hole at a time until there is a winner. See Rule 5.1 (an extended match is a continuation of the same roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., not a new roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.).

• The holes are played in the same order as in the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., unless the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. sets a different order.

But the Terms of the Competition may say that the match will end in a tie rather than be extended.

(5) When Result Is Final. The result of a match becomes final in the way stated by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. (which should be set out in the Terms of the Competition), such as:

• When the result is recorded on an official scoreboard or other identified place, or

• When the result is reported to a person identified by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course..

See Committee Procedures, Section 5A(7)  (recommendations on how the result of a match becomes final).

(1) Player May Concede Stroke, Hole or Match. A player may concede the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), a hole or the match:

• Conceding Next Stroke. This is allowed any time before the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) is made.

  • The opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. has then completed the hole with a score that includes that conceded strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), and the ball may be removed by anyone.

  • A concession made while the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. ball is still in motion after the previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) applies to the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), unless the ball is 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) (in which case the concession does not matter).

  • The player may concede the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) by deflecting or stopping the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. ball in motion only if that is done specifically to concede the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) and only when there is no reasonable chance the ball 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).

• Conceding a Hole. This is allowed any time before the hole is completed (see Rule 6.5), including before the players start the hole.

  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 for the purpose of shortening the match. If they do so knowing this is not allowed, they are disqualified.

• Conceding the Match. This is allowed any time before the result of the match is decided (see Rules 3.2a(3) and (4)), including before the players start the match.

(2) How Concessions Are Made.   A concession is made only when clearly communicated:

• This can be done either verbally or by an action that clearly shows the player’s intent to concede the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), the hole or the match (such as making a gesture).

• If the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. lifts their ball in breach of a Rule because of a reasonable misunderstanding that the player’s statement or action was a concession of the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), a hole or the match, 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 its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).

A concession is final and cannot be declined or withdrawn.

(1) Declaring Handicaps. The player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. should tell each other their handicaps before the match.

If a player declares a wrong handicap either before or during the match and does not correct the mistake 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):

• Declared Handicap Too High. The player is disqualified if this affects the number of strokes the player gives or gets. If it does not, there is no penalty.

• Declared Handicap Too Low. There is no penalty and the player must use the declared lower handicap to calculate the number of strokes the player gives or gets.

(2) Holes Where Handicap Strokes Applied.

• Handicap strokes are given by hole, and the lower net score wins the hole.

• If a tied match is extended, handicap strokes are given by hole in the same way as in the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. (unless the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. sets a different way of doing so).

Each player is responsible for knowing the holes where they give or get handicap strokes, based on the stroke index allocation set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. (which is usually found on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued)).

If the players fail to apply or mistakenly apply handicap strokes on a hole, the agreed result of the hole stands, unless the players correct that mistake in time (see Rule 3.2d(3)).

(1) Telling Opponent About Number of Strokes Taken. At any time during play of a hole or after the hole is completed, the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. may ask the player for the number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes) the player has taken on the hole.

This is to allow the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. to decide how to play the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) and the rest of the hole, or to confirm the result of the hole just completed.

When asked for the number of strokes taken, or when giving that information without being asked:

• The player must give the right number of strokes taken.

• A player who fails to respond to the opponent’sOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. request is treated as giving the wrong number of strokes taken.

The player gets thegeneral penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (loss of hole) if they give 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, unless the player corrects that mistake in time:

• Wrong Number of Strokes Given While Playing Hole. The player must give the right number of strokes taken before the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. makes another strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or takes a similar action (such as conceding the player’s next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or the hole).

• Wrong Number of Strokes Given After Hole Completed. The player must give the right number of strokes taken:

  • Before either player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to begin another hole or takes a similar action (such as conceding the next hole or the match), or

  • For the final hole of the match, before the result of the match is final (see Rule 3.2a(5)).

Exception – No Penalty If No Effect on Result of Hole: If the player gives the wrong number of strokes taken after a hole is completed but this does 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, there is no penalty.

(2) Telling Opponent About Penalty. When a player gets a penalty:

• The player must tell the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. about that penalty as soon as reasonably possible, taking into account 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. and other practical factors. It may not always be possible to tell the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. about the penalty 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).

• This requirement applies even if the player does not know about the penalty (because players are expected to recognize when they have breached a Rule).

If the player fails to do so and does not correct that mistake before the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. makes another strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or takes a similar action (such as conceding the player’s next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) or the hole), the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (loss of hole).

Exception – No Penalty When Opponent Knew of Player’s Penalty: If the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. knew that the player had a penalty, such as when seeing the player obviously take penalty relief, the player gets no penalty for failing to tell the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. about it.

(3) Knowing Match Score. The players are expected to know the match score – that is, whether one of them leads by a certain number of holes (“holes up” in the match) or the match is tied (also known as “all square”).

If the players mistakenly agree on a wrong match score:

• They may correct the match score before either player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to begin another hole or, for the final hole, before the result of the match is final (see Rule 3.2a(5)).

• If not corrected in that time, that wrong match score becomes the actual match score.

Exception – When Player Requests Ruling in Time: If the player makes a timely request for a ruling (see Rule 20.1b), and it is found that the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. either (1) gave the wrong number of strokes taken or (2) failed to tell the player about a penalty, the wrong match score must be corrected.

(4) Protecting Own Rights and Interests. The players in a match should protect their own rights and interests under the Rules:

• If the player knows or believes that the 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, the player may choose whether or not to act on the breach.

• But if the player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.  agree not to apply the Rules or a penalty they know applies, and either of those players has started the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., they are both disqualified under Rule 1.3b.

• If the player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. disagree whether one of them has breached a Rule, either player may protect their rights by asking for a ruling under Rule 20.1b.

If a refereeReferee: An official named by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules.(...Continued) is assigned to one match for the entire roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., the refereeRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. is responsible for acting on any breach of the Rules that they see or are told about (see Rule 20.1b(1)).

(1) Marker’s Responsibility: Entering and Certifying Hole Scores on Scorecard. After each hole during the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., 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) should confirm with the player the number of strokes on that hole (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made and penalty strokes) and enter that gross score on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).

When the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. has ended:

• 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) must certify the hole scores on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).

• If the player had more than one 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), each 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 certify the scores for those holes where they were 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), but if one of the markersMarker: 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) saw the player play all of the holes, that 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) may certify the scores for all the holes.

  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) may refuse to certify a player’s hole score 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) believes is wrong. In such a case, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. will need to consider the available evidence and make a decision on the player’s score on the hole. 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) still refuses to certify the player’s score, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may certify the hole score or accept certification from someone else who saw the player’s actions on the hole in question.

  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), who is a player, knowingly certifies a wrong score for a hole, 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) should be disqualified under Rule 1.2a.

(2) Player’s Responsibility: Certifying Hole Scores and Returning Scorecard. During the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., the player should keep track of their scores for each hole.

When the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. has ended, the player:

• Should carefully check the hole scores entered by 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) and raise any issues with the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course.,

• Must make sure 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) certifies the hole scores on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued),

• Must not change a hole score entered by 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) except with the marker’sMarker: 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) agreement or the Committee’sCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. approval (but neither the player nor 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) is required to make any extra certification of the changed score), and

• Must certify the hole scores on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) and promptly return it to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., after which the player must not change the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).

If the player breaches any of these requirements in Rule 3.3b, the player is disqualified.

Exception – No Penalty When Breach Due to Marker Failing to Carry Out Responsibilities: There is no penalty if the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. finds that the player’s breach of Rule 3.3b(2) was caused by the marker’sMarker: 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) failure to carry out their responsibilities (such as 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) leaving with the player’s scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) or without certifying the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued)), so long as this was beyond the player’s control.

See Committee Procedures, Section 5A(5)  (recommendations on how to define when a scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) has been returned).  See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule L-1 (reducing penalty for returning a scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) without hole scores being certified).

(3) Wrong Score for a 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 wrong score for any hole:

• Returned Score Higher Than Actual Score. The higher returned score for the hole stands.

• Returned Score Lower Than Actual Score or No Score Returned. The player is disqualified.

Exception – Failure to Include Unknown Penalty: If one or more of the player’s hole scores are lower than the actual scores because they excluded one or more penalty strokes that the player did not know about before returning the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued):

• The player is not disqualified.

• Instead, if the mistake is found before the close of the competition, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. will revise the player’s score for that hole or holes by adding the penalty stroke(s) that should have been included in the score for that hole or holes under the Rules.

This exception does not apply:

• When the excluded penalty is disqualification, or

• When the player was told that a penalty might apply or was uncertain whether a penalty applied and did not raise this with the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. before returning the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued).

(4) Player Not Responsible for Showing Handicap on Scorecard or Adding Up Scores.  There is no requirement for a player’s handicap to be shown on the scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) or for players to add up their own scores. If the player returns a scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.(...Continued) on which they have made a mistake in showing or applying a handicap, or on which they have made a mistake in adding up the scores, there is no penalty.

Once the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. receives the scorecard from the player at the end of their round, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. is responsible for:

• Adding up the player’s scores, and 

• Calculating the player’s handicap strokes for the competition and using it to calculate the player’s net score.

See Committee Procedures, Section 8; Model Local Rule L-2 (making player responsible for handicap on scorecard).