Purpose of Rule: Rule 5 covers how to play a round – such as where and when a player may practise on the course before or during a round, when a round starts and ends and what happens when play has to stop or resume. Players are expected to:
Start each round on time, and
Play continuously and at a prompt pace during each hole until the round is completed.
When it is a player’s turn to play, it is recommended that they make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds, and usually more quickly than that.
A “roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ” is 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course..
When a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends in a tie and play will go on until there is a winner:
Tied Match Extended One Hole at a Time. This is the 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..
Play-off in Stroke Play. This is a new roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee..
A player is playing their roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. from when it starts until it ends (see Rule 5.3), except while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a.
When a Rule refers to actions taken “during a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.,” that does not include while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a unless the Rule says otherwise.
For purposes of this Rule:
“Practising on the course” means playing a ball, or testing the surface of the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) of any hole by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface, and
The limitations on practise on the course before or between roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. apply only to the player, not to the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:(...Continued).
A player may practise on the course before a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. or between roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. of a 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) competition.
On the day of a stroke-playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued) competition:
A player must not practise on the course before a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., except that the player may
Practise putting or chipping on or near their first teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued)
Practise on any practice area.
Practise on or near the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:(...Continued) of the hole just completed even if they will play that hole again on the same day (see Rule 5.5b).
A player may practise on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) after completing play of their final roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. for that day.
If a player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in breach of this Rule, they get the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. applied to their first hole. If they make an additional strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in breach of this Rule, they are disqualified
A player’s roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. starts when the player makes a strokeRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. to start their first hole (see Rule 6.1a).
The player must start at (and not before) their starting time:
This means that the player must be ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course..
A starting time set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. is treated as an exact time (for example, 9 am means 9:00:00 am, not any time until 9:01 am).
If the starting time is delayed for any reason (such as weather, slow play of other groups or the need for a ruling by a refereeReferee: An official named by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules.(...Continued)), there is no breach of this Rule if the player is present and ready to play when the player’s group is able to start.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.3a: Disqualification, except in these three cases:
Exception 1 – Player Arrives at Starting Point, Ready to Play, No More Than Five Minutes Late: The player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. applied to their first hole.
Exception 2 – Player Starts No More Than Five Minutes Early: The player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. applied to their first hole.
Exception 3 – Committee Decides that Exceptional Circumstances Prevented Player from Starting on Time: There is no breach of this Rule and no penalty.
A player’s roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. ends:
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), when the result of the match is decided under Rule 3.2a(3) or (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 player holes 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) at the final hole (including correction of a mistake, such as under Rule 6.1 or 14.7b).
During a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., the player and opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. must play each hole in the same group.
During a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., the player must remain in the group set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., unless the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. approves a change either before or after it happens.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.4: Disqualification.
While playing a hole, a player must not make a practice strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) at any ball on or off the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued).
These are not practice strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued):
A practice swing made with no intent to strike a ball.
Hitting a ball back to a practice area or to another player, when done solely as a courtesy.
StrokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) made by a player in playing out a hole whose result has been decided.
After completing play of a hole, but before making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to begin another hole, a player must not make a practice strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued).
Exception – Where Player Allowed to Practise Putting or Chipping: The player may practise putting or chipping on or near:
The putting green of the hole just completed and any practice green (see Rule 13.1e), and
The teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued) of the next hole.
But such practice strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) must not be made from a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.(...Continued) and must not unreasonably delay play (see Rule 5.6a).
While play is suspended or otherwise stopped under Rule 5.7a, a player must not make a practice strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) except:
As allowed in Rule 5.5b,
Anywhere outside the course, and
Anywhere on the course the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. allows.
If a match is stopped by agreement of the players and will not be resumed on the same day, the players may practise on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) without restriction before the match is resumed.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.5: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play..
If the breach happens between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.
A player must not unreasonably delay play, either when playing a hole or between two holes.
A player may be allowed a short delay for certain reasons, such as:
When the player seeks help from a refereeReferee: An official named by the Committee to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules.(...Continued) or the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course.,
When the player becomes injured or ill, or
When there is another good reason.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.6a:
Penalty for first breach: One penalty stroke.
Penalty for second breach: General Penalty.
Penalty for third breach: Disqualification.
If the player unreasonably delays play between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.
A roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. of golf is meant to be played at a prompt pace.
Each player should recognize that their pace of play is likely to affect how long it will take other players to play their roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., including both those in the player’s own group and those in following groups.
Players are encouraged to allow faster groups to play through.
Prepare for and make each strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued),
Move from one place to another between strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), and
Move to the next teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole they are playing.(...Continued) after completing a hole.
A player should prepare in advance for the next strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) and be ready to play when it is their turn.
When it is the player’s turn to play:
It is recommended that the player make the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) in no more than 40 seconds after they are (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction, and
The player should usually be able to play more quickly than that and is encouraged to do so.
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 players may agree that one of them will play out of turn to save time (see Rule 6.4a Exception).
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition.(...Continued), players may play “ready golf” in a safe and responsible way (see Rule 6.4b(2)).
This Policy may set a maximum time to complete a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., a hole or series of holes and a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued), and it may set penalties for not following the Policy.
During a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee., a player must not stop play except in these cases:
Suspension by Committee. All players must stop play if the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. suspends play (see Rule 5.7b).
Stopping Play by Agreement in Match Play. Players in a match may agree to stop play for any reason, except if doing so delays the competition. If they agree to stop play and then one player wants to resume play, the agreement has ended and the other player must resume play.
Individual Player Stopping Play Because of Lightning. A player may stop play if they reasonably believe there is danger from lightning, but must report to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. as soon as possible.
Leaving the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:(...Continued) is not, by itself, stopping play. A player’s delay of play is covered by Rule 5.6a, not by this Rule.
If a player stops play for any reason not allowed under this Rule or fails to report to the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. when required to do so, the player is disqualified.
There are two types of CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. suspensions of play, each with different requirements for when players must stop play.
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should use a distinct method of telling players about an immediate suspension.
Between Two Holes. If all players in the group are between two holes, they must stop play and must not make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) to begin another hole until the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. resumes play.
While Playing Hole. If any player in the group has started a hole, the players may choose either to stop play or to play out the hole.
The players are allowed a brief amount of time (which normally should be no more than two minutes) to decide whether to stop play or play out the hole.
If the players continue play of the hole, they may go on to complete the hole or may stop before completing the hole.
Once the players complete the hole or stop before completing the hole, they must not make another strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.(...Continued) until the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. resumes play under Rule 5.7c.
If the players do not agree on what to do:
Match Play. If the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. stops play, the player must also stop play and both players must not play again until the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. resumes play. If the player does not stop play, the player gets the general penaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. (loss of hole).
Stroke Play. Any player in the group may choose to stop play or go on to continue the hole, no matter what the others in the group decide to do, except that the player may continue play only if the player’s 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) stays to keep the player’s score.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.7b: Disqualification.
Exception – No Penalty If Committee Decides That Failure to Stop Was Justified: There is no breach of this Rule and no penalty if the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. decides that circumstances justified the player’s failure to stop play when required to do so.
If a player resumes play from a different spot than where they stopped play, see Rules 6.1b and 14.7.
At the time set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. for play to resume, and
The player must resume play at (and not before) that time.
If the ability to resume play is delayed for any reason (such as when players in the group ahead need to play first and move out of the way), there is no breach of this Rule if the player is present and ready to play when the player’s group is able to resume play.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.7c(2): Disqualification.
Exceptions to Disqualification for Failure to Resume on Time: Exceptions 1, 2 and 3 in Rule 5.3a and the Exception to Rule 5.7b apply here as well.
Either before or when play is resumed:
When Player’s Ball Was Lifted When Play Stopped. The player must replaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the original ball or another ball on the original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
When Player’s Ball Was Not Lifted When Play Stopped. The player may play the ball as it lies, or may markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) the spot of the ball, lift the ball (see Rule 14.1) and 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) that ball or another ball on the original spot (see Rule 14.2).
In either case:
If the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) of the ball is altered as a result of lifting the ball, the player must replaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) that ball or another ball as required under Rule 14.2d.
If the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) of the ball is altered after the ball was lifted and before a ball is 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), Rule 14.2d does not apply:
The original ball or another ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) on the original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
But If the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it.(...Continued) or other 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. were worsened during this time, Rule 8.1d applies.
ReplaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the original ball or another ball on the original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), or
Place a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment.(...Continued) to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:(...Continued) that original spot, and then replaceReplace: To place a ball by setting it down by hand and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play.(...Continued) the original ball or another ball on that spot (see Rules 14.1 and 14.2).
If the player’s 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. were worsened while play was stopped, see Rule 8.1d.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong PlaceWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play their ball under the Rules.(...Continued) in Breach of Rule 5.7d: General PenaltyGeneral Penalty: Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. Under Rule 14.7a.