Member Newsletter - Hampton Hall Club

Golf News 11
Principles of the Rules of Golf
By: Dick Titus, MGS Golf Handicap Chairman
We are now in the middle of the match play season. Match play rules are sometimes a little different than
those used in stroke play matches. This month we will look at three scenarios that might arise in match play.
The scenarios examined illustrate that an understanding of the rules is essential.
SCENARIO 1: During a competitive round, Paul arrives for his tee-time five minutes late, within the time limit
allowed by the local rules committee to prevent disqualification, but incurring loss of the first hole.
His friend and fellow competitor in the match, Chip, quietly tells Paul he will not assess any penalty, as the
match only affects those two players.
Is there anything wrong with this?
Answer: Rule 6-3 requires that a player must start at the time established or be disqualified.
Local rules can modify the rule somewhat, as in this situation. However, if Chip and Paul proceed by not
assessing the penalty to Paul, they would both be disqualified for violation of Rule 1-3, for agreeing to waive a
rule.
SCENARIO 2: Prior to his big afternoon match with Bill, Tom plays a practice round on the course. Has he
violated any rules?
Answer: If Tom were involved in a stroke-play competition, he would be disqualified; however, Rule 7-1(a)
states that on any day of a match-play competition, a player may practice on the competition course before a
round.
So, Tom has acted within the rules.
SCENARIO 3: During a competition, George asked Tom how many strokes he took on the previous hole.
Tom declined to reveal to George his score on the hole. Was George entitled to know how many strokes
Tom had taken?
Answer: Rule 9-2 states that an opponent in a match play event is entitled to know the number of strokes
taken by the other player during the play of a hole and after. The number of strokes taken on the hole must
include any penalty stokes assessed.
Tom incurs the general penalty of loss of hole (Rule 2-6) for failing to act in accordance with Rule 9-2a.
What happens if Tom gives George wrong information because he didn’t know he had incurred a penalty?
Tom still incurs the loss of hole penalty because he gave incorrect information. It is the player’s responsibility
to know the rules.