ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
The game of golf is played in match play or stroke play formats. Tonight, this session will be about match play, the greatest game
ever played. When you leave, at a minimum, you will know the difference between foursomes, four-ball and best ball.
We know how many clubs we can carry, what parameters our balls must be so that we can play them and who the players are.
Some of us know that we can practice on the course prior to the match, the day of the competition and any other time between.
We know that we can take advice from our partner whilst we are participating in a game of foursomes or four-ball. We had best
not seek advice from our opponents or we may lose that hole.
We can at any time during the game ask our opponents what the status of the match is and they have to provide us with
information as to strokes that they have taken. We can’t refuse to tell our opponent.
Match play games are usually net events, where the winner of the game is determined by how many holes we win. When we start
the game, the order of play from the teeing ground is pre-determined based on what our course handicaps are. After that, it is
based on who wins the hole.
Once we have teed off, are in the fairway playing our ball, we know that if we have issues, we must make a claim at the time of the
incident. Claims made after the fact may not be acted upon by the Committee. There are no two-ball local rules for the greatest
game ever played.
It is also good to know that we cannot agree to the outcome of a hole before we have teed off from the teeing ground. We can
concede the match prior to the start of the match, concede a hole or concede our opponents next stroke. Once conceded, you
can’t take it back. It is also good to know what to do if we can’t agree on a claim.
Now, it is time to review some important rules and decisions that may affect your match. There are hundreds of pages to the
rule book so please bear in mind that this is not all inclusive. These are just some good ones to know a little about.
Information that should be true:
o 9 – 1: Incorrect Information on Rules
o 9 – 2: Match Play
o 9 – 2/3.5: Player Refuses to Tell Opponent How Many Strokes He Has Taken
Rules about conceding, claims:
o 1 – 3/2: Agreement to Concede Short Putts
o 2 - 4: Concession Of Match, Hole Or Next Stroke
o 2 – 1/1: Players Unable to Resolve Rules Problem Agree to Consider Hole Halved
About my partner:
o 10 – 1a/2: Determination of Honor at Hole Following Claim
o 10 - 1a/3: Players Agree Not to Tee Off in Prescribed Order to Save Time
o 10 – 1c: Playing Out of Turn
o 30 – 2/1: Player Plays Out of Turn from Tee in Three-Ball Match [NOTE: read for content, meaning, be careful and try not
to play out of turn]
o 30 /2.5: Player Touches Putting Green in Pointing Out Line for Putting for Partner and Incidentally Touches Own Line of
Putt
o 30 – 3f4: Wrong Information Given by Player Out of Contention in Four-Ball Match
o 30 – 3f/6: Player Plays Away From Hole to Assist Partner
o 30 – 3f/10: Players Ball Lifted Without Authority by Opponent in a Four-ball Match
o 30/5: In Four-Ball Match Player with Putt for Half Picks Up in Error at Suggestion of Opponent Based on Misunderstanding
For foursomes:
o 29 - 1/3: Who Plays Provisional Ball in Foursome
o 29-1/6: Player Misses Ball Accidentally When Making Stroke
o 29-1/7: Player Misses Ball Purposely So Partner Will Play Ball Over Water
o 29/2: Mixed Foursomes in Which Different Tees Used by Men and Women; Tee Shot Out of Bounds
ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
PREPARED BY S & S TRIBE AUG 201 V1
ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
Blue highlights indicate USGA Decisions on the Rules of Golf
Fuschia highlights indicate USGA Rules of Golf
Yellow highlights are for things that may be of benefit
Hyphens [-] mean the info is from a rule of golf
Slash [/] mean the info is from a decision on the rules of golf
7-1 Before Or Between Rounds
a. Match Play - On any day of a match-play competition, a player may practice on the
competition course before a round.
9-2/3.5 Player Refuses to Tell Opponent How Many Strokes He Has Taken
Q. In a match, B asks A how many strokes he (A) has taken during play of a hole or on a hole just
completed. A refuses to give B the information requested. What is the ruling?
A. A incurs the general penalty of loss of hole (Rule 2-6) for failing to act in accordance with the
requirements of Rule 9-2a. The penalty applies to the hole being played or, if the hole has been
completed, the penalty applies to the last hole played.
2-5 Doubt As To Procedure; Disputes And Claims
In match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players, a player may make a claim. If no
duly authorized representative of the Committee is available within a reasonable time, the players
must continue the match without delay. The Committee may consider a claim only if it has been
made in a timely manner and if the player making the claim has notified his opponent at the time (i)
that he is making a claim or wants a ruling and (ii) of the facts upon which the claim or ruling is to be
based.
A claim is considered to have been made in a timely manner if, upon discovery of circumstances
giving rise to a claim, the player makes his claim (i) before any player in the match plays from the
next teeing ground, or (ii) in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match
leave the putting green, or (iii) when the circumstances giving rise to the claim are discovered after
all the players in the match have left the putting green of the final hole, before the result of the
match has been officially announced.
A claim relating to a prior hole in the match may only be considered by the Committee if it is based
on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim and he had been given wrong
information (Rules 6-2a or 9) by an opponent. Such a claim must be made in a timely manner.
Once the result of the match has been officially announced, a claim may not be considered by
the Committee, unless it is satisfied that (i) the claim is based on facts which were previously
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
2-5 Doubt As To Procedure; Disputes And Claims - continued
unknown to the player making the claim at the time the result was officially announced, (ii) the
player making the claim had been given wrong information by an opponent and (iii) the opponent
knew he was giving wrong information. There is no time limit on considering such a claim.
Note 1: A player may disregard a breach of the Rules by his opponent provided there is no agreement by the sides to
waive a Rule (Rule 1-3).
Note 2: In match play, if a player is doubtful of his rights or the correct procedure, he may not complete the play of the
hole with two balls.
2-6 General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in match play is loss of hole except when otherwise
provided.
33-8/3 Local Rule Allowing Play of Second Ball in Match Play
Q. May a Committee make a Local Rule allowing play of a second ball in match play when a player is
in doubt as to his rights?
A. No. Rule 3-3 specifically restricts the play of a second ball to stroke play.
Related Decision: 3-3/9 Second Ball Played in Match Play
2-4 Concession Of Match, Hole Or Next Stroke
A player may concede a match at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that match.
A player may concede a hole at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that hole.
A player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time, provided the opponent’s ball is at
rest. The opponent is considered to have holed out with his next stroke, and the ball may be
removed by either side.
A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.
(Ball overhanging hole – see Rule 16-2)
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
9/1 Incorrect Information on Rules
A player incurs no penalty for giving incorrect information on the Rules (see Definition of "Rules");
this is not wrong information as that term is used in Rule 9. It is up to each player to know the Rules
(Rule 6-1). However, if it is established that a player has knowingly given incorrect information on
the Rules, the Committee would be justified in imposing a penalty of disqualification under Rule 337.
9-2 Match Play
a. Information as to Strokes Taken - An opponent is entitled to ascertain from the player, during the
play of a hole, the number of strokes he has taken and, after play of a hole, the number of
strokes taken on the hole just completed.
b. Wrong Information - A player must not give wrong information to his opponent. If a player gives
wrong information, he loses the hole.
A player is deemed to have given wrong information if he:
(i) fails to inform his opponent as soon as practicable that he has incurred a penalty, unless (a) he
was obviously proceeding under a Rule involving a penalty and this was observed by his opponent,
or (b) he corrects the mistake before his opponent makes his next stroke; or
(ii) gives incorrect information during play of a hole regarding the number of strokes taken and
does not correct the mistake before his opponent makes his next stroke; or
(iii) gives incorrect information regarding the number of strokes taken to complete a hole and this
affects the opponent’s understanding of the result of the hole, unless he corrects the mistake
before any player makes a stroke from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of
the match, before all players leave the putting green.
A player has given wrong information even if it is due to the failure to include a penalty that he did
not know he had incurred. It is the player’s responsibility to know the Rules.
1-3/2 Agreement to Concede Short Putts
Q. In a match, the two players agree in advance to concede all putts within a specified length. Is
this agreement contrary to Rule 1-3?
A. In order to be in breach of Rule 1-3 for agreeing to waive a Rule, players must be aware that
they are doing so. Therefore, the answer depends on whether the players knew that Rule 2-4 only
allows the concession of the "next stroke" and does not permit them to agree in advance to concede
putts within a specified length.
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
If the players were unaware that the Rules prevented them from agreeing to concede putts in this
manner, there is no penalty under Rule 1-3.
If the players were aware that they were excluding the operation of a Rule then they are disqualified
under Rule 1-3. (Revised)
2-1/1 Players Unable to Resolve Rules Problem Agree to Consider Hole Halved
Q. In a match, A putted to within three inches of the hole and then knocked his ball away. B, the
opponent, objected. He stated that he wanted A's ball left by the hole. A and B were uncertain how
to resolve the matter, so they agreed to consider the hole halved. Should A and B be disqualified
under Rule 1-3?
A. No. There was no agreement to waive the Rules. Rather, the players were ignorant of the Rules.
Related Decisions:
1-3/5 Players Unaware Penalty Incurred
2-5/8.5 Player and Opponent Agree on Incorrect Procedure; Whether Valid Claim May Be Made After Procedure
Followed
10-1a/2 Determination of Honor at Hole Following Claim
Q. A dispute arises in a match between A and B, and A lodges a claim. A and B agree to continue
the match and get a ruling later. If the claim could have an effect on determining who has the honor
at the next hole, how is the honor decided?
A. In equity (Rule 1-4), the honor is decided by lot.
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
10-1a/3 Players Agree Not to Tee Off in Prescribed Order to Save Time
Q. In match play, A wins the 4th hole. On his way to the 5th tee, he returns to retrieve a club left at
the 4th green and suggests that his opponent B play first to save time, which B does. In view of
Rule 10-1a, have the players agreed to waive the Rules in breach of Rule 1-3?
A. No. When starting play of a hole, a player who has the honor may invite his opponent to play first
to save time, but if the opponent does so, the player has waived his right under Rule 10-1c to recall
the stroke played out of turn. The opponent is under no obligation to accept the offer to tee off first.
(Revised - Formerly 1-3/1)
Related Decision: 10-2c/2 Competitors in Stroke Play Agree to Play Out of Turn But Not for Purpose of Giving One of
Them an Advantage
Other Decisions related to Rule 10-1a: 11-4a/1 Player With Honor Plays from Outside Teeing Ground; Order of Play if
Opponent Requires Player to Cancel Stroke and 30/3 Determination of Honor in Four-Ball Match in Which Points
Awarded for Both Better-Ball and Aggregate Scores
10-1c Playing Out of Turn
If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no penalty, but
the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke so made and, in correct
order, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5).
30-2/1 Player Plays Out of Turn from Tee in Three-Ball Match
The following are the rulings in a three-ball match if A, B and C are scheduled to play in that order
from the teeing ground and one of them inadvertently plays out of turn:
(a) If C plays first both A and B may require C to replay the stroke in correct order. If A and B
disagree on whether C should be required to replay, C must complete the hole with two balls. He
must replay his stroke in his match with the opponent who requires him to replay and continue with
his original ball in his match with the other opponent.
(b) If B plays first, A may require him to replay his stroke for their match, but C may not. As B did
not play out of turn with respect to C, B must continue play of his original ball in his match with C. If
B is required by A to replay his stroke, B must play the hole with a different ball in his match with A.
(c) If C plays after A but before B, only B may require C to replay his stroke for their match. As C did
not play out of turn with respect to A, C must continue play of his original ball in his match with A. If
C is required by B to replay his stroke, C must play the hole with a different ball in his match with B.
(Revised)
Related Decision: 2-4/10 Player Concedes Hole After Which Opponent Plays Wrong Ball
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
30/2.5 Player Touches Putting Green in Pointing Out Line for Putting for Partner and
Incidentally Touches Own Line of Putt
Q. In a four-ball match, A and B are partners and their balls lie on the putting green. A touches the
green in pointing out a line for putting for B. Incidentally, the spot which A touches is on his (A's) line
of putt. B is disqualified for the hole under Rule 8-2b. Is A disqualified for the hole under Rule 161a?
A. No.
30-3f/4 Wrong Information Given by Player Out of Contention in Four-Ball Match
Q. A and B are playing C and D in a four-ball match, and the situation is as follows:
A's ball is on the green; he lies 3.
B's ball is in a bunker; he lies 5 and it is his turn to play.
C's ball is on the green; he lies 4.
D has picked up.
B causes his ball in the bunker to move and incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a. B does not
inform anyone that he has incurred a penalty stroke. B then replaces his ball and plays onto the
green.
A then holes out for a 5 and C does likewise.
B is disqualified for the hole under Rule 9-2 for failing to inform C or D, before C played his next
stroke, that he (B) had incurred a penalty stroke. Is A also disqualified for the hole under Rule 303f on the ground that B's failure to inform C or D of his (B's) penalty stroke adversely affected C's
play?
A. No. B was clearly out of contention, and the result of the hole was dependent upon A and C
alone. Accordingly, B's failure to inform C or D about the penalty could not have adversely affected
C's play. (Revised)
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
30-3f/6 Player Plays Away from Hole to Assist Partner
Q. In a four-ball competition, a player purposely putts away from the hole to a position slightly
farther from the hole than the spot where his partner's ball lies and on the same line to the hole as
his partner's ball. The player then putts towards the hole, and the roll of his ball is helpful to his
partner in determining how much his putt will break, etc. Is such procedure contrary to the Rules?
A. Such procedure is contrary to the spirit of the game. In match play, in equity (Rule 1-4), the
player should be disqualified for the hole and, since his action assisted his partner's play, the partner
should incur the same penalty (Rule30-3f).
In stroke play, the player should incur a penalty of two strokes and, under Rule 31-8, the partner
should incur the same penalty.
Related Decisions:
2-4/6 Putting Out After Concession of Stroke
30-3c/1 Player Plays Partner's Ball
30-3f/10 Player's Ball Lifted Without Authority by Opponent in a Four-Ball Match
Q. In a four-ball match, an opponent lifted a player's ball on the putting green after marking its
position. He did this without the authority of the player. Is the opponent subject to penalty?
A. Yes. Rule 20-1 prohibits such action. Accordingly, the opponent incurs a penalty stroke under
Rule 18-3b, but the penalty does not apply to his partner - see Rule 30-3f. The player must replace
his ball.
Related Decisions:
20-1/2 Player's Ball Lifted by Opponent Without Authority
20-1/3 Ball Marked and Lifted by Opponent Without Player's Authority; Player Lifts Ball-Marker, Claims Hole and
Opponent Disputes Claim
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
30/5 In Four-Ball Match Player with Putt for Half Picks Up in Error at Suggestion of
Opponent Based on Misunderstanding
Q. A and B are playing C and D in a four-ball match. A has holed out in 4, the better ball for his side.
When C holes out, A remarks: "Nice 4, C. D, you may pick your ball up." C does not correct A by
stating he had a 5 and allows his partner D to pick his ball up although D still has a putt for a half.
Upon leaving the putting green, it occurs to C that he has allowed D to pick up when D had an
opportunity to halve the hole. In the circumstances, could A's remark be construed as a concession of
D's putt?
A. No. A's suggestion that D might pick up D's ball was based on A's mistaken impression that C had
scored a 4 and that therefore D's putt could have no bearing on the result. C should have corrected
A's mistaken impression before D picked up his ball. Since C failed to do so and D did not finish the
hole, C's score of 5 for the hole was C-D's better-ball score. Thus, C and D lost the hole.
Related Decisions:
2-4/4 Whether Picking Up Opponent's Ball Is Concession of Next Stroke
2-4/5 Whether Lifting Opponent's Ball-Marker Is Concession of Next Stroke
2-4/17 Player in Erroneous Belief Match Is Over Shakes Opponent's Hand and Picks Up Opponent's Ball
29-1/3 Who Plays Provisional Ball in Foursome
Q. A and B are partners in a foursome. A drives and there is doubt whether the ball is out of bounds.
They decide to play a provisional ball. Who plays it?
A. The provisional ball is played by B.
29-1/6 Player Misses Ball Accidentally When Making Stroke
Q. In a foursome event, A and B are partners. A attempts to strike the ball and misses. Whose turn
is it to play?
A. An accidental miss is a stroke - see Definition of "Stroke." It is B's turn to play.
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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ALL ABOUT MATCH PLAY RULES
29-1/7 Player Misses Ball Purposely So Partner Would Play Ball Over Water
Q. A and B, partners in a foursome competition, were faced with a difficult shot over a pond. A, a
poor player, swung but purposely missed the ball. B, an expert player, then played the ball to the
green. Is this permissible?
A. No. Since A had no intention of moving the ball, he did not play a stroke - see Definition of
"Stroke" - and it remained his turn to play. When B played instead of A, A and B incurred a penalty
of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play (Rules 29-2 and 29-3). In stroke play, A
must play a ball at the spot from which B played. If A did not do so before the side played from the
next teeing ground, A and B were disqualified (Rule 29-3).
29/2 Mixed Foursome in Which Different Tees Used by Men and Women; Tee Shot Out of
Bounds
Q. In a mixed foursome in which the men play from the back tees and the women play from the
forward tees, a man hits a tee shot out of bounds. Does his partner play the next stroke from the
back tee or the forward tee?
A. The partner must play from the back tee.
Above are the associated rules or decisions that are in the main handout. Source for this document http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/ accessed on August 10, 2013.
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