Simpler Rules: Rule 6

Rule 6: The Player

6-1. Rules Knowledge and Application

The player and his caddie are responsible for knowing the Rules. During a stipulated round, for any breach of a Rule by his caddie, the player incurs the applicable penalty.

 

6-2. Handicap

a. Match Play

Before starting a match in a handicap competition, the players should determine from one another their respective handicaps. If a player begins a match having declared a handicap higher than that to which he is entitled and this affects the number of strokes given or received, he is disqualified; otherwise, the player must play off the declared handicap.

 

b. Stroke Play

In any round of a handicap competition, the competitor must ensure that his handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned to the Committee. If no handicap is recorded on his score card before it is returned (Rule 6-6b), or if the recorded handicap is higher than that to which he is entitled and this affects the number of strokes received, he is disqualified from the handicap competition; otherwise, the score stands.

 

6-3. Time of Starting and Groups

a. Time of Starting

The player must start at the time established by the Committee.

 

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-3a:

If the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Otherwise, the penalty for breach of this Rule is disqualification from the competition.

 

Par and Stableford competitions – see Rule 33-17.                  

 

* If the Committee determines that exceptional circumstances have prevented a player from starting on time, there is no penalty for breach of this rule.

 

b. Groups

In stroke play, the competitor must remain throughout the round in the group arranged by the Committee, unless the Committee authorises or ratifies a change.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-3b:

Disqualification from the competition.

(Better-ball play – see Rules 30-3a and 31-2)

 

6-4. Caddie

The player may be assisted by a caddie, but he is limited to only one caddie at any one time.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-4 or a COMPETITION CONDITION (Rule 33-1.3):

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions – see Rule 33-17.

 

Note: In all forms of the game a player having more than one caddie in breach of this Rule must immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred ensure that he has no more than one caddie at any one time during the remainder of the stipulated round. Otherwise, the player is disqualified from the competition.

 

6-5. Ball

The responsibility for playing the correct ball rests with the player. Each player should place an identification mark on his ball.

 

6-6. Scoring in Stroke Play

a. Recording Scores

After each hole the marker should check the score with the competitor and record it. It is the responsibility of the marker to ensure that he has signed the card prior to handing it to the competitor at the completion of the round. If more than one marker records the scores, each must sign for the part for which he is responsible.

 

b. Signing and Returning Score Card

After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with his marker and/or the Committee. He should ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, ensure that he has signed the score card and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.

 

If a player returns a card not signed by himself and his marker(s) he is disqualified from the competition.

 

c. Alteration of Score Card

No alteration may be made on a score card after the competitor has returned it to the Committee. There is no requirement that alterations made prior to handing the card to the Committee be initialled.

 

d. Wrong Score for Hole

The competitor is responsible for the correctness of the score recorded for each hole on his score card. If he returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken, he is disqualified from the competition. If he returns a score for any hole higher than actually taken, the score as returned stands.
 

Note 1: The Committee is responsible for the addition of scores, and application of the handicap recorded on the score card to determine net score, Stableford points and par result – see also Rule 33-8.
 

Note 2:  In better-ball stroke play, see also Rules 31-3 and 31-7a.

6-7. Undue Delay; Slow Play

The player must play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines that the Committee may establish. Between completion of a hole and playing from the next tee, the player must not unduly delay play.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-7:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

 

For breaches of a competition condition modifying this penalty, see Rule 33-1.4.

 

6-8. Discontinuance of Play; Resumption of Play

a. When permitted

The player must not discontinue play unless:

 

(i)    the Committee has suspended play;

 

(ii)   he believes there is danger from lightning;

 

(iii)  he is seeking a decision from the Committee on a doubtful or disputed point (see Rules 2-5 and 34-3); or

 

(iv)  there is some other satisfactory reason such as sudden illness.

 

Bad weather is not of itself a satisfactory reason for discontinuing play.

 

If the player discontinues play without specific permission from the Committee, he must report to the Committee as soon as practicable. If he does so and the Committee considers his reason satisfactory, there is no penalty. Otherwise, the player is disqualified from the competition.

 

However, players discontinuing match play by agreement will not be disqualified unless their action delays the competition.

 

b. Procedure When Play Suspended by Committee

When play is suspended by the Committee, if the players in a match or group are between two holes, they must cease play. If they have started play of a hole, they may discontinue play immediately, continue play of the hole until its completion or discontinue play before completing the hole. In any case, play must be discontinued after the hole is completed.

 

Players may not resume play until the Committee orders its resumption, but, once so ordered, must resume play without delay.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-8b or a COMPETITION CONDITION (Rule 33-1.5):

Disqualification from the competition.

 

c. Lifting Ball When Play Discontinued

When a player discontinues play of a hole under Rule 6-8a, he must mark and lift his ball.

 

If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

 

d. Procedure When Play Resumed

Play must be resumed from where it was discontinued, even if resumption occurs on a subsequent day. The player must, either before or when play is resumed, proceed as follows:

 

(i)    place the original ball or a substituted ball on the spot from which the original ball was lifted; or

 

(ii)   if the player’s ball-marker is moved (including by wind or water) while play is discontinued, a ball or ball-marker must be placed as near as possible to the spot, or estimated spot, from which the original ball or ball-marker was moved.

 

Note: If the spot where the ball is to be placed cannot be determined, it must be estimated and the ball placed on the estimated spot. The provisions of Rule 20-3c do not apply.

 

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 6-8d:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

 

*If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 6-8d, there is no additional penalty under Rule 6-8c.

 

 

Simpler Rules: Rule 5

Rule 5: The Ball

5-1. Conforming Ball

Any ball used by a player must conform with the specifications adopted by the Committee. If a player is in doubt as to the conformity of a ball he should consult the Committee.

5-2. Foreign Material
The ball the player plays must not have foreign material applied to it for the purpose of changing its playing characteristics.
 
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 5-1 or 5-2:
Disqualification from the competition.

5-3. Ball Unfit for Play

A ball is unfit for play if it is visibly cut, cracked or out of shape. A ball is not unfit for play solely because mud or other materials adhere to it, its surface is scratched or scraped or its paint is damaged or discoloured.

If a player has reason to believe his ball has become unfit for play during play of the hole being played, he may lift the ball, without penalty, to determine whether it is unfit.

Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play and mark the position of the ball. He may then lift and examine it, provided that he gives his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to examine the ball and observe the lifting and replacement. The ball must not be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.

If the player fails to comply with all or any part of this procedure, or if he lifts the ball without having reason to believe that it has become unfit for play during play of the hole being played, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

If it is determined that the ball has become unfit for play during play of the hole being played, the player may substitute another ball, placing it on the spot where the original ball lay. Otherwise, the original ball must be replaced. If a player substitutes a ball when not permitted and makes a stroke at the wrongly substituted ball, he incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 5-2, but there is no additional penalty under this Rule or Rule 15-2.

If a ball breaks into pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke is cancelled and the player must play a ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played (see Rule 20-5).

*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 5-3:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

*If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule 5-3, there is no additional penalty under this Rule.

Note 1: If the opponent, marker or fellow-competitor wishes to dispute a claim of unfitness, he must do so before the player plays another ball.

Note 2: If the original lie of a ball to be placed or replaced has been altered, see Rule 20-3b.


 

Simpler Rules: Rule 4 REVISED

As a result of feedback, both through this site and directly, I have revised statements relating to penalties, in this Rule.  The objective is to make statements applying penalties more readily understandable.

Further comments and suggestions for improvement are, of course, welcome.

ooOoo

 

Further revised 31/03/13
Further revised 05/04/13


Rule 4: Clubs

4-1. Conforming clubs; Wear and Alteration

Any club used by a player must conform with the specifications adopted by the Committee. If a player is in doubt as to the conformity of a club he should consult the Committee.

A club that conforms with these specifications when new is deemed to conform after wear through normal use.

Any part of a club that has been purposely altered is regarded as new and must, in its altered state, conform with the specifications.

Any club carried in breach of this Rule must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent, or his marker or a fellow-competitor immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and the facts must be reported to the Committee before the scorecard is returned. If a player does not comply with either of these requirements he is disqualified from the competition. 

PENALTY FOR MAKING STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1

Disqualification from the competition.

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1:

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

 

4-2. Playing Characteristics Changed and Foreign Material

a. Playing Characteristics Changed
During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means.

b. Foreign Material

Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of influencing the movement of the ball.

Any club carried in breach of this Rule must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent, or his marker or a fellow-competitor immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and the facts must be reported to the Committee before the scorecard is returned. If a player does not comply with either of these requirements he is disqualified from the competition.

 

PENALTY FOR MAKING STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF RULE 4-2
Disqualification from the competition.

 

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-2:
Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

4-3. Damaged Clubs: Repair and Replacement

a. Damage in Normal Course of Play
If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is altered or damaged in the normal course of play, he may:

(i)    use the club in its altered or damaged state for the remainder of the stipulated round; or

(ii)   without unduly delaying play, repair or restore it or have it repaired or restored; or  

(iii)  as an additional option available only if the club is substantially damaged and unfit for play replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club must not unduly delay play (see Rule 6-7). The replacement must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course; the penalty for breach of this provision is disqualification from the competition.

A club is damaged or unfit for play if the shaft is dented, bent or broken; the clubhead or adjustment mechanism is loose, detached or deformed; or grip is loose - a club is not unfit for play solely because the club’s lie or loft has been altered, or the clubhead is scratched.

 

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-3a(iii):

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

b. Damage Other Than in Normal Course of Play

If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is altered or damaged other than in the normal course of play rendering it non-conforming or changing its playing characteristics, the club must not subsequently be used or replaced during the round. If the club is used, the player is disqualified from the competition. 

c. Damage Prior to Round

A player may use a club damaged prior to a round, provided the club, in its damaged state, conforms with the Rules.

Damage to a club that occurred prior to a round may be repaired during the round, provided the playing characteristics are not changed and play is not unduly delayed (see Rule 6-7). 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3c:

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

 

4-4. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs

a. Selection and Addition of Clubs
A player must not commence a stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round, except that if he started with fewer than fourteen clubs, he may add any number, provided his total number does not exceed fourteen.

If a player should claim that he commenced the stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs through the actions (inadvertent or otherwise) of another person, other than his partner or either of their caddies, he must be able to demonstrate the circumstances to the satisfaction of the Committee. Should he be able to do that, the penalty attached to this Rule does not apply. 

The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play (see Rule 6-7) and the player must not add or borrow any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course or by assembling components carried by or for the player during the stipulated round. 

b. Partners May Share Clubs

Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number of clubs carried by the partners so sharing does not exceed fourteen. 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-4a or b, REGARDLESS OF NUMBER OF EXCESS CLUBS CARRIED:

Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17.

 

c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play
Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of Rule 4-4 must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. The player must not use the club or clubs for the remainder of the stipulated round, and the facts must be reported to the Committee before the scorecard is returned. If a player does not comply with any of these requirements he is disqualified from the competition.

Simpler Rules: Rule 4

Preamble

I stated in the introduction to ‘Simpler Rules’ that I would not run a commentary on the difference between existing rules and those proposed.

However, Rule 4 introduces issues which are both daunting and confusing to club players.

First:

Players are daunted by the sheer verbiage which the Rules contain and are thereby deterred from attempting to understand what is going on, even though in the vast majority of cases they would like to know.

For example the penalty statements for Rules 4-1 & 4-2 comprises 215 words and for Rule 4-4, 152 words.

It is my proposal that in the interests of focussing rules on the interests of the club player, all reference to the role, powers and responsibilities of the committee be removed from the Definitions and Rules 1-32 and be placed in a revised Rule 33 entitled ‘Committee Powers and Responsibilities’.

Hence the proposed penalty statements in this and subsequent rules are designed to provide the player with the essential information s/he needs in order to play the game.

Second:

Penalties are variously prescribed by the Rules to be applied, for example, ‘at the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered’; to ‘the next hole’; ‘not to the next hole’; ‘at each of the first two holes at which the breach occurred’; or from the aggregate of holes or total points.

This is plainly confusing and can lead to devastating outcomes.

For example if a player breaches a competition condition prohibiting practice between holes in a stroke competition and on the (not unreasonable) assumption that the penalty applies to the hole just completed adds a two stroke penalty to the score for that hole will be disqualified from the competition. A bit harsh, don’t you think, for a clerical error or an understandable oversight in navigating one’s way through a maze.

The game we play is called golf, not ‘linguistic gymnastics’!!

An attempt is made within these proposed rules revisions to make this situation as simple as it can be.

 

 

ooOoo

Rule 4: Clubs
 

4-1. Conforming clubs; Wear and Alteration

If a player is in doubt as to the conformity of a club he should consult the Committee.

A club that conforms with the Rules when new is deemed to conform after wear through normal use.

Any part of a club that has been purposely altered is regarded as new and must, in its altered state, conform with the Rules.

Any club carried in breach of this Rule must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent, or his marker or a fellow-competitor immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and the facts must be reported to the Committee at the conclusion of the round.

 

4-2. Playing Characteristics Changed and Foreign Material

a. Playing Characteristics Changed

During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club must not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means.
 

b. Foreign Material

Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of influencing the movement of the ball.
 

Any club carried in breach of this Rule must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent, or his marker or a fellow-competitor immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and the facts must be reported to the Committee at the conclusion of the round.
 

PENALTY FOR MAKING STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or 4-2 or FAILING TO DECLARE OUT OF PLAY A CLUB OR CLUBS CARRIED IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or 4-2
Disqualification from the competition.

 

PENALTY FOR CARRYING, BUT NOT MAKING STROKE WITH, CLUB OR CLUBS IN BREACH OF RULE 4-1 or 4-2:
Match play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by applying a penalty of one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred to a maximum of two holes per round.

 

For stroke, par and Stableford competitions see Rule 33-17. 

 

4-3. Damaged Clubs: Repair and Replacement

a. Damage in Normal Course of Play

If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged in the normal course of play, he may:
 

(i)    use the club in its damaged state for the remainder of the stipulated round; or
 

(ii)   without unduly delaying play, repair it or have it repaired; or
 

(iii)  as an additional option available only if the club is substantially damaged and unfit for play replace the damaged club with any club. The replacement of a club must not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7) and must not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.

A club is unfit for play if the shaft is dented, bent or broken; the clubhead is loose, detached or deformed; or grip is loose - a club is not unfit for play solely because the club’s lie or loft has been altered, or the clubhead is scratched.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3a:

See Penalty Statements for Rule 4-4a or b, and Rule 4-4c.
 

b. Damage Other Than in Normal Course of Play

If, during a stipulated round, a player’s club is damaged other than in the normal course of play rendering it non-conforming or changing its playing characteristics, the club must not subsequently be used or replaced during the round.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3b:

Disqualification from the competition.
 

c. Damage Prior to Round

A player may use a club damaged prior to a round, provided the club, in its damaged state, conforms with the Rules.
 

Damage to a club that occurred prior to a round may be repaired during the round, provided the playing characteristics are not changed and play is not unduly delayed.
 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-3c:
See Penalty Statement for Rule 4-1 or 4-2.

 

(Undue delay – see Rule 6-7) 

 

4-4. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs

a. Selection and Addition of Clubs

A player must not commence a stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs. He is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round, except that if he started with fewer than fourteen clubs, he may add any number, provided his total number does not exceed fourteen.
 

If a player should claim that he commenced the stipulated round with more than fourteen clubs through the actions (inadvertent or otherwise) of another person, other than his partner or either of their caddies, he must be able to demonstrate the circumstances to the satisfaction of the Committee. Should he be able to do that, the penalty attached to this Rule does not apply.
 

The addition of a club or clubs must not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7) and the player must not add or borrow any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course or by assembling components carried by or for the player during the stipulated round.
 

b. Partners May Share Clubs

Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number of clubs carried by the partners so sharing does not exceed fourteen.
 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-4a or b, REGARDLESS OF NUMBER OF EXCESS CLUBS CARRIED:
See Penalty Statement for Rule 4-1 or 4-2.

 

c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play

Any club or clubs carried or used in breach of Rule 4-3a(iii) or Rule 4-4 must be declared out of play by the player to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. The player must not use the club or clubs for the remainder of the stipulated round.
 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 4-4c:
Disqualification from the competition.