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.