22 Rule 3
Rule 3. Stroke Play
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
3-1. General; Winner
A stroke-play competition consists of competitors completing
each hole of a stipulated round or rounds and, for each round,
returning a score card on which there is a gross score for each
hole. Each competitor is playing against every other competitor in
the competition.
The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the
fewest strokes is the winner.
In a handicap competition, the competitor with the lowest net
score for the stipulated round or rounds is the winner.
3-2. Failure to Hole Out
If a competitor fails to hole out at any hole and does not correct
his mistake before he makes a stroke on the next teeing ground
or, in the case of the last hole of the round, before he leaves
the putting green, he is disqualified.
3-3. Doubt as to Procedure
g a. Procedure
In stroke play, if a competitor is doubtful of his rights or the
correct procedure during the play of a hole, he may, without
penalty, complete the hole with two balls.
After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further
action, the competitor must announce to his marker or a fellow-
competitor that he intends to play two balls and which ball
he wishes to count if the Rules permit.
The competitor must report the facts of the situation to the
Committee before returning his score card. If he fails to do so, he
is disqualified.
Rule 3 23
Note: If the competitor takes further action before dealing with
the doubtful situation, Rule 3-3 is not applicable. The score
with the original ball counts or, if the original ball is not
one of the balls being played, the score with the first ball put
into play counts, even if the Rules do not allow the procedure
adopted for that ball. However, the competitor incurs no penalty
for having played a second ball, and any penalty strokes incurred
solely by playing that ball do not count in his score.
g b. Determination of Score for Hole
(i) If the ball that the competitor selected in advance to
count has been played in accordance with the Rules, the
score with that ball is the competitor’s score for the hole.
Otherwise, the score with the other ball counts if the
Rules allow the procedure adopted for that ball.
(ii) If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision
to complete the hole with two balls, or which ball
he wishes to count, the score with the original ball
counts, provided it has been played in accordance with
the Rules. If the original ball is not one of the balls being
played, the first ball put into play counts, provided it
has been played in accordance with the Rules. Otherwise,
the score with the other ball counts if the Rules allow
the procedure adopted for that ball.
Note 1: If a competitor plays a second ball under Rule 3-3, the
strokes made after this Rule has been invoked with the ball
ruled not to count and penalty strokes incurred solely by playing
that ball are disregarded.
Note 2: A second ball played under Rule 3-3 is not a provisional
ball under Rule 27-2.
3-4. Refusal to Comply with a Rule
If a competitor refuses to comply with a Rule affecting the rights
of another competitor, he is disqualified.
3-5. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in stroke play is two strokes
except when otherwise provided.
