Rule 31. Four-Ball Stroke Play
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
31-1. General
The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the following
specific Rules, apply to four-ball stroke play.
31-2. Representation of Side
A side may be represented by either partner for all or any part of
a stipulated round; both partners need not be present. An absent
competitor may join his partner between holes, but not during
play of a hole.
31-3. Scoring
The marker is required to record for each hole only the gross
score of whichever partner’s score is to count. The gross scores
to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise, the side
is disqualified. Only one of the partners need be responsible for
complying with Rule 6-6b.
(Wrong score — see Rule 31-7a.)
31-4. Order of Play
Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the
side considers best.
31-5. Wrong Ball
If a competitor is in breach of Rule 15-3b for making a stroke at a
wrong ball, he incurs a penalty of two strokes and must correct
Rule 31 87
his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under
the Rules. His partner incurs no penalty even if the wrong ball
belongs to him.
If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, its owner
must place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was
first played.
31-6. Penalty to Side
A side is penalized for a breach of any of the following by
either partner:
• Rule 4 — Clubs
• Rule 6-4 — Caddie
• Any Local Rule or Condition of Competition for which
there is a maximum penalty per round.
31-7. Disqualification Penalties
g a. Breach by One Partner
A side is disqualified from the competition if either partner
incurs a penalty of disqualification under any of the following:
• Rule 1-3 — Agreement to Waive Rules
• Rule 3-4 — Refusal to Comply with a Rule
• Rule 4 — Clubs
• Rule 5-1 or 5-2 — The Ball
• Rule 6-2b — Handicap
• Rule 6-4 — Caddie
• Rule 6-6b — Signing and Returning Score Card
• Rule 6-6d — Wrong Score for Hole
• Rule 6-7 — Undue Delay; Slow Play
• Rule 7-1 — Practice Before or Between Rounds
• Rule 11-1 — Teeing
• Rule 14-3 — Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and
Unusual Use of Equipment
88 Rule 31
• Rule 22-1 —
Ball Assisting Play
• Rule 31-3 — Gross Scores to Count Not Individually
Identifiable
• Rule 33-7 — Disqualification Penalty Imposed
by Committee
g b. Breach by Both Partners
A side is disqualified from the competition:
(i) if each partner incurs a penalty of disqualification for a
breach of Rule 6-3 (Time of Starting and Groups) or Rule
6-8 (Discontinuance of Play), or
(ii) if, at the same hole, each partner is in breach of a Rule
the penalty for which is disqualification from the competition
or for a hole.
g c. For the Hole Only
In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in disqualification,
the competitor is disqualified only for the hole at
which the breach occurred.
31-8. Effect of Other Penalties
If a competitor’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play, the
partner incurs the applicable penalty in addition to any penalty
incurred by the competitor.
In all other cases where a competitor incurs a penalty for breach
of a Rule, the penalty does not apply to his partner.
