ADMINISTRATION
Rule 33. The Committee
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
33-1. Conditions; Waiving Rule
The Committee must establish the conditions under which a
competition is to be played.
The Committee has no power to waive a Rule of Golf.
Certain specific Rules governing stroke play are so substantially
different from those governing match play that combining the
two forms of play is not practicable and is not permitted. The
result of a match played in these circumstances is null and
void and, in the stroke-play competition, the competitors are
disqualified.
In stroke play, the Committee may limit a referee’s duties.
33-2. The Course
g a. Defining Bounds and Margins
The Committee must define accurately:
(i) the course and out of bounds,
(ii) the margins of water hazards and lateral water hazards,
(iii) ground under repair, and
(iv) obstructions and integral parts of the course.
g b. New Holes
New holes should be made on the day on which a stroke-play
competition begins and at such other times as the Committee
considers necessary, provided all competitors in a single round
play with each hole cut in the same position.
Exception: When it is impossible for a damaged hole to be
repaired so that it conforms with the Definition, the Committee
may make a new hole in a nearby similar position.
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Note: Where a single round is to be played on more than one
day, the Committee may provide, in the conditions of a competition
(Rule 33-1), that the holes and teeing grounds may be
differently situated on each day of the competition, provided
that, on any one day, all competitors play with each hole and
each teeing ground in the same position.
g c. Practice Ground
Where there is no practice ground available outside the area of
a competition course, the Committee should establish the area on
which players may practice on any day of a competition, if it is
practicable to do so. On any day of a stroke-play competition,
the Committee should not normally permit practice on or to a
putting green or from a hazard of the competition course.
g d. Course Unplayable
If the Committee or its authorized representative considers that
for any reason the course is not in a playable condition or that
there are circumstances that render the proper playing of the
game impossible, it may, in match play or stroke play, order
a temporary suspension of play or, in stroke play, declare
play null and void and cancel all scores for the round in question.
When a round is canceled, all penalties incurred in that
round are canceled.
(Procedure in discontinuing and resuming play — see Rule 6-8.)
33-3. Times of Starting and Groups
The Committee must establish the times of starting and, in
stroke play, arrange the groups in which competitors must play.
When a match-play competition is played over an extended period,
the Committee establishes the limit of time within which each
round must be completed. When players are allowed to arrange
the date of their match within these limits, the Committee should
announce that the match must be played at a stated time on the
last day of the period, unless the players agree to a prior date.
33-4. Handicap Stroke Table
The Committee must publish a table indicating the order of
holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.
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33-5. Score Card
In stroke play, the Committee must provide each competitor with
a score card containing the date and the competitor’s name or,
in foursomes or four-ball stroke play, the competitors’ names.
In stroke play, the Committee is responsible for the addition of
scores and the application of the handicap recorded on the
score card.
In four-ball stroke play, the Committee is responsible for
recording the better-ball score for each hole and in the process
applying the handicaps recorded on the score card, and adding
the better-ball scores.
In bogey, par and Stableford competitions, the Committee is
responsible for applying the handicap recorded on the score
card and determining the result of each hole and the overall
result or points total.
Note: The Committee may request that each competitor record
the date and his name on his score card.
33-6. Decision of Ties
The Committee must announce the manner, day and time for
the decision of a halved match or of a tie, whether played on
level terms or under handicap.
A halved match must not be decided by stroke play. A tie in
stroke play must not be decided by a match.
33-7. Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion
A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual
cases be waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers
such action warranted.
Any penalty less than disqualification must not be waived or
modified.
If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious
breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification
under this Rule.
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33-8. Local Rules
g a. Policy
The Committee may establish Local Rules for local abnormal
conditions if they are consistent with the policy set forth in
Appendix I.
g b. Waiving or Modifying a Rule
A Rule of Golf must not be waived by a Local Rule. However, if
a Committee considers that local abnormal conditions interfere
with the proper playing of the game to the extent that it is necessary
to make a Local Rule that modifies the Rules of Golf, the
Local Rule must be authorized by the USGA.
