Rule 34. Disputes and Decisions
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
34-1. Claims and Penalties
g a. Match Play
If a claim is lodged with the Committee under Rule 2-5, a decision
should be given as soon as possible so that the state of
the match may, if necessary, be adjusted. If a claim is not
made in accordance with Rule 2-5, it must not be considered
by the Committee.
There is no time limit on applying the disqualification penalty
for a breach of Rule 1-3.
g b. Stroke Play
In stroke play, a penalty must not be rescinded, modified or
imposed after the competition has closed. A competition is
closed when the result has been officially announced or, in
stroke-play qualifying followed by match play, when the player
has teed off in his first match.
Rule 34 97
Exceptions: A penalty of disqualification must be imposed
after the competition has closed if a competitor:
(i) was in breach of Rule 1-3 (Agreement to Waive Rules); or
(ii) returned a score card on which he had recorded a
handicap that, before the competition closed, he knew
was higher than that to which he was entitled, and this
affected the number of strokes received (Rule 6-2b); or
(iii) returned a score for any hole lower than actually taken
(Rule 6-6d) for any reason other than failure to include
a penalty that, before the competition closed, he did
not know he had incurred; or
(iv) knew, before the competition closed, that he had been
in breach of any other Rule for which the penalty is disqualification.
34-2. Referee’s Decision
If a referee has been appointed by the Committee, his decision is
final.
34-3. Committee’s Decision
In the absence of a referee, any dispute or doubtful point on the
Rules must be referred to the Committee, whose decision is final.
If the Committee cannot come to a decision, it may refer the dispute
or doubtful point to the Rules of Golf Committee of the
United States Golf Association, whose decision is final.
If the dispute or doubtful point has not been referred to the
Rules of Golf Committee, the player or players may request
that an agreed statement be referred through a duly authorized
representative of the Committee to the Rules of Golf
Committee for an opinion as to the correctness of the decision
given. The reply will be sent to this authorized representative.
If play is conducted other than in accordance with the Rules of
Golf, the Rules of Golf Committee will not give a decision on
any question.
