Rule 21: Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play
Rule 21.2: This Rule introduces a new format called “Maximum Score.” This is a form of stroke play where the score for each hole is capped at a maximum number set by the Committee, such as two times par, a fixed number, or net double bogey. A player who reaches the maximum score is permitted and encouraged to pick up. This format is designed to improve pace of play. If you decide to implement Maximum Score for your league or group, you will need to read all of Rule 21.2 (don’t panic, it’s only two pages). Since this is a new format, you should become familiar with all of its Rules if you plan to use it.
Rule 21.5: The Rules can be adapted for other forms of play, such as scrambles and greensomes. Variations of scrambles include Texas Scramble, Florida Scramble (also known as Dropout Scramble, Step Aside), and One-Person Scramble.
Greensomes – also called Canadian Foursomes or American Foursomes in some parts of the world – is an alternate shot format where both players hit tee shots. Variations of greensomes include Pinehurst Foursomes and Chinese or St. Andrews Greensomes.
Rule 22: Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot)
Reminder: The term foursomes does not apply to a group of four people playing together, which should be called a group. Foursomes means “alternate shot.”
Int. 22.1/1: In a handicap competition, if each player does not individually record his handicap on the scorecard before turning it in, the side is disqualified.
R. 22.2: Either partner may take any allowed action for the side, such as mark, lift, replace, drop, and place the ball, regardless of whose turn it is to hit.
R. 22.3: One partner plays first from the odd-numbered holes, the other plays first from the even-numbered holes, and on each hole the players alternate hitting the ball until it is holed. Penalty strokes do not change the order of play. If the side decides to play a provisional ball, it must be hit by the partner whose turn it is to hit the next stroke.
Playing out of order: In match play, the side loses the hole. In stroke play, the side gets the general penalty and the mistake must be corrected before making a stroke to begin the next hole. If the mistake is not corrected, the side is disqualified.
Int. 22.3/1: In mixed foursomes, if the man tees off and hits the ball out of bounds, the woman must play the next shot from the man’s teeing area. Just remember that stroke and distance means stroke (one penalty stroke) and distance (playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made).
Int. 22.3/2: If both you and your partner mistakenly tee off from the same teeing area and it was your turn to hit first, your partner has technically played under stroke and distance. His ball is the third shot on the hole, and it is your turn to play. If it was your partner’s turn to play, you played in the wrong order when you hit first. Your side loses the hole in match play. In stroke play, your side gets two penalty strokes. Counting your partner’s tee shot, your side has made three strokes and it is your turn to play.
Int. 22.3/3: You may not intentionally miss the ball so that your partner will get to hit the next shot. A “stroke” requires an intention to hit the ball. If you did not intend to hit the ball, you have not made a stroke, and it is still your turn.
R. 22.4a: You and your partner may decide who plays first from the first teeing ground, unless the Committee tells you who must play first.
R. 22.4b: If you are the player who will hit the tee shot on the first hole, you must be ready to play on time at the first teeing area of your round. Your partner must also be on time, but he may be either at the teeing area or further down the hole where he expects to play the second shot.
R. 22.5: You and your partner may share clubs, provided the total number of clubs carried by your side does not exceed 14 (e.g., you carry six, your partner carries eight).
Rule 23: Four-Ball (common term: Better Ball)
R. 23.2b: The score that counts for the side must be clearly identified as to which partner made that score. The penalty is disqualification.
R. 23.4: The side may be represented by one partner for all or part of the round. In other words, you may compete without your partner. If your partner shows up late, he may start play only between the play of two holes, but he may give you advice and do other things a partner is allowed as soon as he joins you.
R. 23.5a: Your partner may take any action concerning your ball that you are allowed to take, such as mark, lift, replace, and drop your ball.
R. 23.5a/1: When you and your partner share a caddie, if the caddie’s breach of a Rule cannot be assigned to one of you, you are both penalized. For example, if your caddie moves your opponent’s ball other than during search, and neither you nor your partner directed him to do that, both you and your partner get one penalty stroke.
R. 23.5b: If your partner (or his caddie) does anything to breach a Rule with regard to your ball or equipment, you get the penalty.
Rule 23.6: You and your partner may play in the order you two consider best. In other words, if your partner is away, either of you may hit first. However, if your stroke is conceded, and your next stroke might help your partner, you must pick up. If you go ahead and hit your ball in this situation, your score for the hole stands (the hole ended for you as soon as your next stroke was conceded), but your partner’s score on the hole will not count.
Int. 23.6/3: If both players of a side play from outside the teeing area, the only stroke that may be cancelled (formerly “recalled”) by the opponents is the stroke of the second player to hit.
Rule 23.8a: Normally, when you get a penalty, your partner does not also get the penalty. There are three notable exceptions where you both get the penalty for a breach of a Rule by only one partner: (1) a breach of Rule 4.1 (14 club limit, no sharing of clubs, no replacing lost or damaged clubs; (2) your breach of a Rule helps your partner’s play; (3) in match play, your breach of a Rule hurts your opponent’s play. [See Int. 23.8a(2)/1 and 23.8a(2)/2 for several examples of (2) and (3).]
R. 23.8b: See this Rule for a list of Rules where the side will be disqualified for a breach by one partner, and for a list of Rules where the side is disqualified if both players breach the Rule.
Rule 24: Team Competitions
R. 24.1: A team is a group of players who compete against another team or teams. (Remember: a side is two or more partners competing as a single unit. A team consists of multiple individuals or multiple sides.)
R. 24.3: Each team may name a captain. The captain may play in the competition.
R. 24.4: The Committee may adopt a Local Rule allowing each team to appoint one or two “Advice Givers.” This person may give advice to team players, and the players may ask him for advice. If the advice giver plays on the team, he may not give advice to team members other than his own partner while he is playing.
December 2018 Clarification: The restriction on the caddie from standing behind the player in R.10.2b(4) applies similarly to the advice giver.
R. 24.4c: Players from the same team may not give or get advice from other teammates playing on the course or in their group, unless that teammate is his partner.
Copyright © 2018 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
