October 2nd, 2008 by Phil Reich PGA Golf Art

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.