Match Play Golf Rules
Match Play Rules – This match will be played under the Match Play rules of the USGA, Rule 3.2. http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/players-edition/rule-3.html#Rule%203.2 Key items are called out below.
Winter Rules and Local Rules: Willows Run course determines whether Winter Rules or regular rules apply and posts a sign on the starter shack. Please refer to the <WMC Local Rules> regarding applicable rules.
Combining Match and Stoke Play: You can't play a round and have it count for both Match Play and the Thursday night League play. Rule 3.1 states “Forms of Play. Match play and stroke play are very different forms of play.”
2-1 General
A match consists of one side playing against another over a stipulated round. In match play, the game is played by holes. Except, as otherwise provided in the rules, each hole is won by the side holing out in the fewest number of strokes. In a handicap match, the lower net score wins the hole. The state of the match is expressed by the following terms: so many “holes up’’ or “all square,’’ and so many “to play.’’
2-2 Halved Hole
A hole is halved if each side holes out in the same number of strokes. When a player has holed out and his opponent has been left with a stroke for the half, if the player subsequently incurs a penalty, the hole is halved.
2-3 Winner of Match
A match is won when one side leads by a number of holes greater than the number remaining to be played.
2-4 Concession of Match, Hole or Next Stroke
- A player may concede a match at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that match.
- A player may concede a hole at any time prior to the start or conclusion of that hole.
- A player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time, provided the opponent’s ball is at rest. The opponent is considered to have holed out with his next stroke, and the ball may be removed by either side.
- A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.
2-5 Doubt as to Procedure; Disputes and Claims
IMPORTANT: Know this rule!
In match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players, a player may make a claim. If no duly authorized representative of the committee is available within a reasonable time, the players must continue the match without delay. The committee may consider a claim only if the player making the claim notifies his opponent (i) that he is “making a claim,” (ii) of the facts of the situation and (iii) that he wants a ruling. The claim must be made before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green.
A later claim may not be considered by the committee unless it is based on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim, and the player had been given wrong information (Rules 6-2a and 9) by an opponent.
Once the result of the match has been officially announced, a later claim may not be considered by the committee unless it is satisfied that the opponent knew they were giving wrong information.
The privilege of playing a second ball does not exist in match play. If you play a second ball, that becomes the ball in play.
2-6 General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a rule in match play is loss of hole, except when otherwise provided.
Decision 2-5/1 Player’s Obligation Regarding Lodging Claim
In match play, a player may disregard a breach of the rules by their opponent, provided there is no agreement between the players. There is a difference between overlooking an opponent’s breach and an agreement with the opponent to waive a penalty. Rule 1-3 prohibits the latter.
Decision 2-5/2 Procedure for a Valid Claim
For a claim to be valid, the claimant must notify their opponent (i) that they are making a claim, (ii) of the facts of the situation and (iii) that they want a ruling. They must do so within the time required by Rule 2-5. For example, Rule 16-1e prohibits putting from a stance astride an extension of the line of putt behind the ball. In a match between A and B, if A putts from a stance astride an extension of the line and B states “that is not allowed, you are penalized,” or, “I’m making a claim because of that stroke,” the committee should consider the claim.
Statements by B such as “I’m not sure that’s allowed,” or, “I don’t think you can do that,” do not by themselves constitute a valid claim, because each statement does not contain the notice of a claim, the facts of the situation and an indication that they want a ruling.
18.3 Provisional Ball Procedure
If your ball might be lost outside a penalty area, to save time you may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance.
18.3.b. Announcing Play of Provisional Ball
Before the stroke is made, you must announce that you are going to play a provisional ball.
It is not enough for you only to say that you are playing another ball or are playing again.
You must use the word “provisional” or otherwise clearly indicate that you are playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3.
If you did not announce this (even if you intended to play a provisional ball) and played a ball from where the previous stroke was made, that ball is your ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.
Announcement of Provisional Ball
Under Interpretation 18.3b/1 – What Is Considered Announcement of Provisional Ball
Although Rule 18.3b does not specify to whom the announcement of a provisional ball must be made, an announcement must be made so that people in the vicinity of the player can hear it.
For example, with other people nearby, if a player states that he or she will be playing a provisional ball but does so in a way that only he or she can hear it, this does not satisfy the requirement in Rule 18.3b that the player must “announce” that he or she is going to play a provisional ball. Any ball played in these circumstances becomes the player’s ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.
If there are no other people nearby to hear the player’s announcement (such as when a player has returned to the teeing area after briefly searching for his or her ball), the player is considered to have correctly announced that he or she has the intent to play a provisional ball provided that he or she informs someone of that when it becomes possible to do so.
18.3b/2 – Statements That “Clearly Indicate” That a Provisional Ball Is Being Played
When playing a provisional ball, it is best if the player uses the word “provisional” in his or her announcement. However, other statements that make it clear that the player’s intent is to play a provisional ball are acceptable.
Examples of announcements that clearly indicate the player is playing a provisional ball include:
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“I’m playing a ball under Rule 18.3.”
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“I’m going to play another just in case.”
Examples of announcements that do not clearly indicate the player is playing a provisional ball and mean that the player would be putting a ball into play under stroke and distance include:
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“I’m going to re-load.”
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“I’m going to play another.”
Willows Run Golf Complex Local Rules:
- To avoid slow play and maintain position, your group must keep the group ahead of you in sight.
- If the group ahead is out of sight and the group behind is waiting, your group is out of position – please make your group aware they must speed up play and regain position.
- Environmentally Sensitive areas are treated as lateral hazards. A ball coming to rest in these areas cannot be searched for and must be abandoned. Drop a ball as near as possible to the point where the original ball entered the hazard adding one stroke to your score.
- Please make every effort to repair ball marks on the green and apply sand to fairway divots
- Lateral hazards: Red stakes or Mow Line
- Water hazards: Yellow stakes or Mow Line
- Environmentally sensitive areas: Red stakes with green tops. You may not play the ball, you must take a drop and a stroke.