Rule 24: Playing Golf in a Team: The Team Competition
What this is about
Rule 24 covers team competitions, where the scores of several players combine into a team score.
What you need to do
- The committee determines how the team score is calculated and which rules apply.
- A team may have a captain. They decide, for example, who plays and in what order.
- Only if the committee allows it may a designated advisor, such as the captain or a coach, give you advice.
- Don't ask for or give advice to a teammate who isn't your partner. That costs the general penalty: two penalty strokes, or loss of the hole in match play.
Common mistake
Thinking you can discuss club choice with all your teammates. That's only allowed with your partner or the designated advisor.
Example
A teammate from another group calls out which club to use. That's unauthorized advice and costs you the general penalty.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
24.1 Overview
A team is a group of players who compete against other teams, either as individuals or as sides. All the normal Rules apply, with the adjustments in Rule 24.
24.2 Rules for team competitions
The terms of the competition decide how a team is made up, which scores or matches count, and how the team score is calculated.
24.3 Team captain
Each team may appoint a captain. They decide things like who plays, who partners with whom, and the order of play. Unless the Committee decides otherwise, the captain may play too.
24.4 Advice in a team match
24.4a Advisor
The Committee may allow, by local rule, each team to appoint an advisor. The advisor may give advice to the team's players, and they may ask the advisor for advice. This could be the captain, a coach, or a team member.
24.4b Restrictions on the advisor
If the advisor is also playing in the competition, they may not act as advisor during their own round. While they're playing, the normal rules on advice and help apply to them just like any other player.
24.4c No advice between team members
Team members who are playing on the course may not ask each other for advice or give it. This is only allowed if you're partners together in the same side. Penalty: the general penalty.