Rule 5: Rule 5: Your Round, Play & Finish
What this is about
This rule explains how you play a round of golf. It covers when you start and finish playing. It also tells you where and when you're allowed to practise.
What you need to do
- Be right on time for your start. Too late or too early: 2 penalty strokes on the first hole. More than 5 minutes late: you're disqualified from the competition.
- Play each hole without long breaks. Try to make your stroke within 40 seconds.
- Practising before a competition (stroke play):
- You can't practise on the course itself.
- You can putt or chip near your first teeing area.
- Or on the club's practice greens.
- And on the putting green of the hole you've just finished.
- Practise on the course anyway? You get 2 penalty strokes on your first hole. Do it again? You can't continue the competition.
- Practising before a match play competition: You're allowed to practise on the course.
- Your round only ends once you've finished the last hole.
Common mistake
Thinking you can practise anywhere on the course before a stroke play competition. This is a misunderstanding. You may only practise at designated spots or close to your starting point. Do it somewhere else anyway? Then you'll get penalty strokes right away.
Example
You have a stroke play competition at 9:00 am. You arrive at the first tee at 8:57 am. You hit a practice stroke on the fairway, far from the tee. This isn't allowed. You get two penalty strokes on the first hole for this.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
5.1 The concept of a round
A round consists of 18 holes (or fewer, if the Committee decides so), played in the order set by the Committee. When the result of a play-off or match is tied after the last hole, play continues until a winner is determined. The extension is part of the same round.
5.2 Practicing on the course before or between rounds
5.2a Match play
A player may practice on the competition course before or between rounds of a match play competition.
5.2b Stroke Play
On the day of a stroke play round, a player may not practise on the competition course before the round, unless the Committee allows it. Between rounds on consecutive days: the Committee may restrict practice. Penalty: disqualification.
5.3 Starting and ending a round
5.3a When a round must begin
The round begins when the player makes a stroke to start their first hole. The player must start on time (at the time and from the starting point set by the Committee). Starting late: (1) at the starting point and ready to play within five minutes after the starting time: the general penalty on the first hole; (2) more than five minutes late: disqualification. The Committee may waive a late start in exceptional circumstances.
5.3b When a round ends
In match play, the round ends when the result of the match is decided. In stroke play, the round ends when the player holes out on the last hole.
5.4 Playing in groups
5.4a Match Play
During a match play round, you and your opponent must play every hole in the same group.
5.4b Stroke play
During a stroke play round, players must play in the groups set by the Committee, unless the Committee approves a change afterward. Penalty: disqualification.
5.5 Practicing during the round or when play has been suspended
5.5a No practice strokes while playing a hole
While playing a hole, a player must not make a practice stroke. You're allowed to make practice swings, as long as you don't hit your ball in play while doing so.
5.5b Restrictions on practice strokes after finishing a hole
Between two holes, you're allowed to practice by chipping or putting on or near the putting green of the hole you just finished, on a practice putting green, or at the teeing area of the next hole. This must not unduly delay play. In stroke play: no practice strokes from a bunker.
5.5c Practicing while play is suspended or otherwise stopped
When play is suspended, you may take practice strokes on practice areas and on the putting green just played, unless the Committee restricts this.
5.6 Unnecessary Delay; Prompt Pace of Play
5.6a Undue delay of play
A player must not delay play unnecessarily, whether during the play of a hole or between two holes. A short delay can be justified (asking a referee for advice, waiting for medical assistance, etc.). Penalty: first offense, one penalty stroke; second offense, general penalty; third offense, disqualification.
5.6b Playing at a good pace
A round of golf should be played at a good pace. The Committee may set pace of play guidelines. A player should prepare for and make a stroke within a reasonable time (recommended: no more than 40 seconds per stroke).
5.7 Suspending Play; Resuming Play
5.7a When players may or must stop play
A player may stop play when he believes there's a danger from lightning. When the Committee suspends play (siren or other signal), all players must stop immediately. Penalty for not stopping: disqualification. A player may stop play on his own initiative due to danger from lightning, bad weather conditions or other good reasons, but must report this to the Committee as soon as possible.
5.7b What players must do when the Committee suspends play
In case of an immediate suspension (imminent danger): all players must stop right away, even if they're in the middle of a hole. In case of a normal suspension: if a player or group is playing a hole, they may finish that hole before stopping.
5.7c What players must do when play resumes
When play resumes, players must continue from the spot where they stopped.
5.7d Picking Up the Ball When Play Is Suspended; Replacing the Ball When Play Resumes
When play is suspended, you may mark and pick up your ball. When play resumes, the ball must be replaced on its original spot. If the ball can't be found (for example, due to flooding), a ball must be placed on the estimated original spot.