Rules of Golf - Rule 10: Order of Play
10-1. Match
Play
g a. When Starting Play of Hole
The side that has the honor at the first teeing ground is determined by
the order of the draw. In the absence of a draw, the honor should be
decided by lot.
The side that wins a hole takes the honor at the next teeing ground. If
a hole has been halved, the side that had the honor at the previous
teeing ground retains it.
g b. During Play of Hole
After both players have started play of the hole, the ball farther from
the hole is played first. If the balls are equidistant from the hole or
their positions relative to the hole are not determinable, the ball to
be played first should be decided by lot.
Exception: Rule 30-3c (best-ball and four-ball match play).
Note: When the original ball is not to be played as it lies and the
player is required to play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from
which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), the order of
play is determined by the spot from which the previous stroke was made.
When a ball may be played from a spot other than where the previous
stroke was made, the order of play is determined by the position where
the original ball came to rest.
g c. Playing Out of Turn
If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no
penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel
the stroke so made and, in correct order, play a ball as nearly as
possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5).
10-2. Stroke
Play
g a. When Starting Play of Hole
The competitor who has the honor at the first teeing ground is
determined by the order of the draw. In the absence of a draw, the honor
should be decided by lot.
The competitor with the lowest score at a hole takes the honor at the
next teeing ground. The competitor with the second lowest score plays
next and so on. If two or more competitors have the same score at a
hole, they play from the next teeing ground in the same order as at the
previous teeing ground.
g b. During Play of Hole
After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball farthest
from the hole is played first. If two or more balls are equidistant from
the hole or their positions relative to the hole are not determinable,
the ball to be played first should be decided by lot.
Exceptions: Rules 22 (ball assisting or interfering with play) and 31-5
(four-ball stroke play).
Note: When the original ball is not to be played as it lies and the
player is required to play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from
which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5), the order of
play is determined by the spot from which the previous stroke was made.
When a ball may be played from a spot other than where the previous
stroke was made, the order of play is determined by the position where
the original ball came to rest.
g c. Playing Out of Turn
If a competitor plays out of turn, there is no penalty and the ball is
played as it lies. If, however, the Committee determines that
competitors have agreed to play out of turn to give one of them an
advantage, they are disqualified.
(Playing stroke while another ball in motion after stroke from putting
green — see Rule 16-1f.)
(Incorrect order of play in threesomes and foursomes stroke play — see
Rule 29-3.)
10-3.
Provisional Ball or Second Ball from Teeing Ground
If a player plays a provisional ball or a second ball from a teeing
ground, he must do so after his opponent or fellow-competitor has played
his first stroke. If a player plays a provisional ball or a second ball
out of turn, Rule 10-1c or -2c applies.
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