Rules of Golf - Rule 3: Stroke Play
3-1. Winner
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
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. If he fails to do so, the
provisions of Rule 3-3b(ii) apply.
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.
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.
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