Rules of Golf - Rule 30: Three-Ball, Best Ball, and
Four-Ball Match Play
30-1. Rules of
Golf Apply
The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the following
specific Rules, apply to three-ball, best-ball and four-ball matches.
30-2.
Three-Ball Match Play
a. Ball at Rest Moved by an Opponent
Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if the player’s ball is
touched or moved by an opponent, his caddie or equipment other than
during search, Rule 18-3b applies. That opponent incurs a penalty of one
stroke in his match with the player, but not in his match with the other
opponent.
b. Ball Deflected or Stopped by an Opponent Accidentally
If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an opponent,
his caddie or equipment, there is no penalty. In his match with that
opponent the player may play the ball as it lies or, before another
stroke is played by either side, he may cancel the stroke and play a
ball without penalty as nearly as possible at the spot from which the
original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5). In his match with the
other opponent, the ball must be played as it lies.
Exception: Ball striking person attending flagstick — see Rule 17-3b.
(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by opponent — see Rule 1-2.)
30-3.
Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play
a. Representation of Side
A side may be represented by one partner for all or any part of a match;
all partners need not be present. An absent partner may join a match
between holes, but not during play of a hole.
b. Maximum of 14 Clubs
The side is penalized for a breach of Rules 4-3a (iii) and 4-4 by any
partner.
c. Order of Play
Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side
considers best.
d. Wrong Ball
If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is not in a hazard, he
is disqualified for that hole, but his partner incurs no penalty even if
the wrong ball belongs to him. If the wrong ball belongs to another
player, its owner must place a ball on the spot from which the wrong
ball was first played.
e. Disqualification of Side
(i) A side is disqualified for a breach of any of the following by any
partner:
• Rule 1-3 — Agreement to Waive Rules
• Rule 4-1 or -2 — Clubs
• Rule 5-1 or -2 — The Ball
• Rule 6-2a — Handicap (playing off higher handicap)
• Rule 6-4 — Caddie (having more than one caddie; failure to correct
breach immediately)
• Rule 6-7 — Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated offense)
• Rule 14-3 — Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
(ii) A side is disqualified for a breach of any of the following by all
partners:
• Rule 6-3 — Time of Starting and Groups
• Rule 6-8 — Discontinuance of Play
(iii) In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in
disqualification, the player is disqualified for that hole only.
f. Effect of Other Penalties
If a player’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play or adversely
affects an opponent’s play, the partner incurs the applicable penalty in
addition to any penalty incurred by the player.
In all other cases where a player incurs a penalty for breach of a Rule,
the penalty does not apply to his partner. Where the penalty is stated
to be loss of hole, the effect is to disqualify the player for that
hole.
g. Another Form of Match Played Concurrently
In a best-ball or four-ball match when another form of match is played
concurrently, the above specific Rules apply.
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