Rules of Golf - Rule 33: The Committee
33-1.
Conditions; Waiving Rule
The Committee must establish the conditions under which a competition is
to be played.
The Committee has no power to waive a Rule of Golf.
Certain specific Rules governing stroke play are so substantially
different from those governing match play that combining the two forms
of play is not practicable and is not permitted. The results of matches
played and the scores returned in these circumstances must not be
accepted.
In stroke play the Committee may limit a referee’s duties.
33-2. The
Course
a. Defining Bounds and Margins
The Committee must define accurately:
(i) the course and out of bounds,
(ii) the margins of water hazards and lateral water hazards,
(iii) ground under repair, and
(iv) obstructions and integral parts of the course.
b. New Holes
New holes should be made on the day on which a stroke play competition
begins and at such other times as the Committee considers necessary,
provided all competitors in a single round play with each hole cut in
the same position.
Exception: When it is impossible for a damaged hole to be repaired so
that it conforms with the Definition, the Committee may make a new hole
in a nearby similar position.
Note: Where a single round is to be played on more than one day, the
Committee may provide in the conditions of a competition that the holes
and teeing grounds may be differently situated on each day of the
competition, provided that, on any one day, all competitors play with
each hole and each teeing ground in the same position.
c. Practice Ground
Where there is no practice ground available outside the area of a
competition course, the Committee should establish the area on which
players may practice on any day of a competition, if it is practicable
to do so. On any day of a stroke play competition, the Committee should
not normally permit practice on or to a putting green or from a hazard
of the competition course.
d. Course Unplayable
If the Committee or its authorized representative considers that for any
reason the course is not in a playable condition or that there are
circumstances that render the proper playing of the game impossible, it
may, in match play or stroke play, order a temporary suspension of play
or, in stroke play, declare play null and void and cancel all scores for
the round in question. When a round is canceled, all penalties incurred
in that round are canceled.
(Procedure in discontinuing and resuming play — see Rule 6-8.)
33-3. Times of
Starting and Groups
The Committee must establish the times of starting and, in stroke play,
arrange the groups in which competitors must play.
When a match-play competition is played over an extended period, the
Committee establishes the limit of time within which each round must be
completed. When players are allowed to arrange the date of their match
within these limits, the Committee should announce that the match must
be played at a stated time on the last day of the period unless the
players agree to a prior date.
33-4. Handicap
Stroke Table
The Committee must publish a table indicating the order of holes at
which handicap strokes are to be given or received.
33-5. Score
Card
In stroke play, the Committee must provide each competitor with a score
card containing the date and the competitor’s name or, in foursomes or
four-ball stroke play, the competitors’ names.
In stroke play, the Committee is responsible for the addition of scores
and the application of the handicap recorded on the score card.
In four-ball stroke play, the Committee is responsible for recording the
better-ball score for each hole and in the process applying the
handicaps recorded on the score card, and adding the better-ball scores.
In bogey, par and Stableford competitions, the Committee is responsible
for applying the handicap recorded on the score card and determining the
result of each hole and the overall result or points total.
Note: The Committee may request that each competitor record the date and
his name on his score card.
33-6. Decision
of Ties
The Committee must announce the manner, day and time for the decision of
a halved match or of a tie, whether played on level terms or under
handicap.
A halved match must not be decided by stroke play. A tie in stroke play
must not be decided by a match.
33-7.
Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion
A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be
waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action
warranted.
Any penalty less than disqualification must not be waived or modified.
If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of
etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.
33-8. Local
Rules
a. Policy
The Committee may establish Local Rules for local abnormal conditions if
they are consistent with the policy set forth in Appendix I.
b. Waiving or Modifying a Rule
A Rule of Golf must not be waived by a Local Rule. However, if a
Committee considers that local abnormal conditions interfere with the
proper playing of the game to the extent that it is necessary to make a
Local Rule that modifies the Rules of Golf, the Local Rule must be
authorized by the USGA.
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