Playing the Round

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Playing the Round

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Official Rules

5.1Meaning of Round

5.2Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds

5.3Starting and Ending Round

5.4Playing in Groups

5.5Practising During Round or While Play Is Stopped

5.6Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play

5.7Stopping Play; Resuming Play

Rule 4 Rule 6

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Purpose of Rule: Rule 5 covers how to play a round – such as where and when a player may practise on the course before or during a round, when a round starts and ends and what happens when play has to stop or resume. Players are expected to:

Start each round on time, and
Play continuously and at a prompt pace during each hole until the round is completed.

When it is a player’s turn to play, it is recommended that they make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds, and usually more quickly than that.

Playing the Round

5.1

Meaning of Round

A “round” is 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. When a round ends in a tie and play will go on until there is a winner:

Tied Match Extended One Hole at a Time. This is the continuation of the same round, not a new round.
Play-off in Stroke Play. This is a new round.

A player is playing their round from when it starts until it ends (see Rule 5.3), except while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a. When a Rule refers to actions taken “during a round,” that does not include while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a unless the Rule says otherwise.

5.2

Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds

For purposes of this Rule:

“Practising on the course” means playing a ball, or testing the surface of the putting green of any hole by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface, and
The limitations on practise on the course before or between rounds apply only to the player, not to the player’s caddie.