Rule 20: Resolving Rules Issues; Rulings by Referee and Committee

Players must not unreasonably delay play; without help they decide and carry on.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1a · recall

An agreed outcome is conclusive even if wrong, so long as nobody knowingly ignored a Rule.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1) · applied

Agreeing to ignore a Rule or penalty known to apply is not protected; both players are disqualified.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1); Rule 1.3b(1) · applied

With a referee assigned, the referee rules on any issue seen in time and the players must follow it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1) · applied

Facts known before the final hole: the request must come before a stroke begins another hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

Notifying the opponent that a later ruling will be sought counts as making the request.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

A late request gets no ruling, and the result stands even if the Rules were applied wrongly.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

The notice to the opponent keeps the request in time.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

Doubt or disagreement leads to a request under Rule 20.1b(2).

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1)-(2) · recall

A comes before anyone tees off on the 6th. B follows the 6th tee shot, and C and D are later still.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

In the absence of a referee, doubt or disagreement lets either player request a ruling.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1) · applied

Only a breach of Rule 3.2d(1) or 3.2d(2) opens a ruling about an earlier hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

The facts must have been unknown before a stroke began the hole being played.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

A ruling is still given when the player was unaware of the facts and the opponent gave a wrong stroke count or kept quiet about a penalty, knowing of that breach before the result was final.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(3) · applied

An ineligible player is treated as never having entered, with no time limit on the correction.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2f · applied

After the result is final a ruling needs an opponent who knew of the breach before then.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(3) · applied

Rule 20.2e(1) allows disqualification under Rule 1.2 even after the result is final.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2e(1) · applied

The request follows the moment the player becomes aware.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

On the final hole the request must come before the result is final.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2); Rule 3.2a(5) · applied

C follows the posted result, so the match is final. A, B and D all come before that.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2) · applied

In stroke play there is no right to decide Rules issues by agreement.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(1) · applied

Issues should reach the Committee before the card is returned.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(1) · recall

To protect the field, the player should raise it promptly.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(2) · applied

Failing to protect the field can be serious misconduct contrary to the spirit of the game.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(2); Rule 1.2a · applied

The decision comes between the uncertain situation and the next stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3) · applied

The choice is announced to the marker or another player before the stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3) · applied

The report is due before the card is returned, whatever the two scores.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3) · applied

Decide, announce, play out both, then report.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3) · applied

It should be raised before the other player's card is returned.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(2) · applied

Without a choice in time, the ball played first is treated as chosen by default.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3) · applied

When the chosen ball's procedure is allowed, its score stands.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

The second step of the Committee's test turns to the other ball.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

With both procedures wrong and no serious breach, the chosen ball stays in place.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

A serious breach with the chosen ball moves the count to the other ball.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

A serious breach with each ball leaves nothing that can count.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

Strokes and penalties from the ball that does not count are excluded.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

Rule 20.1c(3) does not apply, the original counts, and the second ball brings no penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3) · applied

Chosen ball first, the other ball second, the serious-breach check last.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · recall

When the chosen ball fails, an allowed other ball takes over.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

A was chosen and its procedure is allowed, so its 5 counts; B's 4 is ignored.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4) · applied

The referee may seek a second opinion or refer it, but the player cannot appeal.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2a · recall

A referee's decision is final, so acting on it costs nothing.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2a · applied

The decision should be reasonable, fair and consistent with similar situations.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.3 · applied

Facts not reasonably visible to the naked eye are set aside.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2c · applied

Awareness of the facts establishes a breach whatever the video shows.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2c · applied

A wrong ruling is corrected where the Rules still allow it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2d(1) · applied

An administrative mistake has no time limit for correction.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2d(2) · applied

The referee may get help before ruling, and the player follows the result.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2a · applied

Qualifying closes when the player has teed off to start their first match.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2e(2) · applied

B is a tiny movement seen only under magnification. A, C and D would be plain to anyone watching.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2c · applied