# Rule 20: Resolving Rules Issues; Rulings by Referee and Committee (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 20: Resolving Rules Issues; Rulings by Referee and Committee · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-20-resolving-rules-issues-rulings-by-referee-and-committee/)

Ruling requests in match play, playing two balls in stroke play, referee and Committee rulings, wrong rulings and situations the Rules do not cover.

## 20.201 Resolving Rules Issues

Match-play ruling requests, two balls in stroke play, the Committee's choice of score, and rulings by referees and the Committee.

### Test 1: Ruling requests in match play

- Players must not unreasonably delay play; without help they decide and carry on. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1a)
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- Notifying the opponent that a later ruling will be sought counts as making the request. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2))
- 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))
- The notice to the opponent keeps the request in time. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2))
- Doubt or disagreement leads to a request under Rule 20.1b(2). (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1)-(2))
- 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))

### Test 2: Earlier holes and the final result of a match

- In the absence of a referee, doubt or disagreement lets either player request a ruling. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(1))
- 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))
- The facts must have been unknown before a stroke began the hole being played. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2))
- 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))
- An ineligible player is treated as never having entered, with no time limit on the correction. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2f)
- 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))
- 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))
- The request follows the moment the player becomes aware. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1b(2))
- 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))
- 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))

### Test 3: Stroke play: no agreements, and playing two balls

- In stroke play there is no right to decide Rules issues by agreement. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(1))
- Issues should reach the Committee before the card is returned. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(1))
- To protect the field, the player should raise it promptly. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(2))
- 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)
- The decision comes between the uncertain situation and the next stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3))
- The choice is announced to the marker or another player before the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3))
- The report is due before the card is returned, whatever the two scores. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3))
- Decide, announce, play out both, then report. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3))
- It should be raised before the other player's card is returned. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(2))
- Without a choice in time, the ball played first is treated as chosen by default. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(3))

### Test 4: How the Committee decides the score with two balls

- When the chosen ball's procedure is allowed, its score stands. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- The second step of the Committee's test turns to the other ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- With both procedures wrong and no serious breach, the chosen ball stays in place. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- A serious breach with the chosen ball moves the count to the other ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- A serious breach with each ball leaves nothing that can count. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- Strokes and penalties from the ball that does not count are excluded. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- 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))
- Chosen ball first, the other ball second, the serious-breach check last. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- When the chosen ball fails, an allowed other ball takes over. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.1c(4))
- 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))

### Test 5: Referees, the Committee and late corrections

- The referee may seek a second opinion or refer it, but the player cannot appeal. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2a)
- A referee's decision is final, so acting on it costs nothing. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2a)
- The decision should be reasonable, fair and consistent with similar situations. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.3)
- Facts not reasonably visible to the naked eye are set aside. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2c)
- Awareness of the facts establishes a breach whatever the video shows. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2c)
- A wrong ruling is corrected where the Rules still allow it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2d(1))
- An administrative mistake has no time limit for correction. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2d(2))
- The referee may get help before ruling, and the player follows the result. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2a)
- Qualifying closes when the player has teed off to start their first match. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 20.2e(2))
- 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)

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 20 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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