Rule 21: Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play

Points come from comparing the score with par, unless the Committee fixes a different target.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · recall

One over the fixed target score earns one point.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

One under the target earns three points.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

Two over the target is more than one over, which earns nothing.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

Holing in one on a par 4 is an albatross, worth five.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

Stableford is won on points, not strokes.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1a · recall

A player who does not hole out under the Rules gets no points for the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

Four, three, two and one points.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

Handicap strokes are applied to the hole score before the points are worked out.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2) · applied

B is one under par. A is one over, C is level with par, and D is two over.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

A score that earns points must be shown as it is.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2) · applied

For a zero-point hole, a blank or any score worth zero is acceptable.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2) · applied

The players enter scores; the points are the Committee's job.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2) · recall

Playing on cannot add a point, so stopping saves time.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1) · applied

Rule 11.2 does not apply here: nobody is penalised and the hole earns nothing.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1d · applied

The round ends on holing out, choosing not to, or when no point is still possible.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1e · applied

Committee Procedures allow the Terms to encourage, not require, entering the points.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2); Committee Procedures 5A(5) · applied

Once nothing more can be earned, the hole is over.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b · applied

The round ends with the final hole, and the card goes in after that.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1e · applied

D's 5 would turn it into a one-point hole. The blank, the 6 and the 9 are all acceptable here.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2) · applied

The five listed breaches cost zero points; other disqualification breaches still disqualify.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c; Rule 1.3b(1) · applied

Failure to hole out is one of the five breaches that cost zero points instead.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c · applied

Rule 21.1c lists five such breaches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c · recall

Outside the five listed Rules, disqualification still applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c · applied

After penalties, a Stableford hole cannot go below zero points.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c · applied

Failing to correct a wrong-order stroke is one of the five zero-point breaches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c; Rule 22.3 · applied

Every stroke-play penalty applies, with the zero-point exception for five breaches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c · applied

An uncorrected wrong ball costs the hole, not the competition.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c; Rule 6.3c · applied

Penalty strokes, then a lost hole's points, then disqualification.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c · applied

C is in front of the blue markers, outside the teeing area. A, B and D are inside the shaded teeing area.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c; Rule 6.1b(2) · applied

The Committee caps each hole, for example at twice par or net double bogey.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a · recall

Twice par on a par 4 is 8, so the 10 is cut to 8.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(1) · applied

The book gives two times par, a fixed number and net double bogey as examples.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a · applied

Not holing out under the Rules gives the maximum score.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(1) · applied

A score lower than the maximum must be entered as it is.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(2) · applied

At or above the maximum, a blank or any score at or above it is acceptable.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(2) · applied

The stroke-play Rules apply, modified by Rule 21.2.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a · recall

Players are encouraged to stop at the maximum to help pace of play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b · applied

The Committee is responsible for cutting any higher entry to the maximum.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(2) · applied

C's 11 on a par 5 is above 10. A and D are exactly at twice par and B is below it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(1) · applied

It is one of the five breaches that cost the maximum score instead of disqualification.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c; Rule 6.1b(2) · applied

Penalty strokes cannot push a hole beyond the cap.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c · applied

Rule 11.2 does not apply: no penalty, and the player gets the maximum.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2d · applied

The last hole is over once the ball is holed, the player stops, or the cap has been reached.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2e · applied

Only the five listed breaches are softened to the maximum score.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c · applied

It is written for individuals but can be adapted for partners and teams.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a · applied

Only an uncorrected serious breach brings the softened penalty; a corrected one is not disqualification.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c; Rule 14.7b · applied

Strokes, then the maximum, then disqualification.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c · applied

Playing on without correcting it leaves the 7th at its cap.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c; Rule 6.3c · applied

B shows the actual 6. A blank, 8 or 9 is allowed only when the score reaches the maximum.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(2) · applied

Holes are won or lost against a fixed score, usually par or bogey.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a · recall

A score lower than the fixed score wins the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1) · applied

The same as the fixed score ties, or halves, the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1) · applied

Not holing out under the Rules means the fixed score wins that hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1) · applied

Holes won minus holes lost: 5 - 7 = 2 down.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a · applied

The winner has the best balance of holes won against holes lost.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a · recall

The usual Rule 11.2 penalty is switched off; the player is simply beaten on that hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3d · applied

Won, tied, lost.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1) · applied

Handicap strokes come before the hole result is decided.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2) · applied

C is one under par. A is one over, and B and D are level with par.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1) · applied

A score that wins or ties must be entered as it is.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2) · applied

When the hole is lost, a blank entry or any losing number will do.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2) · applied

A lower score that does not change won, lost or tied brings no penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2) · applied

Rule 21.3c turns this disqualification breach into the loss of the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c; Rule 6.3c · applied

After penalties a player can do no worse than lose the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c · applied

The hole is already lost, so stopping helps the pace of play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1) · applied

The last hole ends when the ball is holed, the player stops, or the hole has gone to the fixed score.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3e · applied

A stroke, then the hole, then disqualification.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c · applied

This uncorrected mistake costs the hole in Par/Bogey.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c; Rule 6.1b(2) · applied

Three holes won and four lost: one down overall.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a · applied

Each player plays the other two at the same time.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · recall

One ball serves both of the player's matches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · recall

The opponent who should have played first may cancel it under Rule 6.4a(2).

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4b · recall

The original continues in one match and a replayed ball in the other.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4b · applied

Applying a Rule in one match could conflict with applying it in the other.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · applied

Rules 1-20 for match play apply, except in the two cases of Rule 21.4.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · applied

The same score is compared with two different opponents.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · applied

The cancelled stroke is made again when it is the player's turn.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4b; Rule 6.4a(2) · applied

One ball, two matches, two results.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · recall

Player 3 played out of turn in both matches, so each opponent decides for their own match.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4b · applied

Each player plays two individual matches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · recall

There are no sides: three individual players, three matches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · applied

Each of the three matches is decided on its own.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · applied

A concession is made in one match and does not carry over.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a; Rule 3.2b · applied

Lifting or moving a ball or ball-marker by an opponent.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4c · recall

Player 1 v 2, 1 v 3 and 2 v 3.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · recall

One ball is in play for both matches, so the relief and penalty count in each.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a; Rule 18.2 · applied

Two, three, then four players.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4; Rule 23 · recall

The ball farthest from the hole is played first.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 6.4a; Rule 21.4 · applied

The penalty applies only in the match with the player whose ball was lifted.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4c · applied

Rule 21.5 says the Rules can be adapted to many other forms of play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5 · applied

Section 9 of the Committee Procedures covers common other forms.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5 · recall

Stableford compares each hole with a target and awards points.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1a · applied

The Committee sets a maximum per hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a · applied

Par/Bogey borrows match play scoring for a stroke-play event.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a · applied

The other three are forms of stroke play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a · applied

Each is written for scratch competitions but can be adapted for handicap play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1a; Rule 21.2a; Rule 21.3a · applied

Rules 21.1 to 21.4 in turn.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21 · recall

Greensomes is one of the forms the Committee Procedures help adapt the Rules for.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5; Committee Procedures 9 · applied

Every player plays from the chosen ball's spot: a scramble.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5 · applied