# Rule 21: Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 21: Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-21-other-forms-of-individual-stroke-play-and-match-play/)

Stableford, Maximum Score, Par/Bogey, Three-Ball Match Play and other forms of play.

## 21.211 Stableford and Maximum Score

Stableford points, cards and penalties, and how Maximum Score caps a hole.

### Test 1: Stableford points

- Points come from comparing the score with par, unless the Committee fixes a different target. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- One over the fixed target score earns one point. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- One under the target earns three points. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- Two over the target is more than one over, which earns nothing. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- Holing in one on a par 4 is an albatross, worth five. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- Stableford is won on points, not strokes. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1a)
- 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))
- Four, three, two and one points. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- Handicap strokes are applied to the hole score before the points are worked out. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2))
- 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))

### Test 2: Stableford scorecards and when a hole ends

- A score that earns points must be shown as it is. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2))
- For a zero-point hole, a blank or any score worth zero is acceptable. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2))
- The players enter scores; the points are the Committee's job. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(2))
- Playing on cannot add a point, so stopping saves time. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b(1))
- Rule 11.2 does not apply here: nobody is penalised and the hole earns nothing. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1d)
- The round ends on holing out, choosing not to, or when no point is still possible. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1e)
- 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))
- Once nothing more can be earned, the hole is over. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1b)
- The round ends with the final hole, and the card goes in after that. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1e)
- 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))

### Test 3: Penalties in Stableford

- The five listed breaches cost zero points; other disqualification breaches still disqualify. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c; Rule 1.3b(1))
- Failure to hole out is one of the five breaches that cost zero points instead. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c)
- Rule 21.1c lists five such breaches. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c)
- Outside the five listed Rules, disqualification still applies. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c)
- After penalties, a Stableford hole cannot go below zero points. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c)
- 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)
- Every stroke-play penalty applies, with the zero-point exception for five breaches. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c)
- An uncorrected wrong ball costs the hole, not the competition. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c; Rule 6.3c)
- Penalty strokes, then a lost hole's points, then disqualification. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1c)
- 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))

### Test 4: Maximum Score: how the cap works

- The Committee caps each hole, for example at twice par or net double bogey. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a)
- Twice par on a par 4 is 8, so the 10 is cut to 8. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(1))
- The book gives two times par, a fixed number and net double bogey as examples. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a)
- Not holing out under the Rules gives the maximum score. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(1))
- A score lower than the maximum must be entered as it is. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(2))
- 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))
- The stroke-play Rules apply, modified by Rule 21.2. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a)
- Players are encouraged to stop at the maximum to help pace of play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b)
- The Committee is responsible for cutting any higher entry to the maximum. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2b(2))
- 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))

### Test 5: Maximum Score: penalties and the end of the round

- 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))
- Penalty strokes cannot push a hole beyond the cap. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c)
- Rule 11.2 does not apply: no penalty, and the player gets the maximum. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2d)
- 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)
- Only the five listed breaches are softened to the maximum score. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c)
- It is written for individuals but can be adapted for partners and teams. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a)
- 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)
- Strokes, then the maximum, then disqualification. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c)
- Playing on without correcting it leaves the 7th at its cap. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2c; Rule 6.3c)
- 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))

## 21.212 Par/Bogey, Three-Ball and Other Forms

Par/Bogey scoring and penalties, Three-Ball Match Play, and adapting the Rules to other forms.

### Test 1: Par/Bogey: winning and losing holes

- Holes are won or lost against a fixed score, usually par or bogey. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a)
- A score lower than the fixed score wins the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1))
- The same as the fixed score ties, or halves, the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1))
- Not holing out under the Rules means the fixed score wins that hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1))
- Holes won minus holes lost: 5 - 7 = 2 down. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a)
- The winner has the best balance of holes won against holes lost. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a)
- 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)
- Won, tied, lost. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1))
- Handicap strokes come before the hole result is decided. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2))
- 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))

### Test 2: Par/Bogey: cards, penalties and the end

- A score that wins or ties must be entered as it is. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2))
- When the hole is lost, a blank entry or any losing number will do. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2))
- A lower score that does not change won, lost or tied brings no penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(2))
- Rule 21.3c turns this disqualification breach into the loss of the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c; Rule 6.3c)
- After penalties a player can do no worse than lose the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c)
- The hole is already lost, so stopping helps the pace of play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3b(1))
- 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)
- A stroke, then the hole, then disqualification. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c)
- This uncorrected mistake costs the hole in Par/Bogey. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3c; Rule 6.1b(2))
- Three holes won and four lost: one down overall. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a)

### Test 3: Three-Ball Match Play: order of play

- Each player plays the other two at the same time. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- One ball serves both of the player's matches. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- The opponent who should have played first may cancel it under Rule 6.4a(2). (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4b)
- The original continues in one match and a replayed ball in the other. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4b)
- Applying a Rule in one match could conflict with applying it in the other. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- Rules 1-20 for match play apply, except in the two cases of Rule 21.4. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- The same score is compared with two different opponents. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- 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))
- One ball, two matches, two results. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- 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)

### Test 4: Three-Ball Match Play: separate matches

- Each player plays two individual matches. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- There are no sides: three individual players, three matches. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- Each of the three matches is decided on its own. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- A concession is made in one match and does not carry over. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a; Rule 3.2b)
- Lifting or moving a ball or ball-marker by an opponent. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4c)
- Player 1 v 2, 1 v 3 and 2 v 3. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- 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)
- Two, three, then four players. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4; Rule 23)
- The ball farthest from the hole is played first. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 6.4a; Rule 21.4)
- The penalty applies only in the match with the player whose ball was lifted. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4c)

### Test 5: Other forms of play

- Rule 21.5 says the Rules can be adapted to many other forms of play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5)
- Section 9 of the Committee Procedures covers common other forms. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5)
- Stableford compares each hole with a target and awards points. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.1a)
- The Committee sets a maximum per hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.2a)
- Par/Bogey borrows match play scoring for a stroke-play event. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.3a)
- The other three are forms of stroke play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.4a)
- 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)
- Rules 21.1 to 21.4 in turn. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21)
- 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)
- Every player plays from the chosen ball's spot: a scramble. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 21.5)

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 21 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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