Rule 1

In club competitions the competitor doing the stipulated course in fewest strokes shall be the winner.

Rule 2

If the lowest score be made by two or more competitors, the ties shall be decided by another round to be played either on the same day or on any other day, as the Captain, or in his absence the Secretary, shall direct.

Ruling Of The U. S. G. A

Except that By-laws 15 and 19 of the United States Golf Association provide that, in case of ties for the sixteenth place in the amateur championship medal rounds, or for the eighth place in the women's championship medal rounds, respectively, the contestants so tied shall continue to play until one or the other shall have gained a lead by strokes, the hole or holes to be played out.

Rule 3

New holes shall be made for the medal round, and thereafter no member shall play any stroke on the putting green before competing.

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Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification.

Competitors must always assume that new holes have been made, whether really made or not. Trial strokes may be played through the fair green, but no stroke may be played within twenty yards of any hole on the course where the competition takes place.

In match play competitions, other than bogey competitions, a member may play upon the putting greens.

Rule 4

The scores shall be kept by a special marker, or by the competitors noting each other's scores. The scores marked shall be checked at the finish of each hole. On the completion of the course the score of the player shall be signed by the person keeping the score and handed to the Secretary.

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Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification.

The score must be handed to the Secretary or to some person designated by the Green Committee. A caddie may not keep score, nor may an outsider (a player not in competition) playing with a competitor do so without the sanction of the club's executive.

It is commended, but not required, to mark down each stroke as played.

Rule 5

If a ball be lost, the player shall return as nearly as possible to the spot where the ball was struck, tee another ball and lose a stroke. If the lost ball be found before he has struck the other ball, the first shall continue in play.

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Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification.

Rule 6

If the player's ball strike himself or his clubs or caddie, or if in the act of playing the player strike the ball twice, the penalty shall be one stroke.

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If the player's ball strike a forecaddie, it is a "rub of the green."

Rule 7

If a competitor's ball strike the other player or his club or caddie, it is a "rub of the green," and the ball shall be played from where it lies.

Rule 8

A ball may, under a penalty of two strokes, be lifted out of a difficulty of any description, and be teed behind the same.

Rule 9

All balls shall be holed out, and when play is on the putting green the flag shall be removed, and the competitor whose ball is nearest to the hole shall have the option of holing out first, or of lifting his ball, if it be in such a position that it might, if left, give an advantage to the other competitor. Throughout the green a competitor can have the other competitor's ball lifted, if he find that it interferes with his stroke.

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Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification.

Either player may judge whether the balls as they lie give the other an advantage.

If a ball at rest be caused by any agency outside the match to roll into the hole, the ball shall not be considered as holed out in the previous stroke, but shall be replaced as nearly as possible in the same position as occupied before it was displaced.

Should a competitor hole out with a ball other than his own, he shall be disqualified, unless he can go back and resume play with his original ball, or, failing to find it, return as nearly as possible to the spot where it was last struck, tee another ball and lose a stroke. (Rule 5, Medal Play.)

Rule 10

A competitor may not play with a professional, and he may not receive advice from any one but his caddie.

A forecaddie may be employed.

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Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification.

Each competitor may have a forecaddie.

Rule 11

Competitors may not discontinue play because of bad weather.

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Penalty for breach of this rule is disqualification.

Rule 12

The penalty for a breach of any rule shall be disqualification.

Rule 13

Any dispute regarding the play shall be determined by the Green Committee.

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Such decision may be finally referred to the Executive Committee of the United States Golf Association.

Rule 14

The ordinary rules of golf, so far as they are not at variance with the special rules, shall apply to medal play.