Practice during a round of golf

IITYWYBMAD

I was playing at the weekend, stableford comp, and a playnig partner of mine hit his approach to 20 feet on the second. From there he duffed his chip and then played his fourth to about 3 feet, eventually ending up with a 5. We all finisherd out the hole, and he returned to where he had played the duff from and proceded to practice his chip again.

I pointed out to him that I did not think practicing during a stableford/non-matchplay game was allowed, but he seemed ignorant of the fact. Is there such a ruling? And what are the penalties, if such a rule exists?

heavyballs

it's early so i 'm too lazy to check for sure,but it's a defo penalty of i think 2 shots,i presume that's a 2 shot peno for that hole regardless of how many practice strokes he had on that hole

Jasonw

no. there's no penalty as long as he is not unduly delaying play. Once a ball is holed it is not in play until a stroke has been made from the next teeing ground. as his ball was out of play and providing he wasn't unduly delaying play he was entitled to practice on or near the hole last played or at the next teeing ground.

The committee may disallow such behavior in the conditions of competition see rule 7-2

f22

It's my understanding that practice shots/putts are prohibited in strokeplay competition?

brianrcarney

7-2. During Round
A player must not make a practice stroke during play of a hole. Between the play of two holes, a player must not make a practice stroke, except that he may practice putting or chipping on or near:

(a) the putting green of the hole last played,
(b) any practice putting green, or
(c) the teeing ground of the next hole to be played in the round,

provided a practice stroke is not made from a hazard and does not unduly delay play (Rule 6-7).

Strokes made in continuing the play of a hole, the result of which has been decided, are not practice strokes.

Mister Sifter

Going by rule 7-2, it's perfectly acceptable to practice chipping or putting after you've finished a hole. There is a note to the rule though that allows a committee to prohibit such practice in competition. I'm not aware of any that do though.

From the rule book:

7-2. During Round
A player must not make a practice stroke during play of a hole.
Between the play of two holes a player must not make a practice
stroke, except that he may practise putting or chipping on or near:
a. the putting green of the hole last played,
b. any practice putting green, or
c. the teeing ground of the next hole to be played in the round,
provided a practice stroke is not made from a hazard and does not
unduly delay play (Rule 6-7).
Strokes made in continuing the play of a hole, the result of which has
been decided, are not practice strokes.
Rule 7 / 8
Exception: When play has been suspended by the Committee, a player
may, prior to resumption of play, practise (a) as provided in this Rule,
(b) anywhere other than on the competition course and (c) as
otherwise permitted by the Committee.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 7-2:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.
In the event of a breach between the play of two holes, the penalty
applies to the next hole.
Note 1: A practice swing is not a practice stroke and may be taken at
any place, provided the player does not breach the Rules.
Note 2: The Committee may, in the conditions of a competition
(Rule 33-1), prohibit:
(a) practice on or near the putting green of the hole last played, and
(b) rolling a ball on the putting green of the hole last played.

IITYWYBMAD

Thanks. It seems that if the committe does not prohibit it, it's perfectly fine. Thanks for the clarification.

DubGF

I was always under the impression that no practice shots at all were allowed (except for putting in match play)

What is the rules on playing a couple of holes prior to a competitive round? On the same course obviously..

Jasonw

Allowed in matchplay - not allowed in strokeplay unless the comp. committee allow it.

All the rules are available online as well as the decisions on the rules at www.randa.co.uk

also, there's always free rulebooks left in most clubhouses. A lot of people could do with picking one up and having a browse instead of relying on 'it's my understanding'