Section 7: Violations & Penalties
General Penalty
Under the Rules of Golf 2023, the general penalty is defined as: two strokes in stroke play, and loss of hole in match play. Unless a specific Rule provides for a different penalty, the general penalty applies (Rule 1.3c(4)).
One-Stroke Penalties
- Stroke-and-distance relief (Rule 18.1): One penalty stroke for taking relief and returning to the spot of the previous stroke (applies to lost ball, out of bounds, or when chosen as relief option).
- Penalty area relief options (Rule 17.1d): One penalty stroke for taking back-on-the-line or lateral relief from a penalty area.
- Unplayable ball relief (Rule 19.2/19.3): One penalty stroke for taking any of the three standard unplayable ball options (two strokes for the extra unplayable option outside a bunker in Rule 19.3b).
- Accidentally moving ball during search (Rule 7.4): No penalty (changed from one-stroke penalty in 2019).
- Ball marker moved (Rule 14.1b): One penalty stroke if the ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player or their equipment during marking or lifting.
- Failing to mark ball before lifting (Rule 14.1): One penalty stroke.
- Substituting wrong ball (Rule 6.3c): One penalty stroke for playing the wrong ball; the player must correct the error before making a stroke from the next teeing area or the round is over.
Two-Stroke / Loss of Hole Penalties (General Penalty)
- Improving conditions affecting the stroke (Rule 8.1a): Two strokes/loss of hole for moving, bending, or breaking objects growing or fixed, pressing down sand or soil, or removing or pressing down divots.
- Playing from wrong place (Rule 14.7): Two strokes/loss of hole. In stroke play, if the error gives a significant advantage, the player is disqualified.
- Touching sand in a bunker before the stroke (Rule 12.2b): Two strokes/loss of hole.
- Playing a wrong ball (Rule 6.3c): Two strokes/loss of hole (the strokes made with the wrong ball do not count).
- Giving or asking for advice in breach of Rule 10.2: Two strokes/loss of hole.
- Failing to start on time (Rule 5.3a): Two strokes/loss of hole for being late but within five minutes of the starting time; disqualification if more than five minutes late.
- Excess clubs (Rule 4.1b(1)): Two strokes per hole at which the breach occurred, maximum of four strokes (two holes) per round. Player must immediately declare the excess club out of play.
- Anchoring the club during a stroke (Rule 10.1c): Two strokes/loss of hole.
- Standing astride or on line of play (Rule 10.1b): Two strokes/loss of hole.
Disqualification
- Wrong score on scorecard lower than actual (Rule 3.3b(3)): Disqualification.
- Failure to return scorecard (Rule 3.3b(2)): Disqualification.
- Late start by more than five minutes (Rule 5.3a): Disqualification.
- Using non-conforming equipment (Rule 4.1a, 4.2a): Disqualification.
- Agreeing with another player to waive the Rules (Rule 1.3b): Disqualification for both players.
- Signing scorecard while knowingly recording lower score (Rule 3.3b): Disqualification.
- Serious misconduct contrary to spirit of game (Rule 1.2b): Disqualification at Committee's discretion.
- Playing from wrong place with significant advantage in stroke play (Rule 14.7b): Disqualification.
No Penalty Situations (Notable Changes Since 2019)
- Ball hits unattended flagstick in hole (Rule 13.2a) — no penalty (was two strokes in stroke play prior to 2019).
- Accidentally moving ball during search (Rule 7.4) — no penalty (was one stroke prior to 2019).
- Accidentally moving ball on putting green (Rule 13.1d) — no penalty (was one stroke prior to 2019).
- Ball moved by natural forces (Rule 9.3) — no penalty; play ball from new position (exception: on putting green, replace if ball moved after being marked and lifted).
- Double-hitting the ball (Rule 10.1a) — one stroke counts for the swing; no additional penalty (prior to 2019, a one-stroke penalty was added).