Section 7: Violations & Penalties
One-Ball Rule Breach
Stroke play: 2 strokes per hole at which a breach occurred; maximum 4 strokes per round.
14-Club Limit Breach
Stroke play: 2 strokes per hole at which the breach occurred; maximum 4 strokes per round.
Pace of Play
- First bad time: warning
- Second bad time: one-stroke penalty
- Third bad time: two-stroke penalty (additional)
- Fourth bad time: disqualification
Equipment Standards Breach
A breach of the Equipment Standards (non-conforming driver, non-conforming ball) is disqualification under Rule 4.1a.
Player Conduct
The PGA of America Player Conduct Policy applies. Misconduct categories include:
- Disrespectful conduct toward officials, fellow players, caddies, spectators, or volunteers
- Profanity audible to others
- Throwing or damaging clubs in a manner that may be unsafe
- Conduct that brings the championship into disrepute
Sanctions range from warning to disqualification; serious misconduct may also trigger LPGA / PGA of America disciplinary review extending to ineligibility for future championships.
Scorecard Errors
- Returning a card with a hole score lower than actually made: disqualification (Rule 3.3b)
- Returning a card with a hole score higher than actually made: the higher score stands
- Failure to sign the card, or failure of the marker to attest: disqualification
Late Arrival
- Up to 5 minutes late at the tee: 2-stroke penalty (Rule 5.3a exception)
- More than 5 minutes late: disqualification (Rule 5.3a)