Hey, Dufus. You can't do that !!!

[Gary Hill]

When you observe an action that you think may have breached the Rules of Golf, what is the correct procedure for making a claim in: 1. Match play 2. Stroke play.

[broken27]

Stroke Play, personally I'd notify the other player that I noticed something amiss, and then consult with the nearest official.

Match Play, it's go time!!! How dare you cheat in a head-to-head event!!! (Would likely do the same, although maybe there would be a need for my opponent to play a second ball or something of the sort, depending on the case. That stuff I'm not entirely clear on...

Mind you, I'm not in competitive situations all that often....

If scorecard signing was an issue, I simply would not sign off on it until an official had passed a verdict...

Dan

[spidey]

I'm a bit rusty since I haven't re-read the rules yet this year, but...

1 - Match Play. The basis of match play is that both players know the status of the match at the beginning of every hole. If the claim is not brought by the time competitors tee off on the next hole, then the claim lapses.

There are a couple of exceptions to this, but they're not all that common.

2 - Stroke Play. The players score is not official until he signs his card. A fellow competitor can make a claim anytime and should do so in such a way as the player has an opportunity to correct his scorecard before he signs it. To make a claim, a fellow competitor only has to bring the issue to the attention of an official and it would be sporting to mention to the player concerned. Claims can be made after the scorecards are signed, but not after the competition has closed (ie. the cup has been awarded).

close?