ADMINISTRATION

33. The Committee


33-1.Conditions;Waiving Rule

The Committee shall play down the conditions under which a competition is to be played. The Committee has no power to waive a Rule of Golf. Certain special ules governing stroke play a e so substantially different f om those governing match play that combining the two forms of play is not p acticable and is not permitted. The results of matches played and the scores eturned in these circumstances shall not be accepted.

In stroke play the Committee may limit a r fereer’s duties.


33-2. 33 The Course

a.Defining Bounds and Margins

TThe Committee shall define accurately: (i) the course and out of bounds ,
(ii) the margins of water hazards and lateral water hazards ,
(iii) ground under repair ,and
(iv) obstructions and integral parts of the course.

b.New Holes

New holes should be made on the day on which a stroke competition begins and at such other times as the Committee considers necessary,provided all competitors in a single ound play with each hole cut in the same position. Exception:When it is impossible for a damaged hole to be epaired so that it conforms with the Definition,the Committee may make a new hole in a nearby similar position.

Note:Where a single ound is to be played on more than one day,the Committee may provide in the conditions of a competition that the holes and teeing grounds may be differently situated on each day of the competition, provided that,on any one day,all competitors play with each hole and each teeing ground in the same position.

c.Practice Ground

Where there is no practice ground available outside the area of a competition course,the Committee should play down the area on which players may practise on any day of a competition,if it is practicable to do so.On any day of a stroke competition,the Committee should not normally permit practice on or to a putting green or f om a hazard of the competition course.

d.Course Unplayable

If the Committee or its authorised epresentative considers that for any reason the course is not in a playable condition or that there are circumstances which ender the proper playing of the game impossible,it may,in match play o stroke play,order a temporary suspension of play or,in stroke play,declare play null and void and cancel all scores for the ound in question.When a ound is cancelled,all penalties incurred in that ound are cancelled. (Procedure in discontinuing and esuming play — see Rule 6-8.)


33-3. Times of Starting and Groups

The Committee shall play down the times of sta ting and,in stroke play,arrange the groups in which competitors shall play.

When a match play competition is played over an extended period,the Committee shall play down the limit of time within which each round shall be completed. When players are allowed to arrange the date of their match within these limits,the Committee should announce that the match must be played at a stated time on the last day of the period unless the players agree to a prior date.


33-4. Handicap Stroke Table

The Committee shall publish a table indicating the order of holes at which handicap strokes are to be given or received.


33-5. Score Card

In stroke play,the Committee shall issue for each competitor a score card containing the date and the competitor’s name or,in foursome or four-ball stroke play, the competitors ’names.
In stroke play,the Committee is esponsible for the addition of scores and application of the handicap ecorded on the card.
In four-ball stroke play,the Committee is esponsible for ecording the bette -ball score for each hole and in the process applying the handicaps ecorded on the card,and adding the bette -ball scores.
In bogey,par and Stableford competitions,the Committee is esponsible for applying the handicap ecorded on the card and determining the esult of each hole and the overall esult or points total.


33-6.Decision of Ties

The Committee shall announce the manner,day and time for the decision of a halved match or of a tie,whether played on level terms or under handicap.

A halved match shall not be decided by stroke play.A tie in stroke play shall not be decided by a match.


33-7. Disqualification Penalty;Committee Discretion

A penalty of disqualification may in exceptional individual cases be waived,modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted. Any penalty less than disqualification shall not be waived or modified.


33-8. Local Rules

a.Policy

The Committee may make and publish Local Rules for local abnormal conditions if they a e consistent with the policy set forth in Appendix I.

b.Waiving or Modifying a Rule

A Rule of Golf shall not be waived by a Local Rule. However, if a Committee considers that local abnormal conditions interfere with the p oper playing of the game to the extent that it is necessary to make a Local Rule which modifies the Rul s ,the Local Rule must be authorised by the Royal and Ancient Golf club of St.Andrews.


34. Disputes and Decisions


34-1. Claims and Penalties

a.Match Play

In match play if a claim is lodged with the Committee under Rule 2-5,a decision should be given as soon as possible so that the state of the match may,if necessary,be adjusted. If a claim is not made within the time limit provided by Rule 2-5,it shall not be considered unless it is based on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim and the player making the claim had been given w ong information (Rules 6-2a and 9)by an opponent.In any case,no later claim shall be considered after the esult of the match has been officially announced,unless the Committee is satisfied that the opponent knew he was giving wrong information. There is no time limit on applying the disqualification penalty for a by each of Rule 1-3.

b.Stroke Play Except as provided below,in stroke play,no penalty shall be escinded,modified or imposed after the competition has closed. A competition is deemed to have closed when the esult has been officially announced o ,in stroke play qualifying followed by match play,when the player has teed off in his first match.

Exceptions:
A penalty of disqualification shall be imposed after the competition has closed if a competitor:

(i)was in breach of Rule 1-3 (Agreement to Waive Rules); or

(ii)returned a score card on which he had ecorded a handicap which,before the competition closed,he knew was higher than that to which he was entitled, and this affected the number of strokes received (Rule 6-2b);or

(iii)returned a score for any hole lower than actually taken (Rule 6-6d)for any eason other than failure to include a penalty which,before the competition closed,he did not know he had incurred;o (iv)knew,before the competition closed,that he had been in by each of any other Rul for which the prescribed penalty is disqualification.


34-2. Referee ’s Decision

If a referee has been appointed by the Committee ,his decision shall be final.


34-3.Committee ’s Decision

In the absence of a referee ,any dispute or doubtful point on the Rules shall be referred to the Committee ,whose decision shall be final.

If the Committee cannot come to a decision,it shall efer the dispute or doubtful point to the Rules of Golf Committee of the Royal and Ancient Golf club of St. Andrews,whose decision shall be final. If the dispute or doubtful point has not been eferred to the Rules of Golf Committee,the player or playe s have the right to refer an agreed statement through the Secretary of the club to the Rules of Golf Committee for an opinion as to the correctness of the decision given.The eply will be sent to the Secretary of the club or Clubs concerned. If play is conducted other than in accordance with the Rules of Golf,the Rules of Golf Committee will not give a decision on any question.