Rule 20 - Resolving Rules Issues During Round; Rulings by Referee and Committee

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html#!ruletype=pe§ion=rule&rulenum=20

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Purpose of Rule: Rule 20 covers what you should do when you have questions about the Rules during a round, including the procedures (which differ in match play and stroke play) allowing you to protect your right to get a ruling at a later time. The Rule also covers the role of referees who are authorized to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules. Rulings from a referee or the Committee are binding on all players. 20.1 Resolving Rules Issues During Round a. You Must Avoid Unreasonable Delay You must not unreasonably delay play when seeking help with the Rules during a round. If a referee or the Committee is not available in a reasonable time to help with a Rules issue, you must decide what to do and play on. You may protect your rights by asking for a ruling in match play or by playing two balls in stroke play. b. Rules Issues in Match Play Deciding Issues by Agreement. During a round without a referee assigned to your match, you and your opponent may agree how to decide a Rules issue. The agreed outcome stands provided you and your opponent did not deliberately agree to ignore any Rule or penalty you both knew applied. Ruling Request Made Before Result of Match Is Final. When you want a referee or the Committee to decide how to apply the Rules but neither is available in a reasonable time, you may make the request for a ruling by notifying your opponent that a later ruling will be sought when a referee or the Committee becomes available. For information on making a request in time and how your ruling request will be handled by the referee or Committee. c. Rules Issues in Stroke Play No Right to Decide Rules Issues by Agreement. If a referee or the Committee is not available in a reasonable time to help with a Rules issue you have no right to decide a Rules issue by agreement and any such agreement you may reach is not binding on any player, a referee or the Committee. You should raise any Rules issues with the Committee before returning your scorecard. You Should Protect Other Players in the Competition. If you know or believe that another player has breached the Rules and does not recognize or is ignoring this, you should tell that player, the player’s marker, a referee or the Committee. You should do this promptly, and certainly before the player returns his or her scorecard. Your failure to do so could be serious misconduct resulting in disqualification. Playing Two Balls. If you are uncertain about the right procedure while playing a hole, you may complete the hole with two balls without penalty: You must decide to play two balls after the uncertain situation arises and before making a stroke. You should choose which ball will count if the Rules allow the procedure used for that ball, by announcing that choice to your marker or to another player before making a stroke. If you do not choose in time, the ball played first is treated as the ball chosen by default. You must report the facts of the situation to the Committee before returning your scorecard, even if you score the same with both balls. You are disqualified if you fail to do so. For more information on playing two balls in stroke play, including how the Committee will determine your score for the hole. 20.2 Rulings on Issues Under the Rules For information on rulings by referees, Committees, the use of the “naked eye” standard, the correction of wrong rulings and disqualification after the result of the match or competition is final. 20.3 Situations Not Covered by the Rules Any situation not covered by the Rules should be decided by the Committee.