The player with the honour tees off first. After everyone has teed off, the player whose ball is farthest from the hole plays first. The honour works differently in the two formats: in match play it goes to the winner of the last hole, and in stroke play it goes to the lowest gross score on the last hole. All of this is Rule 6.4.
The ChartWho plays first, match play and stroke play
| Situation | Match play (Rule 6.4a) | Stroke play (Rule 6.4b) |
|---|---|---|
| First tee | The honour goes by the Committee's draw order. With no draw, players decide by agreement or a random method, such as a coin toss. | The same: the Committee's draw order, or agreement or a random method if there is no draw. |
| Later tees | The winner of the previous hole has the honour. | The lowest gross score on the previous hole has the honour, then the second lowest, and so on. |
| A tied hole or tied scores | If the hole was tied, the player who had the honour keeps it. | Players who tie keep their previous order. |
| After the tee shots | The ball farther from the hole plays first. | The ball farthest from the hole should play first. |
| Balls the same distance, or distance unknown | Agreement or a random method. | Agreement or a random method. |
| Playing out of turn | No penalty. The opponent may cancel the stroke, but must do it "promptly and before either player makes another stroke." You then replay from where you hit it, when it is your turn. If the opponent does not cancel, the stroke counts. | No penalty in general. The exception: if two or more players agree to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage and one of them does, each player who made the agreement gets "the general penalty (two penalty strokes)." |
| Ready golf | Players may agree that one of them plays out of turn to save time (Rule 6.4a Exception, Rule 5.6b). | Allowed and encouraged when done in a safe and responsible way (Rule 6.4b(2)). |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 6.4 (6.4a and 6.4b); Rule 5.6b for ready golf in match play.
In stroke play, the honour uses gross scores, even in a handicap competition. Your net score does not move you up the order.
Ready golfWhen ready golf is fine
In stroke play, Rule 6.4b(2) says players are both allowed and encouraged to play out of turn in a safe and responsible way. The rule gives these examples of when it works:
- Players agree to it for convenience or to save time.
- A player's ball is a very short distance from the hole.
- A player is ready and able to play first, as long as that does not endanger, distract or interfere with any other player.
Two limits come with it. If the player whose turn it is wants to play first, the others should generally wait. And nobody should play out of turn to gain an advantage over the other players.
In match play there is no general ready golf. The route is the agreement in the Rule 6.4a Exception: if you invite your opponent to play out of turn, or agree to their request, and they do, you have given up the right to cancel their stroke.
Using itHow to use this on the course
First tee. Look at the draw sheet if there is one. If the Committee has set an order, that is the order. If not, flip a coin or agree.
Every tee after that. Match play: whoever won the last hole goes first. Stroke play: whoever had the lowest gross score goes first, then the next lowest. Write the order on the scorecard if the group keeps losing track.
After the tee shots. Walk up to your ball and take a quick look. The farthest ball plays first. If two balls look the same distance, agree or use a random method.
A provisional ball from the tee. Under Rule 6.4c, all the other players in the group make their first stroke before you play the provisional ball. Rule 6.4d covers the order when relief is taken or a provisional ball is played from somewhere other than the tee.
Pace. Rule 5.6b recommends that a player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds. Playing in order is not a reason to stand still while you wait. Be ready when it is your turn. For a time target for the round, see how long 18 holes should take.
Watch forCommon mix-ups
Using net score for the honour. In stroke play, the honour goes by gross score, even in a handicap event. In match play, the honour goes to the winner of the hole, however the strokes fall.
Thinking stroke play punishes you for playing out of turn. By default it does not. The two-stroke penalty only applies when players agreed to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage, and one of them then did.
Waiting too long to cancel in match play. An opponent who wants to cancel a stroke has to say so promptly, before either player makes another stroke. Once made, the cancellation cannot be withdrawn.
Agreeing to go out of turn, then cancelling. In match play, if you invited your opponent to play out of turn or agreed to their request, you cannot cancel the stroke.
Treating ready golf as a free-for-all. It has to be safe and responsible. If the player whose turn it is wants to play first, the others should generally wait.
For other things you can and cannot do during a round, see golf advice rules. For the lines and stakes on the course, see golf stake and line colors.
If your competition has a Local Rule or a pace of play policy that changes any of this, check with your club or committee before you tee off.
FAQQuick answers
Who tees off first on the first hole?
The player the Committee's draw puts first. If there is no draw, the players decide by agreement or a random method, such as a coin toss. That is the same in match play (Rule 6.4a) and stroke play (Rule 6.4b).
Who tees off first after the first hole?
In match play, the winner of the previous hole. If the hole was tied, whoever had the honour keeps it. In stroke play, the player with the lowest gross score on the previous hole, then the second lowest, and so on, with ties keeping their previous order.
Does my handicap change who has the honour?
No. Rule 6.4b uses gross scores to set the honour, even in handicap competitions.
Is there a penalty for hitting out of turn?
In match play, no penalty, but your opponent may cancel the stroke if they do it promptly and before either player makes another stroke. In stroke play, no penalty in general. If players agreed to play out of turn to help one of them and one of them did, each player who made the agreement gets the general penalty, which is two penalty strokes.
What is ready golf, and is it allowed?
Ready golf means playing out of turn when you are ready and others are not. In stroke play, Rule 6.4b(2) says players are both allowed and encouraged to do it in a safe and responsible way. Rule 5.6b says the same, and notes that in match play players may agree that one of them plays out of turn to save time.
What if two balls are the same distance from the hole?
Rule 6.4 says that when the distances are equal or unknown, the order is decided by agreement or a random method.