The Rules of Golf use three penalty levels: one penalty stroke, the general penalty (loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play) and disqualification. Find the breach below to see which level it carries and what it costs in your format.
The ChartWhat each breach costs
The three levels
| Penalty | Match play | Stroke play | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-stroke penalty | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke | The potential advantage from a breach is minor, or a player takes penalty relief by playing a ball from a different place than where the original ball lies |
| General penalty | Loss of hole | Two penalty strokes | A breach of most Rules, where the potential advantage is more significant than where only one penalty stroke applies |
| Disqualification | Out of the competition | Out of the competition | Certain actions or breaches involving serious misconduct, or where the potential advantage is too significant for the score to be considered valid |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rule 1.3c(2).
Equipment
| What happened | Rule | Match play | Stroke play |
|---|---|---|---|
| A club that does not conform, or a club whose playing characteristics you deliberately changed during the round (by adjusting it or putting a substance on the clubhead), used to make a stroke | 4.1a | Disqualification | Disqualification |
| More than 14 clubs, at the start of the round or during it | 4.1b | Match score revised by deducting one hole for each hole where a breach happened, maximum two holes in the round | General penalty (two penalty strokes) for each hole where a breach happened, maximum four penalty strokes in the round |
| Making a stroke with a club another player on the course is using, or adding or replacing a club when not allowed | 4.1b(2) to 4.1b(4) | Same as for more than 14 clubs | Same as for more than 14 clubs |
| Not taking an excess club out of play before your next stroke, or making a stroke with a club you took out of play | 4.1c(1) | Disqualification | Disqualification |
| Making a stroke at a ball that does not conform, or whose performance characteristics you deliberately altered (scuffing it, heating it, applying a substance other than in cleaning it) | 4.2a | Disqualification | Disqualification |
| Using equipment in a way the Rules do not allow, such as an alignment device, measuring elevation changes, or getting a recommended club or line of play from a device | 4.3 | First breach: general penalty (loss of hole). Second breach: disqualification | First breach: general penalty (two penalty strokes). Second breach: disqualification |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.
Merely having a non-conforming club in the bag, without hitting a stroke with it, is not penalized under Rule 4.1a. It does still count toward the 14-club limit. Whether your driver or older wedges conform is covered in is my driver legal. Distance-measuring devices are covered in the rangefinder rules chart.
Starting, pace and the tee
| What happened | Rule | Match play | Stroke play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practicing on the course before a round on the day of a stroke-play competition (putting or chipping near the first teeing area, and using a practice area, are allowed) | 5.2b | No penalty. Rule 5.2a lets you practice on the course before a match-play round | General penalty applied to your first hole (two penalty strokes). An additional stroke in breach: disqualification |
| Arriving at the starting point, ready to play, no more than five minutes late | 5.3a | General penalty applied to your first hole (loss of hole) | General penalty applied to your first hole (two penalty strokes) |
| Starting no more than five minutes early | 5.3a | General penalty applied to your first hole (loss of hole) | General penalty applied to your first hole (two penalty strokes) |
| Arriving more than five minutes late, or starting more than five minutes early | 5.3a | Disqualification | Disqualification |
| Not playing in the group the Committee set, or in match play not playing each hole in the same group as your opponent | 5.4 | Disqualification | Disqualification |
| A practice stroke while playing a hole, or between holes other than putting or chipping near the green you just finished or the next teeing area | 5.5 | General penalty (loss of hole). If the breach is between two holes it applies to the next hole | General penalty (two penalty strokes). If the breach is between two holes it applies to the next hole |
| Unreasonable delay of play | 5.6a | First breach: one penalty stroke. Second: general penalty. Third: disqualification | First breach: one penalty stroke. Second: general penalty. Third: disqualification |
| Not stopping play when the Committee suspends it and you are required to stop | 5.7b | Disqualification, unless the Committee decides the failure to stop was justified | Disqualification, unless the Committee decides the failure to stop was justified |
| Playing a ball from outside the teeing area to start a hole (including from a wrong set of tee-markers) | 6.1b | No penalty, but your opponent may promptly cancel the stroke. If they do not, the stroke counts | General penalty (two penalty strokes) and you must play again from inside the teeing area. Disqualification if you do not correct it before starting another hole or returning your scorecard |
| Making a stroke at a ball on a non-conforming tee, or teed in a way not allowed | 6.2b(2) | First breach: general penalty. Second breach: disqualification | First breach: general penalty. Second breach: disqualification |
| Moving a tee-marker before your stroke to improve the conditions | 6.2b(4), 8.1a | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Making a stroke at an incorrectly substituted ball | 6.3b(3) | One penalty stroke, then play out the hole with that ball | One penalty stroke, then play out the hole with that ball |
| Making a stroke at a wrong ball | 6.3c(1) | General penalty (loss of hole). If you and your opponent played each other's ball and it is not known who went first, no penalty and the balls are exchanged | General penalty (two penalty strokes). The strokes with the wrong ball do not count. Disqualification if you do not correct it before starting another hole or returning your scorecard |
| Playing out of turn | 6.4a(2), 6.4b | No penalty, but your opponent may promptly cancel the stroke | No penalty. But if players agree to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage and one then does, each who made the agreement gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes) |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 5 and 6.
A late or early start is not penalized if the Committee decides exceptional circumstances prevented you from starting on time (Rule 5.3a, Exception 3). A start delayed for weather, slow play ahead or a ruling is not a breach if you are present and ready when your group can start.
On the course
| What happened | Rule | Match play | Stroke play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Playing a ball without re-creating the original lie after you moved sand that affected it while searching | 7.1b | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Improving the conditions affecting your stroke by moving, bending or breaking attached objects, building a stance, changing the ground, pressing down sand or soil, or removing dew, frost or water | 8.1a | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Deliberately altering other physical conditions to affect your own ball at rest or stroke (Rule 8.2), or another player's (Rule 8.3) | 8.2, 8.3 | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Asking for or giving advice, or touching another player's clubs or bag to learn what they are using | 10.2a | General penalty (loss of hole) (applied to the hole being played or just completed, or to the next hole if between holes) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) (applied to the hole being played or just completed, or to the next hole if between holes) |
| Setting an object down to help you aim or take your stance, such as a club on the ground | 10.2b(3) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Your caddie standing behind you on the line of play to help you aim once you begin taking your stance | 10.2b(4) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Making a stroke with a person or object deliberately placed to give you shade, shelter or fewer distractions | 10.2b(5) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Being helped by more than one caddie at the same time | 10.3a | General penalty (loss of hole) for each hole where it happens | General penalty (two penalty strokes) for each hole where it happens |
| Anchoring the club | 10.1b | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes). The stroke counts |
| Making a stroke with a foot deliberately on each side of, or touching, the line of play or its extension behind the ball | 10.1c | General penalty (loss of hole). No penalty if the stance is accidental or taken to avoid another player's line of play | General penalty (two penalty strokes). No penalty if the stance is accidental or taken to avoid another player's line of play |
| Making a stroke at a moving ball | 10.1d | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes). The stroke counts |
| Touching sand in a bunker before the stroke to test it, or with a club right in front of or behind the ball, in a practice swing or in the backswing | 12.2b(1) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Deliberately deflecting or stopping any ball in motion | 11.2b | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Deliberately removing objects or altering conditions to affect where a ball in motion comes to rest | 11.3 | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Playing your ball from a wrong place | 14.7a | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes). If it was a serious breach and you do not correct it before starting another hole or returning your scorecard, disqualification (Rule 14.7b) |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 14.
For advice rules in detail, see golf advice rules.
Lifting, dropping and relief
| What happened | Rule | Match play | Stroke play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifting a ball to identify it when not reasonably necessary, lifting without marking the spot, or cleaning it when not allowed | 7.3 | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Lifting or deliberately touching your ball at rest, or causing it to move (unless an exception applies) | 9.4b | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Lifting a ball to replace it without marking the spot, marking it the wrong way, or making a stroke with the ball-marker left in place | 14.1a | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Cleaning a lifted ball when not allowed (replace it) | 14.1c | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Your caddie lifting your ball when not allowed to | 14.1b, 9.4 | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Playing a ball that was replaced by someone not allowed to replace it, or replaced the wrong way on the right spot | 14.2b | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Playing from the right place in sand without re-creating the original lie | 14.2d(1) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Not dropping again after a wrong-way drop: playing the ball from within the relief area | 14.3b(4) | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Not dropping again after a wrong-way drop: playing the ball from outside the relief area, or after placing it when it had to be dropped | 14.3b(4) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Deliberately removing a loose impediment that would likely have moved your ball, before replacing a ball you lifted or moved | 15.1, Exception 1 | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Lifting your ball to see if relief is allowed without a reasonable belief that it is | 16.4 | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Back-on-the-line relief outside a bunker from an abnormal course condition | 16.1c(2) | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Taking penalty area relief (stroke and distance, back on the line, or lateral relief for red) | 17.1d | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| A ball you played from a penalty area comes to rest in a penalty area. You take stroke-and-distance relief by dropping a ball in the penalty area, then decide not to play it and take relief outside the penalty area | 17.2a(1) | Two penalty strokes in total | Two penalty strokes in total |
| Ball lost or out of bounds | 18.2b | One penalty stroke, and you play again from where the previous stroke was made | One penalty stroke, and you play again from where the previous stroke was made |
| Stroke-and-distance relief taken at any time | 18.1 | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Unplayable ball in the general area or on the putting green (any of the three options) | 19.2 | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Unplayable ball in a bunker: stroke and distance, or back on the line or lateral relief in the bunker | 19.3a | One penalty stroke | One penalty stroke |
| Unplayable ball in a bunker: back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker | 19.3b | Two penalty strokes in total | Two penalty strokes in total |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
The drop areas and options behind these costs are in the golf relief cheat sheet.
The putting green
| What happened | Rule | Match play | Stroke play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your ball played from the putting green hits another ball at rest on the green (both were on the green before the stroke) | 11.1a | No penalty | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Taking actions beyond what is reasonable to repair the putting green, such as making a pathway to the hole | 13.1c, 8.1a | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Testing the putting green, or a wrong green, by rubbing the surface or rolling a ball during the round (allowed between two holes) | 13.1e | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Deliberately moving the flagstick off-center to gain an advantage, and the ball hits it | 13.2a(1) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| Moving or removing the flagstick after your stroke to affect where your ball comes to rest | 13.2a(3) | General penalty (loss of hole) | General penalty (two penalty strokes) |
| A ball overhanging the hole falls in after the waiting time (a reasonable time to reach the hole, then ten more seconds) | 13.3a | Holed with the previous stroke, plus one penalty stroke added to the score for the hole | Holed with the previous stroke, plus one penalty stroke added to the score for the hole |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 8, 11 and 13.
More on the green is in the putting green rules guide.
Scorecard and conduct
| What happened | Rule | Match play | Stroke play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Returning a scorecard with a score lower than your actual score on any hole, or with no score on a hole | 3.3b(3) | Does not apply | Disqualification. A returned score higher than your actual score stands |
| Not certifying your hole scores, or not returning the scorecard as the Rules require | 3.3b(2) | Does not apply | Disqualification |
| Not holing out at a hole and not correcting it before starting another hole or returning your scorecard | 3.3c | Does not apply | Disqualification in regular stroke play (Rules 21.1 to 21.3 cover other forms) |
| Giving your opponent the wrong number of strokes taken and not correcting it in time | 3.2d(1) | General penalty (loss of hole) | Does not apply |
| Not telling your opponent about a penalty as soon as reasonably possible, when they did not already know and you do not correct it before they make another stroke | 3.2d(2) | General penalty (loss of hole) | Does not apply |
| Declaring a handicap that is too high, when it changes the strokes given or received | 3.2c(1) | Disqualification (no penalty if the strokes do not change) | Does not apply |
| Agreeing with your opponent to concede holes to shorten the match, knowing that is not allowed | 3.2b(1) | Disqualification | Does not apply |
| Knowing you breached a Rule with a penalty and deliberately not applying it | 1.3b(1) | Disqualification | Disqualification |
| Agreeing with another player to ignore a Rule or penalty you know applies, when any of you has started the round | 1.3b(1) | Disqualification (even before acting on the agreement) | Disqualification (even before acting on the agreement) |
| Serious misconduct contrary to the spirit of the game | 1.2a | The Committee may disqualify you | The Committee may disqualify you |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 1.2, 1.3 and 3.
If a hole score on your card is lower than your actual score only because you left out penalty strokes you did not know about, you are not disqualified. The Committee adds the strokes, if the mistake is found before the close of the competition. This does not apply when the penalty you left out was disqualification, or when you were told a penalty might apply or were unsure and did not raise it with the Committee before returning the card (Rule 3.3b(3)).
Looks like a penalty, is not one
| What happened | Rule | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Your ball in motion accidentally hits a person, you, or equipment | 11.1a | No penalty (in stroke play, hitting another ball at rest on the green from the green is the exception, see the green section) |
| Accidentally moving your ball while searching for it or identifying it | 7.4 | No penalty. If you cause the ball to move before you start to search, it is one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b |
| Accidentally moving your ball or ball-marker on the putting green | 13.1d(1) | No penalty. Replace the ball or mark the spot |
| Striking the sand in a bunker in frustration or anger, digging in your feet, smoothing the bunker, or leaning on a club | 12.2b(2) | No penalty, unless your actions improve the conditions affecting your stroke (Rule 8.1a) |
| A practice swing with no intent to strike a ball | 5.5a | Not a practice stroke, so no penalty |
| Your ball hits a flagstick you left in the hole | 13.2a(2) | No penalty, except as provided in 13.2a(1) |
| Playing out of turn in stroke play | 6.4b | No penalty (ready golf is encouraged), except by an agreement to give someone an advantage |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Rules 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13.
Using itHow to use this chart
Find the breach in its group, then read across to the column for the format you are playing. If a cell says disqualification, there is no smaller option. If it says general penalty, that is loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play.
Use the rule number to look up the full text on the R&A's Rules of Golf pages. Many rules have exceptions that are too long for a chart, so check the exception line for your case.
Your Committee can change some of these through Local Rules, for example on practice before or between rounds (Rule 5.2) and on pace of play, where a Pace of Play Policy may set its own penalties (Rule 5.6b(3)). The scorecard or the pro shop will tell you.
Watch forCommon mix-ups
Waiting for someone to notice. Players apply their own penalties. If you know you breached a Rule with a penalty and deliberately do not apply it, you are disqualified (Rule 1.3b(1)).
Forgetting to tell your opponent. In match play you must tell your opponent about a penalty as soon as reasonably possible, even if you did not know about it. If you do not, and do not correct it before they make another stroke, you lose the hole, unless they knew about the penalty (Rule 3.2d(2)).
Counting relief as a breach. One penalty stroke for relief is the cost of the option you chose, not a mistake. It is always added on top of any other penalty (Rule 1.3c(4)).
Thinking two strokes and loss of hole are different penalties. They are the same level, the general penalty, expressed in each format's currency.
FAQQuick answers
What is the penalty for playing the wrong ball?
In match play it is the general penalty, loss of hole. In stroke play it is two penalty strokes, the strokes made with the wrong ball do not count, and you must go back and play your own ball. If you do not correct it before you start another hole, or before you return your scorecard on the last hole, you are disqualified (Rule 6.3c(1)).
What happens if I start with 15 clubs?
You must take the extra club out of play before your next stroke. In match play the score is adjusted by one hole for each hole where a breach happened, up to two holes. In stroke play it is two penalty strokes per hole, up to four. If you then hit with a club you took out of play, it is disqualification (Rules 4.1b and 4.1c(1)).
What is the difference between a one-stroke penalty and the general penalty?
A one-stroke penalty adds one stroke in both match play and stroke play. The general penalty is loss of hole in match play and two strokes in stroke play. The Rules use one stroke where the advantage is minor, or where you take relief from a different place (Rule 1.3c(2)).
What does a lost ball or an out-of-bounds ball cost?
One penalty stroke, and you play again from where you hit the previous shot (Rule 18.2b). The full steps, including the provisional ball, are in the lost ball and provisional ball guide.
What if I break two rules at once?
If you breach several Rules, or the same Rule several times, between two intervening events (completing a stroke, or becoming aware of a breach), you get only one penalty, and the higher one if they differ. A breach after one of those events is penalized separately. Penalty strokes for taking relief, such as under Rules 17.1, 18.1 and 19.2, are always added on top (Rule 1.3c(4)).
Is touching the sand in a bunker always a penalty?
No. The penalty applies to the specific actions in Rule 12.2b(1): testing the sand, touching it with a club right in front of or behind the ball, in a practice swing or in the backswing. Smoothing the bunker, digging in your feet and leaning on a club are not penalties. See bunker rules in plain English.