Recently, two Members argued about the rules on Order of Play as they held different views. These Members therefore came forward to seek advice from the Operations Department of our Club. Actually, the rule is quite simple and straight-forward, as laid down in Rule 10 of the Rules of Golf.

In Match Play, when starting the round, the side that has the honour at the first teeing ground is determined by the order of a draw. After the players have started play of the hole, the ball farthest from the hole is to be played first.

If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke so made and play in a correct order. If there is no such request made, the ball shall remain as the ball in play and the player should continue the game from where the ball lies. He cannot ask to play again from its original spot. If he does not play upon request, he is deemed to have lost the hole. The one who has the fewest strokes will have the honour to play first for the next hole, followed by the one who has next fewer and so on.

In Stroke Play, if the player plays out of order, there is no penalty and the ball is to be played as it lies. If, however, the Committee determines that the players concerned have agreed to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage, they are disqualified.