Golf Rule 31: Four-ball stroke play

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Rule 31: Four-ball stroke play

One of the official 34 Rules of Golf.

31-1: General

The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the following specific Rules, apply to three-ball, best-ball and four-ball matches.

31-2: Representation of Side

A side may be represented by either partner for all or any part of a stipulated round; both partners need not be present. An absent competitor may join his partner between holes, but not during play of a hole.

31-3: Scoring

The marker is required to record for each hole only the gross score of whichever partner’s score is to count. The gross scores to count must be individually identifiable; otherwise, the side is disqualified. Only one of the partners need be responsible for complying with Rule 6-6b.

(Wrong score – see Rule 31-7a)

31-4: Order of Play

Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best.

31-5: Wrong Ball

If a competitor is in breach of Rule 15-3b for making a stroke at a wrong ball, he incurs a penalty of two strokes and must correct his mistake by playing the correct ball or by proceeding under the Rules. His partner incurs no penalty, even if the wrong ball belongs to him.
If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, its owner must place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was first played.
(Placing and Replacing – see Rule 20-3)

31-6: Penalty to Side

A side is penalised for a breach of any of the following by any partner:
Rule 4 - Clubs
Rule 6-4 - Caddie
Any Local Rule or Condition of Competition for which there is a maximum penalty per round.

31-7: Disqualification Penalties

a) Breach by One Partner
A side is disqualified from the competition if either partner incurs a penalty of disqualification under any of the following:
Rule 1-3 - Agreement to Waive Rules
Rule 3-4 - Refusal to Comply with a Rule
Rule 4 - Clubs
Rule 5-1 or 5-2 - The Ball
Rule 6-2b - Handicap
Rule 6-4 - Caddie
Rule 6-6b - Signing and Returning Score Card
Rule 6-6d - Wrong Score for Hole
Rule 6-7 - Undue Delay; Slow Play
Rule 7-1 - Practice Before or Between Rounds
Rule 10-2c - Sides Agree to Play Out of Turn
Rule 11-1 - Teeing
Rule 14-3 - Artificial Devices, Unusual Equipment and Unusual Use of Equipment
Rule 22-1 - Ball Assisting Play
Rule 31-3 - Gross Scores to Count Not Individually Identifiable
Rule 33-7 - Disqualification Penalty Imposed by Committee

b) Breach by Both Partners
A side is disqualified from the competition:
(i) if each partner incurs a penalty of disqualification for a breach of Rule 6-3 (Time of Starting and Groups) or Rule 6-8 (Discontinuance of Play), or
(ii) if, at the same hole, each partner is in breach of a Rule the penalty for which is disqualification from the competition or for a hole.

c) For the Hole Only
In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in disqualification, the competitor is disqualified only for the hole at which the breach occurred.

31-8: Effect of Other Penalties

If a competitor’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play, the partner incurs the applicable penalty in addition to any penalty incurred by the competitor.
In all other cases where a competitor incurs a penalty for breach of a Rule, the penalty does not apply to his partner.

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