RULES
KNOW your
RULES
In the latest in our series of scenarios that apply to everyday golfers and what the correct procedures are
THE Situation
Gary Player had just finished the 12th hole at Lost City Golf Course on the day of his 90th birthday when the hooter went. The familiar Highveld thunderstorms had arrived a little earlier than forecast on the opening day of the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational, played on the two Sun City courses, and action was required.
South Africans, especially those living inland, are often affected by breaks in play.
When David Frost won the 1989 Nedbank Golf Challenge, play had been suspended on the Friday afternoon. One reporter wrote the following: 'First there was thunder. Then there was lightning. Then there was torrential rain. And, finally, there was Frost.
Rain at this time of year is a frequent visitor to golf courses, again mainly inland. Only last month the final round of the Fortress Invitational at Glendower was suspended due to lightning, but many events – professional and amateur and social rounds – are similarly affected.
Apart from the Gary & Vivienne Player Invitational, Fortress Invitational, the Limpopo Championship (Euphoria Golf & LIfestyle Estate), and the Vodacom Origins Of Golf (Parys), are among those recently affected.
What must you do if you're in the middle of a hole out on the golf course and you hear the hooter / horn sound. This signals a suspension of play, with different horn blasts indicating whether the suspension is immediate and dangerous or a standard break.
THE RULE
RULE 5.7a & 5.7b
5.7: Stopping Play; Resuming Play
5.7a: When Players May or Must Stop Play
During a round, a player must not stop play except in these cases:
- Suspension by Committee. All players must stop play if the Committee suspends play.
- Stopping Play by Agreement in Match Play. Players in a match may agree to stop play for any reason, except if doing so delays the competition.
- Individual Player Stopping Play Because of Lightning. A player may stop play if they reasonably believe there is danger from lightning, but must report to the Committee as soon as possible.
5.7 b: What Players Must Do When Committee Suspends Play
There are two types of Committee suspensions of play, each with different requirements for when players must stop play (see extended Rule 5.7b explanation)
- Immediate Suspension (such as when there is imminent danger): A player must not make another stroke until play resumes.
- Normal Suspension (such as for darkness or unplayable course): If between holes, players may not play on; but if already playing a hole, players can complete the hole or stop play immediately.
THE PENALTY
Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.7b: Disqualification.
HEARING THE HOOTER
One prolonged note: Immediate suspension of play. This is used for imminent danger, most commonly lightning. You must stop play at once, mark your ball, and seek shelter immediately.
Two or three short notes: Resume play. This is the 'all-clear' signal given by the Committee after the dangerous weather has passed. You should not resume play before this signal is given.
Three consecutive notes: Normal suspension of play. This is for non-dangerous situations, such as darkness or an unplayable course. Some tournament committees use three notes instead of one prolonged note for this.
NOTE: This is an abridged guide to the rules. Players are advised to read the full rules at HERE
WIN!
Stand a chance to win Cobra Puma apparel.
Simply select the correct answer to this question and you’ll go into the draw for this fantastic giveaway.
Question:In strokeplay, a player hits a shot into a greenside bunker. The player hits the ball out of the bunker and it comes to rest just short of the green. The player removes the sand that landed both on the green and off the green using a towel as it was on their line of play.
What is the ruling?- No penalty
- One stroke penalty
- Two stroke penalty
Closing date: 26 December 2025
enter now
Rules competition with cobra/puma golf
Up for grabs in December: A PUMA top-and-bottom apparel set.
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congratulations
ERNST KRUGER from Pretoria on winning a Cobra KING Wedge in November's competition.
Question: In matchplay the starting time is 8am and player A arrives at the starting point ready to play at 8:02 am and the opponent, player B, arrives ready to play at 8:04 am.
What is the ruling?
- Player A wins the hole as that player was there first
- Both players are disqualified
- The first hole is tied and the match starts on the second hole all square
To feature in the mag, simply email us an interesting tale involving a rule at your club that is worth discussing, and we’ll make it happen. Get in touch with us at contact@thegolfmag.co.za
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