Rule 3. Stroke Play
3-1. Winner
The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest
strokes is the winner.
3-2. Failure to Hole Out
If a competitor fails to hole out at any hole and does not correct his
mistake before he plays a stroke from the next teeing ground or, in the case
of the last hole of the round, before he leaves the putting green, he shall
be disqualified.
3-3. Doubt as to Procedure
a. Procedure
In stroke play only, when during play of a hole a competitor is doubtful
of his rights or procedure, he may, without penalty, play a second ball.
After the situation which caused the doubt has arisen, the competitor
should, before taking further action, announce to his marker or a
fellow-competitor his decision to invoke this Rule and the ball with which
he will score if the Rules permit.
The competitor shall report the facts to the Committee before returning
his score card unless he scores the same with both balls; if he fails to do
so, he shall be disqualified.
b. Determination of Score for Hole
If the Rules allow the procedure selected in advance by the competitor,
the score with the ball selected shall be his score for the hole.
If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision to invoke
this Rule or his selection, the score with the original ball or, if the
original ball is not one of the balls being played, the first ball put into
play shall count if the Rules allow the procedure adopted for such ball.
Note 1: If a competitor plays a second ball, penalty strokes incurred
solely by playing the ball ruled no to count and strokes subsequently taken
with that ball shall be disregarded.
Note 2: A second ball played under Rule 3-3 is not a provisional ball
under Rule 27-2.
3-4. Refusal to Comply with a Rule
If a competitor refuses to comply with a Rule affecting the rights of
another competitor, he shall be disqualified.
3-5. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in stroke play is two strokes except
when otherwise provided.
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