Matchplay, incorrect score on a hole

[matt611]

Matchplay situation and player A has a putt for a 5 and asks his opponent how many shots he has played, to which player B responds 6. Player A lags his putt and makes 6 but then player B announces actually I have played 5 and have this for the half, what would happen?

You would like to think that both players would be able to keep score but what happens if a genuine mistake was made - I would hope neither player would knowingly give or accept the wrong score. Both players can feel aggrieved .

Thanks

 

[wjemather]

Matchplay situation and player A has a putt for a 5 and asks his opponent how many shots he has played, to which player B responds 6. Player A lags his putt and makes 6 but then player B announces actually I have played 5 and have this for the half, what would happen?

You would like to think that both players would be able to keep score but what happens if a genuine mistake was made - I would hope neither player would knowingly give or accept the wrong score. Both players can feel aggrieved .

Thanks

Rule 3.2d - the player is responsible for giving their opponent the correct score; failure to correct an error before the opponent takes their next stroke incurs the General Penalty, i.e. loss of hole.

 

[Colin L]

And when he finds this out, Player B can feel annoyed with himself instead of aggrieved.

 

[salfordlad]

At the practical level, the answer to the original question "what would happen?" depends on what occurs next.

As noted in other responses, B has breached rule 3.2d, which carries the general penalty. But the penalty is not automatic in the common circumstance of a referee not assigned to the match - A would need to seek a timely ruling, meaning before hitting off the next tee. If A has no awareness of the breach and takes no action to protect their interest, then no breach will be recorded.

 

[KenL]

Rule 3.2d - the player is responsible for giving their opponent the correct score; failure to correct an error before the opponent takes their next stroke incurs the General Penalty, i.e. loss of hole.

Is a score not how many strokes it took to finish a hole rather than during the hole?

 

[Steven Rules]

Is a score not how many strokes it took to finish a hole rather than during the hole?

The requirement is to give the right number of strokes taken. The actual wording of Rule 3.2d is:

Responsibilities of Player and Opponent
(1) Telling Opponent about Number of Strokes Taken. At any time during play of a hole or after the hole is completed, the opponent may ask the player for the number of strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes) the player has taken on the hole. This is to allow the opponent to decide how to play the next stroke and the rest of the hole, or to confirm the result of the hole just completed.
When asked for the number of strokes taken, or when giving that information without being asked:
The player must give the right number of strokes taken.
A player who fails to respond to the opponent's request is treated as giving the wrong number of strokes taken.
The player gets the general penalty (loss of hole) if he or she gives the opponent the wrong number of strokes taken, unless the player corrects that mistake in time.....

 

[KenL]

The requirement is to give the right number of strokes taken. The actual wording of Rule 3.2d is:

Responsibilities of Player and Opponent
(1) Telling Opponent about Number of Strokes Taken. At any time during play of a hole or after the hole is completed, the opponent may ask the player for the number of strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes) the player has taken on the hole. This is to allow the opponent to decide how to play the next stroke and the rest of the hole, or to confirm the result of the hole just completed.
When asked for the number of strokes taken, or when giving that information without being asked:
The player must give the right number of strokes taken.
A player who fails to respond to the opponent's request is treated as giving the wrong number of strokes taken.
The player gets the general penalty (loss of hole) if he or she gives the opponent the wrong number of strokes taken, unless the player corrects that mistake in time.....

Thanks.

 

[Steven Rules]

But the penalty is not automatic in the common circumstance of a referee not assigned to the match - A would need to seek a timely ruling, meaning before hitting off the next tee. If A has no awareness of the breach and takes no action to protect their interest, then no breach will be recorded.

The best way for players to protect their own interests in match play is to know the Rules as they pertain to match play. Spending 10-15 minutes before the match studying Rules 3.2 and 20.1b might be just as benefecial to the final result as spending 10-15 minutes knocking a ball around the practice putting green.

 

[wjemather]

Is a score not how many strokes it took to finish a hole rather than during the hole?

Or it's just the number of strokes taken (including penalties) up to the point the score is reported.

 

[matt611]

Thanks guys