All: 

Don’t ruin your game by being DQ’d, enjoy reading how not to…

There are several ways a player can be disqualified in a golf tournament, most are lapses in judgment, not outright cheating. 

1.  Have more than 14 clubs in your bag.  Breaching Rule 4.1b(1) is a two stroke  penalty per hole in Stroke play for a maximum of two holes, 4 strokes.  Once you realize you have too many clubs you must declare them out of play immediately or be disqualified.  

• Signing an incorrect scorecard.  The Tournament Committee is responsible for adding the scores and putting the correct handicap for each player on the scorecard but if you sign for a lower score, you will be disqualified, Rule 3.3b (2).

• Agreeing to ignore a Rule or penalty.  If two or more players agree to ignore a Rule or penalty that they know should be enforced, they will be disqualified.  Rule 1.3b (1).

• Playing starting a hole from outside the teeing area.  Breaching Rule 6.2b in Stroke play incurs a two stroke penalty and the player must correct and play a ball from inside the teeing area.  If the player fails to correct and finishes that hole and proceeds to make a stroke to begin the next hole they will be disqualified.   

• Playing a Wrong ball.  If you play a wrong ball and finish the hole with that ball and then tee off at the next hole you will be disqualified. Rule 6.3c.

• Standards of Player Conduct, Rule 1.2.   If you disagree with the course set up and move the tee markers or boundary stakes you will be disqualified.  If you endanger the other players by throwing clubs or constantly disrupting play with vulgar or offensive language you may be disqualified.  Also, if you deliberately distract other players while they are making a stroke you may be disqualified.

• Playing from a Wrong place, Rule 14.7b (1).  A “serious breach” of this Rule is when a player gets a “significant advantage” over making a stroke from the right place.  For example, when a player takes a drop when their ball goes into a penalty area (e.g. a water hazard) which is marked with yellow stakes but takes a drop on the wrong side of the hazard as if the hazard is marked with red stakes.  They must drop on the side closer to where they last played NOT drop a ball on the far side, closer to the hole.  They have a serious advantage in distance and must correct and play from the right place.  If they do not correct before making a stroke to begin another hole the player is disqualified.  (Smaller breaches when very small distances are involved incur a two stroke  penalty, not disqualification.) 

• A participant in a Stroke play competition is not allowed to practice on the course on the day of the competition and will be disqualified Rule 5.2b.

• Finally, and probably the most well-known example for disqualification, “failure to sign your scorecard.” This has become a very contentious issue in the world of Golf Rules and in 2023 the R&A and the USGA introduced a Local Rule, L-1 to allow a player who does not sign their scorecard to be assessed a two stroke penalty NOT disqualification.  The R&A and USGA are testing the use of this Local Rule, L1  until 2027 when they will decide if it will become a permanent Rule penalty change.  Be very certain that any competition you play the Committee has allowed this Local Rule L-1 to be in effect for the tournament, if not you will be disqualified if you fail to sign your scorecard.  

I hope this helps you.

Hilary