Rules for Match Play:

All play shall be accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf/Decisions and the SMGA Local Rules. For SMGA Local Rules, please refer to Appendix C of the SMGA By-Laws.

The below explanatory material is provided as a service to golfers to familiarize themselves with some match play rules.

1. "Penalty for Breach of Rule" in match play is usually loss of the hole [2-6].
2. Preferred Lies will be used when the entire course is played cart path only, or when conditions warrant. “Preferred lies” is defined as follows: 

   A ball lying on a closely mown area through the green may be lifted, without penalty, and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within one grip-length (approximately twelve inches) of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

   A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 20-4). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it is placed, Rule 20-3d applies. If the ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.

   If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.

   Note: “Closely mown area” means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.

   PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE: Loss of hole

3. In match play, you can concede your opponent's putt at any time.  All putts must be played until the golf ball is holed or the putt is conceded by the opposing player.
4. A player may concede the match, a hole, or the next stroke (including putts). A concession may not be declined - or withdrawn [2-4]. If a hole is conceded, the player must post the most likely score he would have made on the hole.
5. Once the match is won or lost, the match is over. Each player must record a score of net par (preceded by an "X") on each hole not played during the match. Net par score is par plus handicap strokes for that hole. If players "play in" after the match is completed, the actual score on those holes is not recorded.
6. In case of doubt or dispute, a player may make a claim, but it must be done prior to any player making a stroke from the next teeing ground, or if the last hole, before all players leave the putting green. Claims not made in this manner cannot be considered. [2-5]
7. The player is obliged to inform his opponent "as soon as practicable" that he has incurred a penalty. If he gives wrong information to his opponent as to strokes taken he loses the hole. [9-2]
8. The 'away' player has the honors. If the opposing player hits out of turn, the 'away' player may require the opposing player to replay the shot in the proper order. [10-1c]
9. If your ball hits a fellow-competitor or his equipment, you have the option to replay the shot. [19-3]
10. If teeing off from outside the teeing ground, there is no stroke penalty, but your opponent can cancel your shot and require you to replay it. [11-4a]
11. A player cannot consult with or obtain information from any other player (e.g., someone accompanying you or your match for example).
12. A player may not touch his ball other than as permitted by the rules. For instance, if your ball is lying such that you cannot readily identify it, you cannot just go to it and gently turn it to see your mark. The proper procedure is that you must inform your opponent of your intention, mark and lift the ball, identify it, and replace the ball without cleaning it -- provided you allow your opponent to observe the lifting and replacing. [12-2]
13. You cannot lift (or even touch) another players ball without authority [18-3b]. Means that you cannot mark another player's ball on the green without his permission.
14. You cannot touch your ball on the putting surface to line it up unless it is properly marked. [18-3b].