Rule 6-3a

Rule 6-3a is amended to provide that the penalty for starting late, but within five minutes of the starting time, is reduced from disqualification to loss of the first hole in match play or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Previously this penalty reduction could be introduced as a condition of competition.

1. E.g. D6-3a/5 – Players start early (New).
   In stroke play, A, B and C were scheduled to start at 9:00am. Player A started at 8:58am, B started at 8:59am and C at 9:00am. Generally, A and B are subject to a penalty of DQ for failing to start at the scheduled time. However, in view of the fact that starting within five minutes after the time of starting results in a penalty of two strokes in stroke play under
   R6-3a, the penalty for starting early, but within five minutes of the starting time, should be the same.