Spring is a great time of year for a golf game but admittedly our skills can be a little rusty. It is a great time then to consider playing match play versus stroke play, that way even if you make a high score on a hole you may just lose a hole rather then fall many strokes behind your playing partner. Of course you have to remember that match play and stroke play have some very different rules. It is best to get to know them as well as possible so you can benefit from them.
For example, Jean was playing with her friend Rhonda the other week and they decided to play match play. They decided that by playing that format they could focus on hitting shots and shaking off their winter rust rather than being focussed on their overall scores.
All was going well until they reached the 14th hole, a long par 4. After each hitting their tee shots they then proceeded to tj fairway where they struck their approach shots. Unexpectedly, both could not then locate their golf balls. As they were playing match play, instead of proceeding under Rule 27-1 (Ball Lost or Out of Bounds), they decided to halve the hole and move on to the next. Did they proceed properly or should they have been disqualified under the Rules of Golf?
Guess what, they were actually correct. An agreement to halve a hole being played does not of itself constitute an agreement to waive the Rules. However, had they decided to halve the hole without either player ever making a stroke they should be disqualified under Rule 1-3 (Agreement to Waive Rules) for agreeing to exclude the operation of Rule 2-1 by failing to play the stipulated round. This was revised for 2006.
So remember, Match Play can be a fun format but make sure you understand how the rules vary from those of Stroke Play. It might be the only time you actually get some help when you lose a golf ball.