Golf Tips: Playing Order

Here's a basic concept for you new golfers out there.  But there are some details even experienced golfers may not know about the playing order.  Who hits when?  Who hits first on the first tee?  What is "honors?"  Is it different for match play? First Tee The playing order on the first tee during regular stroke play or match play is determined by a draw or lot.  In my group we do that by standing around in a circle and tossing a tee in the middle.  The player closest to where the tee points has the honor (gets to hit first).  We toss the tee until all players are selected.  Here's what the USGA says about determining the playing order:

The competitor who has the honor at the first teeing ground is determined by the order of the draw. In the absence of a draw, the honor should be decided by lot.

Playing order during a tournament when the player's names are announced is in the order that the names are announced.  This is not in the rules, but a standard practice. During Play of Hole During the play of a golf hole, the player who is farthest away is to hit first.  If two players are the same distance they will typically decide which one goes first, but if they can't it is decided by a lot again.  Sometimes it is fine for a player closer to go first, if his ball interferes with the stance or swing of another player.  He will go out of courtesy.  From the USGA:

After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball farthest from thehole is played first. If two or more balls are equidistant from the hole or their positions relative to the hole are not determinable, the ball to be played first should be decided by lot.

There is no penalty for playing out of turn, but an opponent may ask the that a player who plays out of turn play the shot again.  Here's what the USGA says about playing out of turn, usually only enforced during match play:

If a player plays when his opponent should have played, there is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke so made and, in correct order, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5).

Provisional/Penalty Balls If playing a provisional or penalty shot (as one might if the previous shot went out of bounds or in a hazards), the player hitting must play after his fellow competitor has made his first shot.

If a player plays a provisional ball or another ball from the teeing ground, he must do so after his opponent or fellow-competitor has made his first stroke. If more than one player elects to play a provisional ball or is required to play another ball from the teeing ground, the original order of play must be retained. If a player plays a provisional ball or another ball out of turn, Rule10-1c or 10-2c applies.

Do you know when to play your shot now?