Can I practice during a suspension of play?
Yes, you can practice during a suspension of play, but only in specific places. You may practice anywhere off the course, on the putting green of the hole just completed, any practice green, or the next teeing area — plus anywhere the Committee specifically allows. If it's a match stopped by agreement and not resuming today, you can practice anywhere on the course.
Where you can practice during a suspension
When play is suspended under Rule 5.7a, Rule 5.5c lets you make practice strokes in three situations. First, anywhere outside the course boundaries — the range, a practice ground, even the parking lot. Second, the same spots allowed between holes under Rule 5.5b: the putting green of the hole you just finished, any practice green, and the teeing area of the next hole (but never from a bunker, and never if it unreasonably delays play). Third, anywhere on the course the Committee has expressly permitted for practice during the suspension.
When the suspension ends and play resumes
The extra permissions vanish the moment the Committee resumes play. Interpretation 5.5c/1 makes this clear: once the round is restarted, every player who had already started is back under the normal Rule 5.5b restrictions. So if play was suspended for the day and resumes at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, you cannot roll putts on the fairway or hit chips from the rough while waiting for your tee time — only the between-holes spots in Rule 5.5b remain legal.
Match play exception: stopped by agreement
If a match is stopped because both players agree to stop and it will not be resumed on the same day, the restrictions disappear completely. Before the match resumes, either player may practice anywhere on the course without limitation. This only applies to match play stopped by mutual agreement, not to stroke play or to suspensions ordered by the Committee.
Exceptions that change the answer
- Match stopped by agreement of the players and will not resume the same day → Players may practice anywhere on the course without restriction before the match resumes
- Committee designates specific areas on the course for practice during the suspension → Those areas become permitted practice zones in addition to the standard off-course and Rule 5.5b locations
- Play is resumed by the Committee after a suspension → All extra practice permissions end immediately; only Rule 5.5b (between-holes practice) applies
Frequently asked questions
Can I hit balls on the driving range during a weather delay?
Yes. The driving range is outside the course, so you may practice there freely during any suspension of play under Rule 5.5c.
Can I chip on the green I just finished while waiting for play to resume?
Yes. The putting green of the hole just completed is explicitly allowed under Rule 5.5b, which applies during a suspension via Rule 5.5c.
What if the Committee says we can practice on the fairway during the delay?
Then you may practice on the fairway. Rule 5.5c permits practice anywhere on the course that the Committee specifically allows.
Does this apply if my match is stopped because we both agree to quit for the day?
Yes, but with a twist: if the match won't resume today, you and your opponent may practice anywhere on the course without any restrictions before you resume.
What happens if I make a practice stroke somewhere not allowed during a suspension?
You get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. If the breach happens between two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole.