Can I practice on the course before my round?

In match play you may practice on the course before or between rounds. In stroke play you must not practice on the competition course on the day of the event before your round, except putting or chipping near the first tee, on a practice area, or on the green of the hole you just finished.

Match play vs stroke play

Rule 5.2 treats the two forms of play differently. In match play you are free to play practice shots anywhere on the competition course before your round or between rounds. In stroke play the restriction applies only on the day of the competition: you cannot make practice strokes on the course before your round starts, but you may putt or chip on or near your first teeing area, use any designated practice area, and practice on or near the putting green of the hole you just completed — even if you will play that hole again later the same day.

When the day is done

Once you have completed your final round for that day — meaning you will not play any more competition holes on the course that day — you may practice on the course. In a multi-day event, finishing the first round on day one allows practice later that day if your next round starts the following day. If you finish one round but have another round or part of a round scheduled later the same day, practicing on the course before that next round is still a breach.

Penalties and committee options

The first practice stroke in breach of Rule 5.2b in stroke play earns the general penalty (two strokes) applied to your first hole. A second breach means disqualification. Testing a putting green by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface counts as practicing and carries the same penalty; rubbing the same green multiple times is still only one breach. The Committee may adopt a Local Rule (Model Local Rule I-1) that prohibits, restricts, or allows practice on the course before or between rounds in either form of play.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Competition spans consecutive days and you are not scheduled to play on a given day → You may practice on the competition course on any day you are not scheduled to play your round.
• The competition uses only part of a facility (e.g., holes 1–9) → You may practice on the other holes (e.g., holes 10–18) earlier the same day, even if they are on the same property.
• There are two separate courses on the same property → A player competing on one course may play the other course earlier the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Can I hit a few balls on the first tee before my stroke-play round?

Yes. You may practice putting or chipping on or near your first teeing area before a stroke-play round.

What if I rub the practice green with my hand to test the speed?

That counts as practicing on the course. In stroke play on competition day it is a breach of Rule 5.2b and carries the general penalty (two strokes) on your first hole.

I finished my first round of a 36-hole event on Saturday. Can I practice on the course Saturday afternoon?

Yes, as long as your next round does not start until Sunday. You have completed your final round for that day.

Does the practice restriction apply to my caddie?

No. Rule 5.2 applies only to the player. Your caddie may practice on the course before your round.

Can the Committee ban all practice on the course before a match-play round?

Yes. The Committee may adopt Model Local Rule I-1 to prohibit, restrict, or allow practice on the course before or between rounds in either match play or stroke play.