What happens if I give advice to another player during a round?

Yes, giving advice to another competitor during a round costs you the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play (Rule 10.2a). The penalty applies to the hole you're playing if it happens mid-hole, or the next hole if you're between holes. You can only advise your partner in team formats. (Blind golfers have a separate exception allowing advice from both an aide and a caddie — see Can a blind golfer get advice from both an aide and a caddie?.)

What counts as advice and when it's banned

Advice is any comment or action that influences another player's club choice, stroke, or strategy — like saying "hit a 7-iron" or "aim left of the pin." Rule 10.2a bans three things during a round: giving advice to anyone in the competition who's on the course, asking anyone but your caddie for advice, and touching another player's clubs or bag to figure out what they're hitting. The ban lifts before the round starts, during a suspension under Rule 5.7a, and between rounds in a multi-round event.

How the penalty is applied

The general penalty is two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play. If the breach happens while either player is playing a hole, the penalty applies to that hole. If both players are between holes — say, walking to the next tee — the penalty applies to the next hole. This timing rule keeps things fair whether the advice slips out mid-fairway or while you're comparing scores on the green.

Exceptions: partners, shared caddies, and unsolicited tips

In partner formats (foursomes, four-ball, team competitions under Rules 22, 23, 24), you may give advice to your partner or their caddie and ask them for advice. If you share a caddie with another player, you can ask that caddie what club the other player chose — that's allowed under Interpretation 10.2a/1. If a spectator volunteers advice you didn't ask for, there's no penalty at first, but you must try to stop them; if you don't, it's treated as you asking for it (Interpretation 10.2a/2).

Exceptions that change the answer

• Playing as partners in a team format (foursomes, four-ball, or team competition) → You may give advice to your partner or their caddie and ask them for advice.
• Sharing a caddie with another player → You may ask the shared caddie what club the other player selected.
• Receiving unsolicited advice from a spectator or non-caddie → No penalty if you try to stop them; general penalty if you don't make an effort to stop it.
• Before the round, during a suspension under Rule 5.7a, or between rounds → The advice restriction does not apply — you can freely discuss strategy.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly counts as "advice" under Rule 10.2a?

Advice is any verbal comment or action that influences another player's club selection, stroke, or strategy — for example, saying "take a drop" or "hit driver." Public info like yardages or flag position isn't advice.

Can I ask my playing partner what club they hit?

No — that's asking for advice. Unless you're partners in a team format or sharing a caddie, you can't ask another competitor what they hit, and they can't tell you.

What if a spectator shouts "wind's into you" before my shot?

No penalty for the first time — it's unsolicited. But if the same person keeps doing it and you don't try to stop them, you're treated as asking for advice and get the general penalty.

Does the penalty work the same in match play and stroke play?

Yes — general penalty in both. In stroke play it's two strokes; in match play it's loss of hole. The only difference is how the penalty is scored, not when it applies.

Can I give advice before we tee off or during a weather delay?

Yes. The restriction only applies "during a round." Before the first tee shot, during a Rule 5.7a suspension, and between rounds in a multi-day event, you can talk strategy freely.