What happens if my opponent stops play in match play?

Yes, you must stop. In match play during a Committee suspension, if your opponent stops play you have to stop immediately — if you keep playing you lose the hole (Rule 5.7b). The only way out is if the Committee later decides your failure to stop was justified.

What the rule says in plain English

When the Committee suspends play for normal reasons like darkness or an unplayable course, and you're in the middle of a hole, the group gets a couple of minutes to decide whether to finish the hole or stop. In match play, the decision isn't democratic — if your opponent chooses to stop, you stop. Period. You don't get to finish the hole on your own. If you make another stroke after they've stopped, the general penalty applies: loss of hole. This only applies during a Committee suspension, not when you and your opponent just agree to take a break (that's covered under Rule 5.7a).

The exception that can save you

There's one get-out-of-jail-free card. If the Committee decides that circumstances justified your failure to stop — maybe you genuinely didn't hear the signal, or there was confusion about whether play was actually suspended — they can waive the penalty. No loss of hole, no disqualification. This isn't something you claim on the spot; it's a Committee decision after the fact. Model Local Rule J-1 gives committees recommended ways to signal suspensions so there's less ambiguity.

How it works on the course

Picture this: the horn blows for darkness. You're on the fairway, your opponent is on the green. They mark and pick up. You have to mark and pick up too, even if you were about to hit a simple wedge. If you say "I'll just finish real quick" and hit that wedge, you've lost the hole. The two-minute discussion window is for the group to decide together — but in match play, once one player says stop, it's stopped. In stroke play it's different: each player decides for themselves, as long as their marker stays.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Committee decides your failure to stop was justified → no penalty, no loss of hole — the breach is wiped out

Frequently asked questions

What if I didn't hear the suspension signal?

If the Committee believes you genuinely didn't hear or understand the signal, they can rule your failure to stop was justified and waive the loss-of-hole penalty. But you can't just claim this yourself — it's their call after the fact.

What if my opponent stops but I want to finish the hole?

Too bad. In match play during a Committee suspension, if your opponent stops, you stop. Making another stroke costs you the hole. The two-minute window is for agreeing whether to stop or continue — once they choose stop, it's decided.

Does this apply in stroke play too?

No. In stroke play during a normal suspension, each player decides for themselves whether to stop or finish the hole, regardless of what others in the group do. The only catch: if you keep playing, your marker has to stay to record your score.

What if we both agree to keep playing after the suspension signal?

If you're between holes, you can't start a new one. If you've already started the hole, you can agree to finish it — but you only get a brief time (normally two minutes) to decide. Once you finish or stop, no more strokes until the Committee resumes play.