What happens if play is suspended between holes?

Yes, you have to stop. If the Committee declares a normal suspension (like for darkness) and your whole group is between two holes, nobody can tee off on the next hole until play resumes. Breaking this gets you disqualified.

What counts as a normal suspension

A normal suspension is when the Committee stops play for things like darkness, heavy rain making the course unplayable, or fog — basically anything that isn't an immediate danger like lightning. The Committee will signal it, usually with a siren or horn pattern that's different from the immediate-danger signal. When you hear it, the first thing to figure out is where your group stands: are you all between holes, or has someone already hit a tee shot on the next hole?

If everyone is between holes

If all players in the group are between two holes — meaning the last putt has dropped and nobody has teed off on the next — you must stop right there. You cannot make a stroke to start another hole. Pack up, head in, and wait for the Committee to resume play. If anyone tees off anyway, that's a breach of Rule 5.7b and the penalty is disqualification. No warnings, no two-stroke penalty — you're done for the competition.

If someone has already started the hole

If even one player in the group has hit a tee shot on the next hole when the suspension sounds, the group gets a choice: stop play right then, or play out the hole. You've got a brief window to decide — normally no more than two minutes. In match play, if your opponent wants to stop, you have to stop too; refusing costs you the hole. In stroke play, each player decides for themselves, but if you keep playing your marker has to stay with you to keep your score. Once the hole is finished (or you all stop mid-hole), nobody hits another shot until the Committee says go.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You're between holes and want to practice putting → You may rub the surface or roll a ball on the putting green of the hole you just finished, or on any practice green. This is allowed under Rule 5.5b even during a suspension. But don't roll balls on the next hole's green or any other green — that's the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play).

Frequently asked questions

Can I finish the hole if I've already teed off when a normal suspension sounds?

Yes. If anyone in your group has started the hole, you can choose to play it out. You have about two minutes to decide. Once the hole is done, you stop until play resumes.

What if my opponent in match play wants to stop but I want to keep playing?

You have to stop. In match play, if one player stops, the other must stop too. If you keep playing, you lose the hole.

What's the penalty if I tee off on the next hole after a normal suspension when we were all between holes?

Disqualification. Rule 5.7b is strict: no stroke to begin another hole once a normal suspension is declared and your group is between holes.

Does the two-minute decision window apply if we're between holes?

No. The two-minute window only applies when someone has already started the hole. If everyone is between holes, you stop immediately — no discussion, no delay.

Can I drop a ball or take relief after play is suspended?

Yes. Proceeding under a Rule — like dropping, finding your nearest point of complete relief, or continuing a search — isn't considered failing to stop play. But if it's an immediate suspension (danger), get to shelter first.