What happens if I play from outside the teeing area in Par/Bogey?

You get a 2-stroke penalty and must correct the mistake by playing again from inside the teeing area. Unlike match play, you don't lose the hole — Par/Bogey uses stroke-play penalties with match-play scoring.

The penalty in Par/Bogey

Par/Bogey is a stroke-play format that scores like match play. Rule 21.3c says all stroke-play penalties apply, so playing from outside the teeing area (Rule 6.1b) gives you 2 penalty strokes. You must then play a ball from inside the teeing area. The strokes you made from the wrong spot don't count — only the new strokes plus the 2 penalties.

Why it's not loss of hole

In pure match play, playing from outside the teeing area lets your opponent cancel the stroke — no penalty, just replay. But Par/Bogey isn't match play; it's stroke play with a different scoring method. The Rules treat it as stroke play for penalties, so the 2-stroke penalty stands and you continue the hole. Only disqualification penalties get reduced to loss of hole under Rule 21.3c.

What to do on the tee

If you realize before anyone else plays, just re-tee inside the area and add 2 strokes. If you've already hit a second shot, you've played from a wrong place — that's a serious breach if it gave you a significant advantage, and you'd need to correct before the next tee or you're disqualified. When in doubt, replay from the right spot and sort the score later.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The breach is a disqualification penalty under stroke play → It is reduced to loss of hole in Par/Bogey (Rule 21.3c)

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose the hole if I tee off from outside the markers in Par/Bogey?

No. You take a 2-stroke penalty and must replay from inside the teeing area. The hole continues — you don't lose it like in match play.

What if I don't realize until after I've hit my second shot?

You've played from a wrong place. If it's a serious breach (significant advantage), you must correct by playing from inside the teeing area before starting the next hole, or you're disqualified. If not serious, the 2-stroke penalty stands.

Can my playing partner cancel my stroke like in match play?

No. Par/Bogey uses stroke-play penalties. There's no option for anyone to cancel your stroke — you just take the 2 strokes and replay.

Does the stroke I made from outside the teeing area count?

No. That stroke is cancelled. You play again from inside the teeing area, and the new strokes plus the 2 penalty strokes become your score for the hole.

What if I don't correct the mistake before the next tee?

If it was a serious breach (you gained a significant advantage), you're disqualified. If not serious, the 2-stroke penalty still applies but you can't fix it after the next tee — the score with penalties stands.