Sides and Matches
Side: A player, or two or more players who are partners.

Single: A match in which one plays against another.

Threesome: A match in which one plays against two, and each side plays one ball.

Foursome: A match in which two play against two, and each side plays one ball.

Three-Ball: A match play competition in which three play against one another, each playing his own ball.

Each player is playing two distinct matches.

Stableford Points

This is a Competition where points are awarded at each hole as follows:

Net bogey – one over par 1 point

Net par 2 points

Net birdie 3 points

Net eagle 4 points

Net albatross 5 points

The winner is the competitor who scores the highest number of points

Stance
Taking the “stance’’ consists in a player placing his feet in position for and preparatory to making a stroke.

Stipulated Round
The “stipulated round’’ consists of playing the holes of the course in their correct sequence unless otherwise authorized by the Committee. The number of holes in a stipulated round is 18 unless a smaller number is authorized by the Committee. As to extension of stipulated round in match play, see Rule 2-3.

Stroke
A “stroke’’ is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of fairly striking at and moving the ball, but if a player checks his downswing voluntarily before the club head reaches the ball he is deemed not to have made a stroke.

Stroke Index
Each hole on a golf course is rated, using several variables and is given a stroke index between 1 and 18. If a player has a handicap of 18, he/she receives one shot per hole. If the handicap is 9, the player receives a shot on holes with a stroke index of 1 – 9.

Stroke Play
The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest strokes is the winner. If a competitor fails to hole out and does not correct the mistake before a stroke is played from the next teeing ground, or in the case of the last hole, before leaving the putting green, the penalty is disqualification.

Teeing Ground
The “teeing ground’’ is the starting place for the hole to be played. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths in depth, the front and the sides of which are defined by the outside limits of two tee-markers. A ball is outside the teeing ground when all of it lies outside the teeing ground.

Through the Green
“Through the green’’ is the whole area of the course except:
The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and
all hazards on the course.

Water Hazard
A “water hazard’’ is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature.

All ground or water within the margin of a water hazard is part of the water hazard. The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards. Stakes and lines defining the margins of water hazards are in the hazards. Such stakes are obstructions. A ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard.

Note 1: Water hazards (other than lateral water hazards) should be defined by yellow stakes or lines.

Note 2: The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting play from an environmentally-sensitive area which has been defined as a water hazard.

Wrong Ball
A “wrong ball’’ is any ball other than the player’s:
a) Ball in play,
b) Provisional ball, or
c) Second ball played under Rule 3-3 or Rule 20-7b in stroke play.
Note: Ball in play includes a ball substituted for the ball in play whether or not such substitution is permitted.

Wrong Putting Green
A “wrong putting green” is any putting green other than that of the hole being played. Unless otherwise prescribed by the Committee, this term includes a practice putting green or pitching green on the course.