How do I suspend play, and what must players do?
Rule- USA
- USGA
- Rules of Golf
- Junior tournaments
- Juniors (under 19)
- Committee and referees
- 2023 rules
- Officials
There are two types of Committee suspension (Rule 5.7b):
| Immediate suspension | Normal suspension | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Imminent danger, such as lightning | Darkness, unplayable course |
| Players between holes | Stop | Stop; don't start another hole |
| Players during a hole | Stop at once; no more strokes | May stop or finish the hole; allowed a brief time, normally no more than 2 minutes, to decide |
- Use a distinct method to signal an immediate suspension; Model Local Rule J-1 recommends signals for both types.
- In a normal suspension in stroke play, each player may choose to continue, but only if their marker stays to keep score. In match play, if the opponent stops, the player must stop too.
- Penalty for not stopping when required: disqualification, unless the Committee decides failing to stop was justified.
- Players stopping on their own: a player may stop if they reasonably believe there's lightning danger, but must report to the Committee as soon as possible. Stopping for any other unauthorized reason, or not reporting, is disqualification (Rule 5.7a).
Added 21 Oct 2026