What should players do about possible breaches by others in stroke play?

Question

Accepted Answer

No deciding by agreement: in stroke play, players may help each other apply the Rules, but any agreement they reach on a Rules issue isn't binding on anyone, including the Committee. Players should raise Rules issues with the Committee before returning their scorecards (Rule 20.1c(1)). Protecting the field: if a player knows or believes another player has breached or might have breached the Rules, and that player isn't recognizing it or is ignoring it, they should tell that player, the marker, a referee or the Committee, promptly and before that player returns their card if possible (Rule 20.1c(2)). If a player fails to do this, the Committee may disqualify them for serious misconduct (Rule 1.2a). Players who agree to ignore a Rule or penalty they know applies are both disqualified (Rule 1.3b(1)).