What happens if I arrive late for my starting time, or start early?

You must start at the starting time set by the Committee, and not before it. The time is exact: 9 am means 9:00:00 am. You must be ready to play at the starting point at that time.

Breaching this Rule normally means disqualification, with three exceptions:

• If you arrive ready to play no more than five minutes late, you get the general penalty on your first hole.
• If you start no more than five minutes early, you get the general penalty on your first hole.
• If the Committee decides exceptional circumstances prevented a timely start, there is no breach and no penalty.

In stroke play the general penalty is two strokes. (Rule 5.3a)