What happens if I'm late (or early) for my starting time?

Question

Accepted Answer

You must be at the starting point, ready to play, at your exact starting time. A 9:00 start means 9:00:00, not any time before 9:01 (Rule 5.3a). Situation Penalty Arrive ready to play no more than 5 minutes late General penalty on your first hole (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play) Start no more than 5 minutes early General penalty on your first hole More than 5 minutes late or early Disqualification Committee decides exceptional circumstances prevented you from starting on time No penalty If your group's start is delayed (weather, slow play ahead, a ruling), there's no breach as long as you're present and ready when your group can start. On the day of a stroke-play round you also can't practice on the course before your round, except putting or chipping on or near your first tee and on practice areas (Rule 5.2b).

Situation	Penalty
Arrive ready to play no more than 5 minutes late	General penalty on your first hole (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play)
Start no more than 5 minutes early	General penalty on your first hole
More than 5 minutes late or early	Disqualification
Committee decides exceptional circumstances prevented you from starting on time	No penalty