When is a golf ball officially in the hole?
B · Beginner · Starting and playing a hole · 7 of 13A ball is holed when it is at rest in the hole with all of it below the surface of the green. The hole is 108 mm (4¼ inches) across. In stroke play a player must hole out on every hole. In match play the last stroke can be conceded.
How it works
- The hole must be at least 101.6 mm (4 inches) deep.
- Against the flagstick: a ball resting against a flagstick in the hole is holed if any part of it is below the surface.
- Overhanging the lip: the player is allowed a reasonable time to walk to the hole and then ten seconds. If the ball drops in that time, it is holed with the last stroke. If it drops later, it is still holed with the last stroke but one penalty stroke is added.
- Stroke play: a player who does not hole out must correct it before starting the next hole, or before returning the card on the last hole. Otherwise the player is disqualified.
- Match play: a hole is completed when the player holes out, the next stroke is conceded or the result of the hole is already decided.
- In Stableford, maximum score and par/bogey a player may pick up.
Tricky cases
The ball sat on the lip and dropped in after 20 seconds. Does it count?
Yes, as holed with the last stroke, but with one penalty stroke, because the ten seconds had passed. The score is the same as if the player had tapped it in.
The ball is wedged against the flagstick with part of it above the green. Is it holed?
Yes, if any part of the ball is below the surface.
An opponent knocked the overhanging ball away before ten seconds were up. What happens?
In match play the ball is treated as holed with the last stroke. In stroke play the player who moved it gets two penalty strokes and the ball is put back on the lip.
Why the rule exists
A hole needs an end point that leaves no argument. "At rest and below the surface" can be seen by anyone. The ten-second limit stops a player waiting for the wind to finish the putt.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf, stroke play | Must hole out | G 3.3c |
| Rules of Golf, match play | The next stroke may be conceded | G 3.2b; G 6.5 |
| Stableford, maximum score, par/bogey | No need to hole out | G 21 |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 3.3c, 6.5, 13.2c and 13.3, and the Definitions of hole and holed. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).