Who plays first in golf?
I · Intermediate · Starting and playing a hole · 5 of 16On the tee the player with the honour goes first: the winner of the last hole in match play, the lowest scorer on it in stroke play. After that the ball farthest from the hole is played first. Playing out of turn has no penalty in stroke play. In match play the opponent may cancel the stroke.
How it works
- First hole: the order of the draw, or failing that by agreement or a random method such as a coin.
- Later holes: the honour goes to the winner of the previous hole, or in stroke play to the lowest gross score, then the next lowest. After a tied hole the order stays as it was.
- During the hole: the ball farthest from the hole first.
- Stroke play: there is no penalty for playing out of turn. Players are allowed and encouraged to play "ready golf": out of turn, in a safe and responsible way, to save time.
- The one stroke-play penalty is for players who agree to play out of turn to give one of them an advantage: two strokes each.
- Match play: the opponent may cancel a stroke played out of turn. It must be done promptly, before either player plays again, and the player then plays again from the same place in the right order. The players may agree to play out of turn to save time.
- A provisional ball from the tee is played after everyone else in the group has played.
- In four-ball, partners may play in the order the side prefers.
Tricky cases
Is "ready golf" allowed?
Yes, in stroke play. The Rules encourage it, as long as nobody is endangered, distracted or interfered with.
In match play a player putted out of turn and holed it. Does it count?
It depends on the opponent. The opponent may cancel the stroke and have it played again, or let it stand.
Why the rule exists
In match play the order matters, because the player who goes second has seen what the opponent did. In stroke play it matters much less than keeping the round moving.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf, match play | Out of turn may be cancelled | G 6.4a |
| Rules of Golf, stroke play | No penalty. Ready golf encouraged | G 6.4b |
| Four-ball | Partners choose their own order | G 23.6 |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 5.6b, 6.4 and 23.6. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).