30-1. Rules of Golf Apply
The Rules of Golf, so far as they are not at variance with the
following specific Rules, apply to three-ball, best-ball and fourball
matches.

30-2. Three-Ball Match Play
a. Ball at Rest Moved by an Opponent
Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, if the player’s ball
is touched or moved by an opponent, his caddie or equipment
other than during search, Rule 18-3b applies. That opponent
incurs a penalty of one stroke in his match with the player, but
not in his match with the other opponent.
b. Ball Deflected or Stopped by an Opponent Accidentally
If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an
opponent, his caddie or equipment, there is no penalty. In his
match with that opponent the player may play the ball as it lies
or, before another stroke is played by either side, he may cancel
the stroke and play a ball without penalty as nearly as possible
at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5). In his match with the other opponent, the ball
must be played as it lies.
Exception: Ball striking person attending flagstick – see
Rule 17-3b.
(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by opponent – see
Rule 1-2)

30-3. Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play
a. Representation of Side
A side may be represented by one partner for all or any part
of a match; all partners need not be present. An absent partner
may join a match between holes, but not during play of a hole.
b. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs
The side is penalised for a breach of Rules 4-3a(iii) and 4-4 by
any partner.
c. Order of Play
Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the
side considers best.
d. Wrong Ball
If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is not in a
hazard, he is disqualified for that hole, but his partner incurs
no penalty even if the wrong ball belongs to him. If the wrong
ball belongs to another player, its owner must place a ball on
the spot from which the wrong ball was first played.
e. Disqualification of Side
(i) A side is disqualified for a breach of any of the following
by any partner:
• Rule 1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules
• Rule 4-1 or -2 Clubs
• Rule 5-1 or -2 The Ball
• Rule 6-2a Handicap (playing off higher handicap)
• Rule 6-4 Caddie (having more than one caddie;
failure to correct breach immediately)
• Rule 6-7 Undue Delay; Slow Play (repeated
offence)
• Rule 14-3 Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
(ii) A side is disqualified for a breach of any of the following
by all partners:
• Rule 6-3 Time of Starting and Groups
• Rule 6-8 Discontinuance of Play
(iii) In all other cases where a breach of a Rule would result in
disqualification, the player is disqualified for that
hole only.
f. Effect of Other Penalties
If a player’s breach of a Rule assists his partner’s play or
adversely affects an opponent’s play, the partner incurs the
applicable penalty in addition to any penalty incurred by
the player.
In all other cases where a player incurs a penalty for breach of
a Rule, the penalty does not apply to his partner. Where the
penalty is stated to be loss of hole, the effect is to disqualify the
player for that hole.
g. Another Form of Match Played Concurrently
In a best-ball or four-ball match when another form of match
is played concurrently, the above specific Rules apply.