I received a twitter request not too long ago concerning the practice information I posted from Hank Haney’s practice recommendations. Please keep in mind, I am not a rules stickler nor have I ever played in a tourney. The request was actually something interesting so I went to look it up and thought I would post it for those that may hear the terms as well. The terms in question are the difference of practicing between Matchplay and Strokeplay in a tournament.
This is what I found.
Practicing for Strokeplay event is very regulated and strict. You are not permitted to practice on the course before you begin your round at all. No simple putts, no chips and there is even no practicing between rounds in a 36-hole competition. In an amateur competition, you are permitted to practice a putt once you have holed out on that particular green as long as you are not holding anyone else up. Be careful on a Strokeplay event, if there is a question of hitting ball even if it is not related to the course you could be disqualified.
Practicing for a Matchplay event is more relaxed. You can hit chips and putts before your game and golf course permitting you can even play a few holes. Once the round begins the rules of non-hitting apply and is subject to penalty such as loss of hole for Matchplay and two strokes for Strokeplay. This is of course if you putt prior to completing or “holing out” the hole.
Hope that helps a little.
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