Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A forfeit is the loss of a competition match or place because a player or side does not take part, does not meet a stated requirement, or withdraws under the competition’s terms. It is an event-administration outcome, not a scoring format or a universal Rules of Golf penalty.
How it matters in match play
In match play, the competition’s Terms of the Competition should say what happens if a player cannot start or finish, such as an opponent’s win or a tied match. Do not treat every forfeit as a concession: a Conceded Match is a player’s Rules-based action, while a forfeit is normally recorded by the Committee under the event’s stated procedure.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Forfeit |
| Category | general |
| Applicable rule | Rule 3.2a(3); Committee Procedures, Section 5A (Terms of the Competition) |
| Related concepts | Withdrawal, Conceded Match, Match Result, Match Win, Terms of the Competition |
Worked example
If the terms say a no-show forfeits the match, Alex does not arrive for his scheduled match against Ben, so Ben receives a Match Win; the 3–2 wording is not an invented on-course score.
Rule reference: Rule 3.2a(3); Committee Procedures, Section 5A (Terms of the Competition)
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
Is a forfeit the same as conceding a match?
No. A player may concede the match under Rule 3.2b, but a forfeit usually describes the competition result applied under the published Terms of the Competition, such as for a no-show or withdrawal.
What score should be entered for a forfeited match?
Use the result or score specified by the competition Committee. The Rules do not provide one universal forfeit score; some terms award an opponent’s win without a hole-by-hole score, while others prescribe a result for administrative purposes.
Can a player forfeit after the match has started?
That depends on the competition terms and the Committee’s procedure. A player may concede the match before its result is decided under Rule 3.2b; an event may separately define how an inability to finish is recorded.
Does a forfeit create a penalty stroke?
Not as a general Rules of Golf penalty. A forfeit is ordinarily an administrative match result, and any consequences such as a recorded win or loss should come from the event’s published terms.
Is a forfeit a recognised golf format?
No. It describes what happens to an entry or match when participation or compliance fails. The underlying competition may be Individual Match Play, Team Match Play or another format.
Should a forfeited match be counted as a Match Loss?
Usually only if the Terms of the Competition say so. Check the event’s result and tie-break procedures rather than assuming that a forfeit has a standard effect on a bracket or standings.