Page type: Glossary / definition
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Meaning
A referee is a Committee-appointed official who decides facts and applies the Rules of Golf. In match play, authority depends on assignment: a referee covering one match acts on breaches seen or reported; one covering several matches generally acts after a player requests help or a ruling, subject to exceptions.
How it matters in match play
A referee assigned to one match for the whole round must rule on a breach that comes to their attention in time. A referee assigned to several matches, or selected holes, normally becomes involved after a request for help or a ruling, with limited exceptions for conduct, unreasonable delay, lateness and a three-minute search. The ruling must be followed; there is no right of appeal, although the referee may seek another opinion or refer the matter to the Committee.
Table
| Quick reference | Detail |
|---|---|
| Term | Referee |
| Category | rules |
| Applicable rule | Rule 20.1b; Rule 20.2a |
| Related concepts | Committee, Request for Ruling, Ruling, Match Play |
Worked example
On the 14th hole, Alex asks Referee Dana whether a ball was moved by natural forces; Dana rules under the applicable Rule, and Alex and Ben follow that ruling. This is an illustrative example, not a record of an actual match.
Rule reference: Rule 20.1b; Rule 20.2a
Sources: www.randa.org , www.randa.org , www.randa.org
Common questions
What does a referee do in golf?
A referee decides questions of fact and applies the Rules of Golf on the Committee's behalf. The referee's assignment determines when they can intervene, especially in match play.
Can a player appeal a referee's ruling?
Generally no. Under Rule 20.2a, the player must follow the referee's ruling and has no right to appeal it to the Committee. The referee may obtain a second opinion or refer the ruling to the Committee for review.
Does every referee watch every match?
No. A referee may be assigned to one match, several matches, or particular holes or sections. In match play, a referee without a single-match assignment generally waits for a request for help or a ruling, apart from specified exceptions.
When should a player request a ruling in match play?
The request must be made in time. Before the final hole, it is generally required before either player makes a stroke to begin another hole; during or after the final hole, it must be made before the match result is final, subject to the exceptions in Rule 20.1b.
Is a referee the same as a marker?
No. A referee applies the Rules and decides questions of fact. A marker is responsible for entering and certifying a player's scorecard in stroke play; the roles are different.
Can a referee correct a wrong ruling?
A wrong ruling may be corrected when the Rules and timing allow it. Committee Procedures explain limits in match play, including when a player has made a later stroke; serious misconduct and deliberate agreement to ignore a known Rule have separate treatment.