Definition: In Play
The status of a player's ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:- A ball first becomes in play on a hole:
- When the player makes a stroke at it from inside the teeing area, or
- In match play, when the player makes a stroke at it from outside the teeing area and the opponent does not cancel the stroke under Rule 6.1b.
- That ball remains in play until it is holed, except that it is no longer in play:
- When it is lifted from the course,
- When it is lost (even if it is at rest on the course) or comes to rest out of bounds, or
- When another ball has been substituted for it, even if not allowed by a Rule.
The player cannot have more than one ball in play at any time. (See Rule 6.3d for the limited cases when a player may play more than one ball at the same time on a hole.)
When the Rules refer to a ball at rest or in motion, this means a ball that is in play.
When a ball-marker is in place to mark the spot of a ball in play:
- If the ball has not been lifted, it is still in play, and
- If the ball has been lifted and replaced, it is in play even if the ball-marker has not been removed.