Rules question concerning match play

[littleprov1x]

Need help quick!

So my golf coach asked me a question today: what is the most one can down in match play after two holes? I thought the answer was 4 holes, because of 4-4a/9, which concerns having an extra club and being penalized a hole in match play, as opposed to 2 strokes, in stroke play. Apparently, I was wrong, so if anyone can figure this out, I would be very grateful. Thanks!

[AirTime23]

Obviously the correct answer should be 2 down. Cause you can't do worse than losing the hole. Even if you get a penalty as described by you, you can't really lose the same hole twice.

[DemolitionMan]

Obviously the correct answer should be 2 down. Cause you can't do worse than losing the hole. Even if you get a penalty as described by you, you can't really lose the same hole twice.

 

Wrong, you should just read the rules on usga.org.

 

In additon, the decision from the USGA website can be shown to the coach and be done with such an "obvious" answer.

 

4 down is the most you can be down after two holes since the penalty applies to the state of the match when discovered, and not necessarily to a specific hole.

 

From USGA:

 

4-4a/9 Clarification of Match-Play Penalty

 

 

Q. Please confirm that the following is a correct interpretation of Rule 4-4a in a match between A and B:

 

(1) After the 1st hole, it is discovered that B has more than 14 clubs:

(a) If B won the hole — the match is all square.

(b) If the hole was halved — A is 1 up.

© If A won the hole — A is 2 up.

(2) After the 2nd hole, it is discovered that B has more than 14 clubs:

(a) If B won both holes — the match is all square.

(b) If B was 1 up — A is 1 up.

© If the match was all square — A is 2 up.

(d) If A was 1 up — A is 3 up.

(e) If A was 2 up — A is 4 up.

(3) Later in the match, but before the players leave the last green, it is discovered that B has more than 14 clubs:

(a) If B was more than 2 up — 2 “ups” are deducted.

(b) If B was 2 up — the match is all square.

© If B was 1 up — A is 1 up.

(d) If the match was all square — A is 2 up.

(e) If A was 1 up — A is 3 up.

(f) If A was 2 up — A is 4 up.

(g) If A was more than 2 up — 2 “ups” are added to his “ups.”

A. As the loss of hole penalty for a breach of Rule 4-4a is not applied to a specific hole, but to the state of the match at the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, your interpretation is correct.

[littleprov1x]

I asked the USGA, and the most you can be down after 2 holes in match play is 10 down. It would be nearly impossible to do so, but this is how:

lost first two holes: 2 down

had a 15th club: 4 down (4-4a)

assuming one ball rule in effect, player uses a different ball: 6 down (appendix I, part c, item 1c)

assuming player cannon use a caddie and he does: 8 down (appendix 1, part c, item 3)

and finally, if the player is not allowed to use a cart and he does: 10 down (appendix 1, part c, item 9)

[DemolitionMan]

While being 4 down after 2 is somewhat realistic given someone could lose the first two holes then realize they forgot to take the 15th club out of the bag after warming up, the scenario of being 10 down after 2 is so ridiculous, it's not even worth discussing.