In a round today, on a Par 3 hole, after all 4 Tee shots, 3 of us were on the green, and 1 player was 2 yards off the green. His ball however was only 15 feet from the pin location. One of the players on the green was 45 feet from the pin location. The (senior player) in the foursome told the guy who was 45 feet away to play first. Was this the correct order of play, even though one player was still off the green? I checked the rulebook when I got home and it does say in stroke play that during play of hole, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. I only ask this because almost everybody when playing a casual round, usually waits for everyone to get on the green before putting. Unless of course some guy puts his approach or Par 3 Tee shot into the next Zip Code!

Yes the farthest from the hole plays first no matter where the ball lies. Although most of the time it is courteous to let players using the pin to come up on the green first, especially in casual rounds.

Technically yes, whoever is furthest from the hole is first to play whether they are on the green or not.

10-2. Stroke Play
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• b. During Play of Hole
After the competitors have started play of the hole, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. If two or more balls are equidistant from the hole or their positions relative to the hole are not determinable, the ball to be played first should be decided by lot.

Exceptions: Rules 22 (ball interfering with or assisting play) and 31-5 (four-ball stroke play).

It's my understanding that in stroke play it's only a suggestion. There is no penalty for playing out of turn. Definitely different for match play though.

Thank you both for that quick reply. I guess the senior fellow was correct. I try to play strictly by the rules. (I think you're just wasting your time if you don't). I guess I learned something today. Thank you.

There's no penalty for hitting out of turn in stroke or match play. However your opponent/playing partner can make you rehit the shot in the correct order,

Right but that only applies in match play.

WOW! Now this is really getting interesting. Using the original 1st post, if the guy off the green chipped his ball in the hole for a Birdie 2, and according to the rules, played out of turn, are you saying that the guy who was 45 feet from the pin could make him replay the shot after he putted his ball?

Only in match play. It's happened on tour.

The most memorable incident of this (at least for me) was the 2000 Solheim Cup where Kelly Robbins made Annika replay a chip she had just holed. Annika missed the replay and lost the match. I believe crying ensued.

OK....Got it! I love this forum. Bunch of guys just like me, when it comes to golf. My wife has one of her girlfriends over this evening. You have to see the looks on their faces and hear the comments as they are observing me asking these questons and getting the answers. "MEN....You can't live with them, and you can't live without them!"