(1) Telling Opponent about Number of Strokes Taken. At any time during play of a hole or after the hole is completed, the opponent may ask the player for the number of strokes (including strokes made and penalty strokes) the player has taken on the hole.

This is to allow the opponent to decide how to play the next stroke and the rest of the hole, or to confirm the result of the hole just completed.

When asked for the number of strokes taken, or when giving that information without being asked:

• The player must give the right number of strokes taken.
• A player who fails to respond to the opponent's request is treated as giving the wrong number of strokes taken.

the player gets the general penalty (loss of hole) if they give the opponent the wrong number of strokes taken, unless the player corrects that mistake in time:

• Wrong Number of Strokes Given While Playing Hole. The player must give the right number of strokes taken before the opponent makes another stroke or takes a similar action (such as conceding the player's next stroke or the hole).
• Wrong Number of Strokes Given After Hole Completed. The player must give the right number of strokes taken:
• Before either player makes a stroke to begin another hole or takes a similar action (such as conceding the next hole or the match) or,
• For the final hole of the match, before the result of the match is final (See Rule 3.2a(5)).

Exception - No Penalty If No Effect on Result of Hole: If the player gives the wrong number of strokes taken after a hole is completed but this does not affect the opponent's understanding of whether the hole was won, lost or tied, there is no penalty.

(2) Telling Opponent about Penalty. When a player gets a penalty:

• The player must tell the opponent about that penalty as soon as reasonably possible, taking into account how near the player is to the opponent and other practical factors. It may not always be possible to tell the opponent about the penalty before the opponent makes their next stroke.
• This requirement applies even if the player does not know about the penalty (because players are expected to recognize when they have breached a Rule).

If the player fails to do so and does not correct that mistake before the opponent makes another stroke or takes a similar action (such as conceding the player's next stroke or the hole), the player gets the general penalty (loss of hole).

Exception - No Penalty When Opponent Knew of Player's Penalty: If the opponent knew that the player had a penalty, such as when seeing the player obviously take penalty relief, the player gets no penalty for failing to tell the opponent about it.

(3) Knowing Match Score. The players are expected to know the match score - that is, whether one of them leads by a certain number of holes ("holes up" in the match) or the match is tied (also known as "all square").

If the players mistakenly agree on a wrong match score:

• They may correct the match score before either player makes a stroke to begin another hole or, for the final hole, before the result of the match is final (See Rule 3.2a(5)).
• If not corrected in that time, that wrong match score becomes the actual match score.

Exception - When Player Requests Ruling in Time: If the player makes a timely request for a ruling (See Rule 20.1b), and it is found that the opponent either (1) gave the wrong number of strokes taken or (2) failed to tell the player about a penalty, the wrong match score must be corrected.

(4) Protecting Own Rights and Interests. The players in a match should protect their own rights and interests under the Rules:

• If the player knows or believes that the opponent has breached a Rule that has a penalty, the player may act on the breach or choose to ignore it.
• But if the player and opponent agree to ignore a breach or penalty they know applies, both players are disqualified under Rule 1.3b.
• If the player and opponent disagree whether one of them has breached a Rule, either player may protect their rights by asking for a ruling under Rule 20.1b.

If a referee is assigned to one match for the entire round, the referee is responsible for acting on any breach of the Rules that they see or are told about (see Rule 20.1b(1)).

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