There are two types of Committee suspensions of play, each with different requirements for when players must stop play.

(1) Immediate Suspension (Such as When There Is Imminent Danger). If the Committee declares an immediate suspension of play, all players must stop play at once and must not make another stroke until the Committee resumes play.

The Committee should use a distinct method of telling players about an immediate suspension.

(2) Normal Suspension (Such as for Darkness or Unplayable Course). If the Committee suspends play for normal reasons, what happens next depends on where each playing group is:

• Between Two Holes. If all players in the group are between two holes, they must stop play and must not make a stroke to begin another hole until the Committee resumes play.
• While Playing Hole. If any player in the group has started a hole, the players may choose either to stop play or to play out the hole.
• The players are allowed a brief amount of time (which normally should be no more than two minutes) to decide whether to stop play or play out the hole.
• If the players continue play of the hole, they may go on to complete the hole or may stop before completing the hole.
• Once the players complete the hole or stop before completing the hole, they must not make another stroke until the Committee resumes play under Rule 5.7c.

If the players do not agree on what to do:

• Match Play. If the opponent stops play, the player must also stop play and both players must not play again until the Committee resumes play. If the player does not stop play, the player gets the general penalty (loss of hole).
• Stroke Play. Any player in the group may choose to stop play or go on to continue the hole, no matter what the others in the group decide to do, except that the player may continue play only if the player's marker stays to keep the player's score.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.7b: Disqualification.

Exception - No Penalty If Committee Decides That Failure to Stop Was Justified: There is no breach of this Rule and no penalty if the Committee decides that circumstances justified the player's failure to stop play when required to do so.

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