GC Official Rulings and Commentary

The WCF Golf Croquet Rules Committee has issued the following Official Rulings in accordance with WCF Statute 133.5.4. They take effect from 7 October 2024.

OR 6.2.1: Start of the Striking Period

In Rule 6.2.1, the words "apparent intent" are to be interpreted as if they were a Glossary term with the following definition:

Apparent intent A player takes a stance with apparent intent to play a stroke when a referee or other observer might reasonably conclude that the stroke about to be played could be played from that stance.

Commentary

The words "when a player has taken a stance with apparent intent to play a stroke" refer to the impression given by the stance and not to the player's state of mind. A player who takes a stance, which appears to a referee or other observer to be a stance from which they can reasonably play their next stroke, has started the striking period. A statement or series of statements from the player that they do not yet intend to play their stroke will not prevent the striking period from starting.

If the player contacts with a ball in a practice swing after the striking period has started, they will play a stroke and possibly commit a fault. Prior to the occurrence of any such contact, the player remains entitled under Rule 6.2.2 to quit the stance under control and then restart the process of playing the stroke.

OR 8.4.4: Offside Direction

In Rule 8.4.4, the words "after all balls moved by the stroke are replaced and any points scored by the stroke are cancelled" should be interpreted as if they read: "in which case all balls moved by the stroke are replaced, any points scored by the stroke are cancelled and play continues by the offside owner replaying the stroke in accordance with the offside direction."

Commentary

This Ruling confirms that, if an offside opponent exercises their right to give or repeat an offside direction, the next stroke in the game is a replay of the offside owner's last stroke from the designated penalty area. The offside opponent is also entitled to let the offside owner's stroke stand and, in that case, the next stroke in the game is played by the offside opponent.

OR 12.1.2: Overlapping Play

In Rule 12.1.2(b), the words "the non-striking side is to lose its next stroke (see Rule 6.3.7)" are to be interpreted as if they read: "the unlawful stroke is not replayed and the striker's side plays the next stroke in the game with the partner ball of the ball played in the lawful stroke."

Commentary

This confirms that the non-striking side loses only the stroke that it played prematurely and clarifies what happens next.

Stephen Mulliner
Chair, WCF GCRC