In stroke play, what is the penalty for playing out of turn?

In stroke play, there is no penalty for playing out of turn. This is an important distinction from match play, where playing out of turn can result in penalties. In stroke play, players may play their shot in any order, and the focus is on each player's total score rather than the order in which they take their shots. Consequently, regardless of the sequence in which players hit their shots, all strokes are counted toward their overall score.

This rule allows for greater flexibility on the course and can often help maintain pace of play, as players are not held to any specific turn order. In situations where players inadvertently hit out of sequence, they may simply continue with their round without the need for replays or penalties, making it a more relaxed environment compared to match play formats.