When is there no penalty incurred for playing out of turn?

The correct answer highlights the rules of stroke play, where playing out of turn does not incur a penalty. In stroke play, players are expected to complete their shots in the order determined by their score on the previous hole. If a player plays out of turn in this format, it is typically overlooked by the rules, and no penalty is applied, provided that it does not disrupt the flow of play or create an adverse situation regarding other players.

In contrast, match play has specific rules regarding the order of play. Traditionally, a player must wait for their turn to play, and if a player plays out of turn in a match play scenario, their opponent has the right to demand that the shot be played again at the proper time, which introduces a potential penalty for disregarding the order of play.

Casual rounds of golf may have varying levels of formality and adherence to rules, and while etiquette might dictate the order of play, there is no strict enforcement of penalties like in organized play formats. Hence, the nuances of when penalties apply make the distinction crucial in understanding the rules governing both match play and stroke play in golf.