Marshal
The marshal is the supervisor on the golf course who looks after pace of play, order and etiquette.
The marshal, also called the course marshal, drives or walks around the facility and checks that everything is running smoothly. He keeps an eye on the pace of play of the groups, warns slow groups and makes sure that playing through works when a group catches up. He answers rules questions on the spot, helps with ball searches and conflicts, and steps in on etiquette violations — for example when divots are not replaced or bunkers are not raked. At many facilities the marshal works on a voluntary basis; at tournaments the role is part of the committee. Do not confuse him with the referee, who makes binding rules decisions.
In practice the marshal is your point of contact, not your opponent. An example: your group falls half a hole behind the group ahead and the marshal speaks to you in a friendly way. Then it is not about arguing but about picking up the pace: Ready Golf, fewer practice swings and choosing your club on the way to your ball. Conversely you can call the marshal when the group ahead is blocking play for good or an outside competition is congesting the holes.
A typical misconception: the marshal is not allowed to interpret the rules like a referee. Binding decisions — for example on disputed drops in a tournament — are the referee's responsibility. The marshal keeps things flowing and polite. Take him seriously, respond politely, and you will rarely have trouble — and the round runs faster for everyone.
FAQ
What should I do when the marshal speaks to my group?
Do not argue — pick up the pace. The marshal only warns you when you have visibly lost ground on the group ahead. Then it means fewer practice swings, choosing your club on the way to your ball and playing Ready Golf. Anyone who responds politely and speeds up usually does not hear from the marshal again.
Can the marshal help me with a rules question?
He can give you a first assessment but cannot make a binding decision. For binding rules decisions — for example on a disputed drop in a competition — the referee is responsible. The marshal looks after pace of play, order and etiquette on the course.
Can I call the marshal when the group ahead of us is holding everything up?
Yes, that is exactly what he is there for. If a group is blocking play for good and will not let you through, you can inform the course marshal instead of looking for conflict yourself. The marshal can ask the group to let you play through or restore the pace — that is more diplomatic than an argument on the hole.