Suspension
A suspension is the stopping of play — due to weather, darkness or an order from the committee.
There are two kinds. First, the official suspension by the committee or course staff, usually during thunderstorms or heavy rain, signalled by a horn. Second, the suspension by your own decision, for example when darkness falls during a private round. With the threat of lightning you may stop play yourself at any time — no signal is needed for that. During a competition stricter rules apply: after the committee's signal play must stop immediately, otherwise disqualification looms.
This is how an official suspension runs: the horn sounds and you usually do not finish the hole you have started. You mark your ball on the green or note the exact position on the hole and take shelter in the clubhouse or at a shelter. After the all-clear each group returns to its spot and play continues from the same position. If the round is abandoned completely, the committee decides on the scoring — with too few holes played a tournament can also be cancelled.
The most common misconception: "we'll just finish this hole, it's nearly done." After the signal that is not allowed in a competition. And with lightning it is simply dangerous — metal clubs in an open field are a very poor lightning conductor. Also, rain on its own, by the way, is no reason for an official suspension: play continues until the committee decides or there is a danger of lightning. In a private round you settle that within the group itself.
FAQ
What do you do when the horn sounds during the round?
The signal means: stop play immediately. You mark your ball on the green or note the exact position on the hole and take shelter in the clubhouse or at a shelter. After the all-clear each group returns to its spot and play continues from the same position. In a competition, continuing play after the signal can even lead to disqualification.
May you stop play in the event of lightning even without a signal?
Yes, explicitly. With the threat of lightning you may stop play yourself at any time — no horn and no order are needed for that. It is also strongly recommended, because metal clubs in an open field are a very poor lightning conductor. Safety comes before any rules question here.
Is heavy rain a reason for an official suspension?
Not automatically. Play continues until the committee decides or there is a danger of lightning — rain alone is not enough. In a private round you can settle it within the group; in a tournament only the committee decides. If a tournament round is abandoned completely, it can even be cancelled if too few holes were played.