What is substitutes (rule 15) in Mini Golf?

Verdict

15.1: One substitute is allowed per team unless regulations or invitations state otherwise, named before the invitation deadline, or at the latest 30 minutes before the scheduled start.; 15.3: A substitute may be brought in at any time after a finished lane, including during a play-off. If the su...

Why people argue about this

People often assume that substitutes can only enter during play-offs, which is a common misconception since Rule 15.3 clearly states they can be brought in at any point after a lane has finished, even mid-game. The confusion arises because this rule isn't always emphasized or explained thoroughly enough to cover all scenarios where substitutions might be needed.

Send this to your friend — argument over.

Section 4: Players & Officials

Categories (Rule 14)

14.1: Individual categories: Female kids (Kf), Male kids (Km), Kids (K); Female youth (Yf), Male youth (Ym), Youth (Y); General class women (W), General class men (M), General class (G); Female senior 1 (Sf1), Male senior 1 (Sm1), Senior 1 (S1); Female senior 2 (Sf2), Male senior 2 (Sm2), Senior 2 (S2).
14.2: Kids: through the year of the 15th birthday. Youth: from the year after the 15th birthday through the year of the 19th birthday. General class: through the year of the 49th birthday. Senior: those who had their 49th birthday in previous years. Transition rule (Delegates Conference 2025): players born 1980 become seniors on 01.01.2030; players born 1979 or earlier who were already seniors on 01.01.2025 remain seniors. The Senior 2 age limit is set nationally by each WMF Active Member.
14.3: Players change category at the end of the year in which they reach the age limit, and may play in the new category from 1 January of the following year.
14.4: Players of any category may play in the General class categories; kids may also play youth, and senior 2 may also play senior 1. During a tournament a player can play in only one individual category.
14.7–14.9: Team categories include kids', youth, women's, men's, senior and club teams. A player can play for only one team, and club teams in international tournaments must consist of players from the same club.

Substitutes (Rule 15)

15.1: One substitute is allowed per team unless regulations or invitations state otherwise, named before the invitation deadline, or at the latest 30 minutes before the scheduled start.
15.3: A substitute may be brought in at any time after a finished lane, including during a play-off. If the substituted player started but did not finish a lane, 7 points are noted for that lane. Substitution is generally possible only once per tournament.
15.6: Substitutes must begin after the regular team members.

Refereeing committee (Rule 16)

16.1: A refereeing committee consists of at least one head referee and two referees, preferably from three different nations (international tournaments) or three different clubs (national tournaments).
16.2–16.3: Members must remain completely neutral. Head referees and referees of World and Continental Championships, Nations Cups or Continental Cups may not take part as players or coaches.
16.7: At least two committee members should be on the course at all times; at World and Continental Championships, Nations Cups and Continental Cups two members must be. A member who notices an infringement must intervene immediately.
16.8: The head referee must be in attendance no later than 30 minutes before play begins.
16.9: The head referee supervises the whole competition, including ensuring lanes are cleaned, movable obstacles are correctly placed, markings are complete and visible, defects are dealt with, and decisions on interruptions are taken.
16.12: Committee members must wear sports clothing.

Coaches

Players and coaches must keep away from the lane and player when the ball is addressed, if possible at least 1 meter (8.5). Aiming help by coaches or other persons is strictly forbidden (8.7).

Section 4: Players & Officials

Categories (Rule 14)

14.1: Individual categories: Female kids (Kf), Male kids (Km), Kids (K); Female youth (Yf), Male youth (Ym), Youth (Y); General class women (W), General class men (M), General class (G); Female senior 1 (Sf1), Male senior 1 (Sm1), Senior 1 (S1); Female senior 2 (Sf2), Male senior 2 (Sm2), Senior 2 (S2).

14.2: Kids: through the year of the 15th birthday. Youth: from the year after the 15th birthday through the year of the 19th birthday. General class: through the year of the 49th birthday. Senior: those who had their 49th birthday in previous years. Transition rule (Delegates Conference 2025): players born 1980 become seniors on 01.01.2030; players born 1979 or earlier who were already seniors on 01.01.2025 remain seniors. The Senior 2 age limit is set nationally by each WMF Active Member.

14.3: Players change category at the end of the year in which they reach the age limit, and may play in the new category from 1 January of the following year.

14.4: Players of any category may play in the General class categories; kids may also play youth, and senior 2 may also play senior 1. During a tournament a player can play in only one individual category.

14.7–14.9: Team categories include kids', youth, women's, men's, senior and club teams. A player can play for only one team, and club teams in international tournaments must consist of players from the same club.

Substitutes (Rule 15)

15.1: One substitute is allowed per team unless regulations or invitations state otherwise, named before the invitation deadline, or at the latest 30 minutes before the scheduled start.

15.3: A substitute may be brought in at any time after a finished lane, including during a play-off. If the substituted player started but did not finish a lane, 7 points are noted for that lane. Substitution is generally possible only once per tournament.

15.6: Substitutes must begin after the regular team members.

Refereeing committee (Rule 16)

16.1: A refereeing committee consists of at least one head referee and two referees, preferably from three different nations (international tournaments) or three different clubs (national tournaments).

16.2–16.3: Members must remain completely neutral. Head referees and referees of World and Continental Championships, Nations Cups or Continental Cups may not take part as players or coaches.

16.7: At least two committee members should be on the course at all times; at World and Continental Championships, Nations Cups and Continental Cups two members must be. A member who notices an infringement must intervene immediately.

16.8: The head referee must be in attendance no later than 30 minutes before play begins.

16.9: The head referee supervises the whole competition, including ensuring lanes are cleaned, movable obstacles are correctly placed, markings are complete and visible, defects are dealt with, and decisions on interruptions are taken.

16.12: Committee members must wear sports clothing.

Coaches

Players and coaches must keep away from the lane and player when the ball is addressed, if possible at least 1 meter (8.5). Aiming help by coaches or other persons is strictly forbidden (8.7).

Substitutes (Rule 15)