Top Rules of Golf
For
a beginner, the following presents some basic points to remember.
It is a good habit to carry a rule book in your golf bag for
any situation that may arise on the course. You can buy one
from your local golf shop for a couple of dollars.
Order of Play
The player who with the lowest score on the previous hole has
"the honor" (the right to play first) on the next hole. Once
play of a hole is underway, the player whose ball is farthest
from the hole plays first. In match play, if you play out of
turn your opponent may ask you to replay in the correct order.
This must be stated before any other shot is played by anyone.
When playing from the tee, you must tee your ball between the
markers or a little behind them -- but not more than two club
lengths behind the tee markers.
Playing The Ball
Identifying
Your Ball -- you may mark and lift your ball in order
to identify it anywhere except in a hazard. However, you must
tell your opponent or fellow competitor before doing so and
you may not clean it except to the extent necessary to identify
it.
Striking
the Ball -- For a stroke to be considered to have been
played, the player must have had the intent to strike the
ball. Likewise, if you intend to strike the ball and you miss,
that IS a stroke. You may not improve the area in which you
intend to make a swing. When tree limbs or weeds are in your
way they cannot be moved except to fairly take your stance.
Playing
a Wrong Ball -- there is never a penalty if you play a
wrong ball from a hazard. If you have done so, you must then
play the proper ball from the hazard. Outside a hazard, in
match play, if you play a ball that is not yours, you lose
the hole. In stroke play, if you play a ball that is not yours,
there is a two-stroke penalty. You must then play out the
hole with your own ball. If you do not do so, you are disqualified
Match Play
Match Play is when you play the game by holes. If you win a
hole over your opponent you are 1 up. When you have won more
points than there are holes remaining you have won the match.
As a beginner, you will probably enjoy match play. Your score
is not relevant and by a quirk of nature, you may just beat
that pro!
More
Details -- If you are 3 up with 2 holes to play, you have
won 3 and 2. This is the oldest form of play and still the
most popular in the United Kingdom. Your total score for the
round is irrelevant. The general penalty in match play for
a violation of the rules is the loss of one hole. In match
play, if your ball strikes your opponent, their caddie or
their equipment, you have the option of replaying the shot
before anything else happens.
Stroke Play
Stroke Play is sometimes referred to as medal play. The player
who finishes the round in the fewest strokes is the winner in
stroke play. If you have 94 and your opponent has 97, you are
the winner. The ball must be played into each and every hole.
There are no gimmies in proper stroke play. The general penalty
in stroke play for a violation of the rules is two strokes.
When keeping score in stroke play, you keep your opponent's
score and your opponent keeps yours. Be sure the scores are
properly recorded at the end of each hole. This will eliminate
problems at the end of the round. Be sure to sign and attest
the scorecard at the end of play.
In stroke play, there is no penalty if your ball strikes your
opponent, their caddie or their equipment and the ball is played
as it lies.
Player's Responsibilities
You are allowed no more than fourteen clubs. Except in special
circumstances, you must use the same ball for the entire hole.
If you have cut your ball during the play of a hole and wish
to change it, you must first ask your opponent for permission
to do so.
During the play of a hole, you may not hit any practice shots.
You may practice putting between the play of two holes so long
as you are not delaying play. This always causes confusion because
such putting between holes is not permitted on the PGA Tour.
During a round, you may not ask anyone except your caddie or
your partner for advice as to how to hit a shot. You may ask
for information about the Rules or the fixed position of hazards
or the flagstick. Example: It is okay to ask, "Is the hole cut
in the back of the green?" It is not okay to ask your opponent,
"Do you think I should use a 7 iron?" Likewise, it is not permissible
to offer advice to your opponent.
The Putting Green & The Flagstick
Your ball is considered to be on the green if any part of it
is touching the green. You may brush away leaves and other loose
Impediments that are on your line of putt with your hand or
a club. You are not allowed to use a cap or towel to do this.Ball
marks or old hole plugs should be repaired but damage from shoes
or spikes cannot be repaired until play of the hole is finished.
You may mark your ball on a green by putting a coin or other
marker behind it when you want to pick it up to clean or get
it out of another player's way.
If your ball is off the green, there is no penalty if you play
and your ball strikes the flagstick, provided no one is holding
the flagstick. If your ball is on the green, do not putt with
the flagstick in the hole. Either remove the flagstick from
the hole or ask another player to hold it and remove it after
you have struck your putt. If you putt and your ball hits the
flagstick when it is in the hole, in match play you lose the
hole. In stroke play, you must add two penalty strokes to your
score for the hole.
Relief: Lifting & Dropping The Ball
You must put a ball marker like a coin behind your ball if you
are going to lift the ball. When you drop a ball, stand erect,
hold your arm out straight and drop it. If anyone else's ball
interferes with your swing or is in your line of putt, you may
have it marked and lifted. If you believe your ball is in a
position to help your opponent you may mark and lift
Relief: Hazards & Obstructions
When You Are in a Hazard -- A hazard is any bunker or water
hazard. In a hazard, you may not touch the sand, the ground
or the water with your club before or during your backswing.
In a hazard, you may not remove loose impediments which are
natural items like as leaves, twigs, stumps, nuts, etc. Obstructions
are artificial objects like cigarettes, milk cartons, rakes,
etc. Obstructions can be moved.
Relief: Ball Lost or Out of Bounds
A ball is lost if it is not found within five minutes after
you first begin to search for it. It is out of bounds when all
of it lies out of bounds.
If your ball is lost or out of bounds, (OB) you must add one
penalty stroke and replay your shot from where you last played.
If you believe your ball may be lost or out of bounds, you are
allowed to play a provisional ball from where you originally
played. You must declare that it is a provisional ball. This
is designed to save time.
If you find your original ball you must play it -- you do not
have the option of playing your provisional.
