The Game of Golf
Golf is played in a round of 18 (or fewer) holes on a course by striking a ball with a club.
Each hole starts with a stroke from the teeing area and ends when the ball is holed on the putting green (or when the Rules otherwise say the hole is completed).
For each stroke, the player:
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Plays the course as they find it, and
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Plays the ball as it lies.
But there are exceptions where the Rules allow the player to alter conditions on the course and require or allow the player to play the ball from a different place than where it lies.
Standards of Player Conduct
Conduct Expected of All Players All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by: • Acting with integrity – for example, by following the Rules, applying all penalties, and being honest in all aspects of play. • Showing consideration to others – for example, by playing at a prompt pace, looking out for the safety of others, and not distracting the play of another player. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there might be a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning, such as the traditional warning of “fore”. Rule 1 introduces these central principles of the game for the player: • Play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. • Play by the Rules and in the spirit of the game. • You are responsible for applying your own penalties if you breach a Rule, so that you cannot gain any potential advantage over your opponent in match play or other players in stroke play. The Game, Player Conduct 1 and the Rules Rule 1 21 Rule 1 • Taking good care of the course – for example, by replacing divots, smoothing bunkers, repairing ball-marks, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course. There is no penalty under the Rules for failing to act in this way, except that the Committee may disqualify a player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game if it finds that the player has committed serious misconduct. “Serious misconduct” is player behaviour that is so far removed from what is expected in golf that the most severe sanction of removing a player from the competition is justified.
Balls
You must start and finish the hole with the same ball. The only exceptions are hitting the ball in a water hazard or losing it. However, you may change the ball after you’ve finished the hole; you’ll see the pros doing this, especially if the ball is scuffed.
Rules for Teeing Off
You need to tee up behind the imaginary horizontal line created by the two tee markers. You can go as close to the markers as you like, and you can tee up as far back as 90inches; the easiest way to check is by measuring with your driver, which is generally 45inches in length. Like tennis, you MUST be behind the line when you tee off. A common occurrence is the golf ball falling off the tee before making your swing. When this happens, no penalty is incurred, and you’re free to place the ball back. The most irritating part of this is the inevitable wisecrack from someone in the group yelling out “one.” Unfortunately, the shot counts if you “whiff” the ball, which is golf terminology for a swing and a miss. You cannot put the ball back on the tee; you must play it where it lies; remember, you’re now playing your 2nd shot. Who tees off first in a group of four is decided by the lowest score on the previous hole. The player with the lowest score tees off first, with the highest score going last. There are exceptions to this rule if playing casually, with most groups allowing whoever’s ready to play first. The player furthest from the pin plays first from the fairway and on the green. Good etiquette in golf forms the game’s foundation; Remember, when your playing partners tee off, you should stand to the side of the teeing area, staying still and out of their peripheral vision. This shows good manners and allows them to tee off with no distractions.
Rules of Play During a Hole
Under no circumstance are you allowed to move your ball by hand or foot to find a better lie. This rule is taken most seriously; moving your ball is considered the worst form of cheating in golf and is rightfully frowned upon. You are not allowed to use a tee when playing from the fairway. You’re also not allowed to flatten out the lie directly behind your ball; this is an honest mistake many beginners make. If you find yourself in the bushes, you’re not allowed to snap branches to make your shot easier. Never ground your club while playing out of the bunker. Using the rake to improve your lie is also a big no-no, as is touching the sand with your hands to check the consistency. However, you can clean up any rocks or leaves that might be sitting behind the ball, but again be careful not to touch the sand. Practice swings and touching the sand in “waste bunkers” are allowed, but check where they are before starting the round. Water Hazards, on occasion, will be dry, in which case you can ground your club and play out of them. Although in the North of Australia and places like Florida, I’d strongly advise against going in any water hazard. You cannot place any tool or device in front of your ball to help with direction and accuracy. When moving impediments that are close to your ball, be sure not to move the ball as this would incur a 1 shot penalty. Examples of obstructions you can move are leaves, pebbles, gravel, feathers, and pine needles. Never “kick” them, as this is considered poor etiquette. If you have an “unplayable lie” behind a tree or bush, you’re best advised to take a drop because you cannot break branches. Simply pick up your ball, drop it two clubs lengths from the original position and play from there. Oh, and don’t forget to add the 1 shot penalty for picking up.
Practice Swings
You’re allowed to take as many practice swings as you like, just not so many that you slow the group down. Remember you cant “hit” another ball; you can only “shadow swing.” You can ground your club in the fairway but never in bunkers unless they’re designated explicitly as “waste bunkers.”
O.O.P or Order of Play
Order of play is one rule in golf that is quite flexible in a casual setting, meaning not in tournaments or club golf days. In tournament play, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first. From the fairway, the player furthest from the green plays first. Once the group is on the green, the player furthest from the pin plays first. You’ll find that when playing casually, this rule typically flies out the window, and whoever is ready first can let the others know and play their shot. Just ensure you’re not playing at the same time as others in your group.
Playing the Ball
You must only hit it once when playing with the ball, and “scooping” the ball is strictly prohibited, as is playing a hockey-style stroke where the ball is “caressed.” Your ball must be at a complete stop before you can make contact; if you hit a moving ball, a 1 shot penalty is incurred. Before playing your shot, double-check that you’re playing your ball; playing the wrong ball will lead to a 2 stroke penalty; the easiest way to mitigate this is by clearly marking your ball before the start of play.
Rules for the Greens
Like in tennis, when any part of the ball touches the line, it’s considered “in,” golf also applies the same rule around the greens. If your ball is only slightly touching the green, then it’s considered to be “on” the green. This is a lucky break because it allows you to pick the ball up and clean off any dirt from the previous shot.
Putting
While on the green, you’re free to move pebbles and other impediments from the line of your putt. You can use a divot tool to fix spike and ball marks between the line of your ball and the pin; take your time but be careful not to delay play. Never touch or feel the grain of the grass or putting surface; this is a big no-no. More often than not, your ball might be impeding the line of your playing partner, in which case you’ll need to “mark” your ball. Simply place a ball marker or small coin directly behind the ball to mark your ball. It’s imperative that you return your ball to the same position when it’s your turn to putt. Many golfers try to “sneak” an inch here or there; unfortunately, most are never invited to play again; golf is a game of tradition and etiquette; there’s no room for cheating. Sometimes your ball hangs on the lip of the cup; when this happens, you can wait 10 seconds; if the ball drops in before then, lucky you; if not, you’ll need to add the extra shot. Finally, the most important thing to remember while on the green is being cautious not to stand on the line of your playing partner’s putt. This is another, you guessed it, big n-no, as your spikes could leave marks directly on their line. Taking note of where everyone is when first walking onto the green is the best way to avoid this problem.
Pin
If you play from off the green and your ball strikes the pin, there is no penalty unless someone is touching the flagstick. In the past, you were unable to putt with the pin in, however, a recent rule change now permits it, saving time and, most importantly, no more penalty.
Unintentional Movement of Your Ball
When looking for your ball, you have three minutes to find it. If you can’t find it, you must go back to the tee and hit it again; this also incurs a 1 shot penalty. Sometimes an animal might move your ball; yes, I’ve had a bird pick up my ball and drop it back down the fairway; luckily, there is no penalty. Your partner’s ball might also hit your ball on occasion; there is no penalty for this; simply pick up your ball and replace it to its original position. If your ball moves by the forces of mother nature, like wind, no penalty is incurred, and you play the ball from where it now lies. Do not pick it up and replace it to where it sat.
Rules for Marking and Dropping
Dropping the ball is straightforward; it’s simply a matter of dropping from knee height and ensuring the ball makes no contact with you or your bag. In years past, you had to drop from shoulder height, which made dropping quite tricky and often led to a worse lie. After dropping your ball sometimes, it can roll back into a water hazard; if this happens, you can pick up the ball and drop it again without penalty. You need to take relief, and your stance cannot be impeded on. If, after two attempts, your ball ends up in the hazard, then place it on the exact spot where it landed on your last drop. You must watch precisely where your ball entered the water because you’ll need to drop from the same spot. Unfortunately, this is another area where players can cheat as they try dropping either closer to the hole or giving themselves a better angle. Either way, it’s not on. It’s best to ask your playing before you make the drop and make sure that everyone agrees.
Drops with No Penalty; Or "Free Drops"
You are allowed to take a free drop if you see standing water that’s clearly visible on the ground. You can also take a free drop if you see water or mud while taking your stance. When dropping, make sure you drop to the side or the back of the standing water; you cannot drop the ball closer to the pin. While playing, you sometimes see signs with the letter GUR which stands for Ground Under Repair. If your ball lands inside the roped-off area, you can retrieve it and drop free of penalty, but not closer to the flagstick. If your ball lands near or, God forbid, in an animal burrow, you can retrieve it and drop it without penalty. A wayward shot can sometimes land on the green of another hole. You can pick up the ball and drop it one club length off the green in this situation. Under no circumstances do you ever play it off the green, as you’ll leave a divot and won’t be popular when you get back to the clubhouse.
Marking Your Ball
On occasion, the ball of your playing partner might be hindering your swing or putt, in which case you can ask him to move the ball and mark it with no penalty to either player. If a ball hinders your swing on the fairway, you can also pick it up and mark it, preferably with a tee. An important note is that you cannot clean it after picking up the ball. Depending on how the ball lies, sometimes you’re unable to identify whether it’s actually your ball; in this case, you can mark the ball and pick it up to check. If it is your ball, replace it and play from there.
Rules for Dealing with Obstructions
You can move things like cans and bottles or other manmade products like a rake someone might have left out of the bunker; these are classified as “movable obstructions.” “Immovable obstructions” are things like sprinkler heads and cart paths which you can take a free drop if they hinder your stance. If your ball rests up against a dwelling or building, you can take a free drop but check the rules of your local course because it can vary from club to club. When removing obstructions such as manufactured bottles and cans, avoid moving the ball; otherwise, you’ll incur a 1 stroke penalty. Sprinkler heads and other “immovable objects” interfering with your swing incur no penalty; simply mark your ball and drop it so you can swing unimpeded. There is some ambiguity with this rule as different clubs have “local rules,” so check with the pro shop before heading out for your round.
Out Of Bounds
If you think your tee shot has sailed out-of-bounds, you can play another shot, called a “provisional ball,” just in case you can’t find your first tee shot. If you do find your first ball, you can simply pick up your provisional ball with no penalty. If you can’t find your first tee shot or it’s “unplayable,” you can play the provisional, but you’ll need to add a 1 stroke penalty. It’s considered good etiquette to let others in your group know that you’re playing the provisional ball; it’s always good to be transparent with your scoring. A lost ball is simply defined as a ball you cant find within the allotted 3 minutes. Regarding, Out-Of-Bounds, your ball must be entirely outside the designated O.O.B. area.
Unplayable
If you find your ball trapped in a bush or under a tree, you can consider it “unplayable,” in which case you can take a drop and add a 1 shot penalty. You must drop the ball on the same line and cannot move it any closer to the hole; you can, however, go back as far as you like as long as you hold the line. You also can walk back to the tee and play your shot again.