The Rules of Golf

1. Play the Ball as it lies.

2. Play the Course as you find it.

3. When you cannot do #1 or #2,

use the Rules of Golf.

The Three Basics

At least, if you think that means you always get a break.

“Free Relief” does NOT always make it better.

“Fair” really means that all golfers are treated alike in like circumstances, according to the Rules.

You get the same ruling as Tiger.

Golf (like life) is not “Fair.”

Every player is responsible to all other players in the field, and to the Game of Golf.

Ask any high caliber golfer, “On whom have you called the most penalties?”

Answer is always: “ME” Do the right thing. And don’t expect to be

congratulated. It’s the MINIMUM expected. Bobby Jones: “You might as well compliment a person for

NOT robbing a bank.”

YOU are the Rules Official

Make it YOUR Ball (Rules 6-5 & 12-1)

Teeing Ground (Rule 11)Tee off within two (2) club-lengths

behind the front edges of the tee-markers.

Your feet can be OUTSIDE the Teeing Ground.

Teeing Ground (Rule 11-4b)

If the ball is outside, in stroke play you incur a two (2)-stroke penalty and must then play from within the proper area.

Player must correct the error before tee shot on next hole, or be disqualified.

What do you do, when you see this?

TELL the player (even if your opponent) BEFORE the stroke, so there is no penalty.

If you’re that player, say “Thank You.”

Advice (Rule 8)

Don’t ask for advice from anyone except your partner in match play or your caddie. Don’t give advice to anyone except your partner (Rule 8-1).

General Penalty = 2“Information” on the Rules or public information

is not “advice.”Remember: Teammates are not partners!!!!!!

ADVICE “What club did you

use?” “How far is my ball

from the hole?” “You’ve got 90

yards from there.”

INFORMATION

“Where’s the flagstick on this hole?”

“How far is that tree from the hole?”

“What does the scorecard say the hole yardage is?”

Advice / Information

Loose Impediments

Loose impediments are natural objects (such as stones and leaves) not fixed or growing, not solidly embedded and not adhering to the ball (Rule 23).

Loose Impediments

You may move them UNLESS the loose impediment and your ball lie in or touch the same hazard (Rule 23-1).

Only if specifically in the Local Rules/ Conditions of Competition. NOT everywhere. Usually limited to:

“closely mown area” (fairway & green collar). Within one (1) club length, not nearer hole. Cleaning permitted.

BEFORE you touch Ball: “M-A-L” Mark (with coin, etc.) Announce your intention to your marker. Lift (only AFTER the first two)

Winter Rules- “Preferred Lies”

Loose Impediments

If you move a loose impediment within one club-length of your ball and your ball moves, the ball must be replaced and (unless your ball was on the putting green) you incur ONE penalty stroke (Rule 18-2c).

Abnormal Ground Conditions

If your ball is in casual water, ground under repair or, a hole, cast or runway made by a burrowing animal, you may drop without penalty within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. No Relief if your ball lies in a water hazard.

What is “casual water”? Look around your shoe.

Obstructions

Objects defining out of bounds such as fence posts or stakes and immovable artificial objects out of bounds are NOT obstructions (Rule 24).

Therefore: No Relief!!!!May Use Unplayable Ball

Rule 28 – 1 stroke penalty

Obstructions

Obstructions are artificial (i.e., man-made) objects.

Movable

Immovable

Two (2) Kinds

Moveable Obstructions

Movable obstructions anywhere may be moved. If your ball moves, replace it without penalty (Rule 24-1).

Mark Your Ball BEFORE you Move the Obstruction.

Obstructions

If an immovable obstruction interferes with your lie, stance or swing, you may, except when your ball is in a water hazard, drop within one club-length of the nearest POINT of relief not nearer the hole.

24-2. Immovable Obstruction

b. RELIEF(i) Through the Green: If the

ball lies through the green, the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies shall be determined which:(a) is not nearer the hole,(b) avoids interference (as defined) and(c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.

Use the Club Likely to be Used on the Shot

Which is the “nearest POINT?”

24-2. Immovable Obstructionb. RELIEF(i) Through the

Green:The player shall lift the

ball and drop it within one (1) club-length of the point thus determined on a part of the course which fulfills (a), (b) and (c) above.

Relief must be complete.

“Measuring Club” may be DIFFERENT

than the Club used for “Nearest Point”

Obstructions

In a bunker drop in the bunker, and on the putting green place in the nearest position which affords relief, not nearer the hole.

Is it “Moveable”? Yes, if you can move it.

ObstructionsThere is NO relief for

intervention on your line of play.

NO “line of sight” relief.

Only for INTERFERENCE

If you can swing without hitting it, there is NO ReliefYou Just Do the Best You Can

Relief from “Interference”But No “Line of Sight” Relief

Two (2) DIFFERENT TypesWater Hazards (Yellow) – 3 Options- Must PLAY over hazard, not DROP over it.

Lateral Hazards (Red) – 5 Options

Water Hazards

Water Hazard (YELLOW)(3 options) - Review

1. Play the ball as it lies. No Penalty, or

Under penalty of one stroke:2. Play a ball under the stroke

and distance procedure.3. Drop behind the hazard

keeping the “POINT” which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

2

3

1 “THE POINT”

NOT Trace BACK on “Line of Flight”

Never trace BACKWARD on the “line of flight” Trace FORWARD on the “line of flight,” but

ONLY to determine a “POINT” NEVER drop the ball on the “line of flight”

“Line of Flight”

Relief Options with a Water (Yellow) Hazard

2

1

3

The Putt

3 Options

1)Play as it lies (from hazard)

2)Stroke & Distance

(Putt again)

3)Drop on Line thru POINT

The POINT

Lateral Water Hazard 5 options - Same 3 plus 2

1. Play the ball as it lies.Under penalty of one (1) stroke:2. Play a ball under the stroke and

distance procedure.3. Drop behind the hazard keeping

the POINT between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

4. Drop 2 club-lengths from the point of entry into the hazard.

5. Drop 2 club-lengths from point on the opposite margin, equidistant from the hole.

1

34

5

2

POINT

NOT trace Back on “Line of Flight”

Is a whiff considered a one stroke penalty stroke?

Answer – Yes because you tried to strike the ball, it was considered in play.

Whiff

Wrong Ball

IF YOU PLAY THE WRONG BALL (2 STROKES OR LOSS OF HOLE)

• PLAY OUT HOLE WITH CORRECT BALL

• REPLACE BALL NEAREST LOCATION WHERE BALL WAS CONTACTED

Lost Ball

• 5 MINUTES TIME LIMIT

• DROP (PROVISIONAL BALL)FROM SPOT LAST PLAYED (1 STROKE)

• MAY BE RETEED IF LOST FROM THE TEE SHOT (HITTING 3)

CANNOT GROUND CLUB (2 STROKES)

IF BALL IS COMPLETELY BURIED OR COVERED ◦ YOU CAN REMOVE ENOUGH OF THE

IMPEDIMENT TO SEE THE BALL

SAND BUNKERS

OTHER THAN A HAZARD OR THE GREEN◦ ONE CLUB LENGTH

RELIEF ◦ NO CLOSER TO THE

HOLE◦ NO PENALTY

IN A HAZARD ◦ PLAY IT AS IT LIES;◦ LIFT WITHOUT

PENALTY AND DROP IN THE HAZARD NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE

◦ LIFT AND DROP OUTSIDE THE HAZARD; PENALTY 1 STROKE

CASUAL WATER, GROUND UNDER REPAIR, OR....

IF YOU HIT THE FLAGSTICK WHILE PUTTING (2 STROKES OR LOSS OF HOLE)

HITTING THE FLAGSTICK WHEN IT LIES ON THE GREEN (2 STROKES, PLAY IT WHERE IT LIES; LOSS OF HOLE)

HITTING AN ATTENDED STICK OR THE ATTENDEE (SAME AS PREVIOUS)

ON THE GREEN

TOUCHING THE GROUND ON YOUR LINE OF PUTT (2 STROKES OR HOLE) EXCEPT:◦TO REPAIR BALL MARK◦CLEAN BALL◦REMOVE LOOSE IMPEDIMENT, ETC....

IF YOUR BALL LANDS ON THE WRONG GREEN (1 CLUB LENGTH RELIEF, NO PENALTY)

ON THE GREEN (CONT.)

IF YOUR OPPONENTS BALL IS IN THE LINE OF YOUR PUTT◦ASK THAT IT BE MARKED & LIFTED◦MARKER MAY BE PLACED 1 OR MORE

PUTTERHEAD-LENGTHS TO THE SIDE◦THE PLAYER IN THE LINE CAN PUT FIRST

ON THE GREEN (CONT.)

HITTING ANOTHER PLAYERS BALL◦REPLACE IT◦2 STROKE PENALTY

EVERY PLAYER MUST HOLE OUT ON EVERY HOLE

ON THE GREEN (CONT.)

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Addressing the BallTaking a stance and grounding the

club(except in a hazard)

AwayBall furthest from the hole

Divot

Turf displaced by player’s club when making a swing

Dog-legA hole in which the route of play angles to the right or left before

reaching the putting surface

FairwayClosely mowed route of play between

teeing area and putting green

ForeA warning cry to any person in the way of

play

GreenThe putting surface

HazardA term used to designate bunkers(sand

traps or water areas

HookA stroke made by a right-handed

player which curves the ball to the left of the target

General Rules

RulesIf the ball falls off the tee before

you take a forward swing you may replace it without penalty

RulesIf you swing and miss after

addressing the ball it counts one stroke

RulesIf you top the ball and knocked it off

the tee- it counts as a stroke and must play it where it lies

RulesYou may not improve your lie by

moving,breaking, or bending growing vegetation

RulesThere is no penalty if a players ball moves an opponent ball. The ball moved must be

replaced. When both balls lie on the putting green the player whose ball strikes

the other players ball must take a two stroke penalty

RulesIf your ball is found after you have played

another, you must continue to play the second ball

Rules

If your ball lies up against a tree or in some other equally bad spot, you

yourself must decide weather you can play it from there or not. If you decide it’s playable, you must play it as it lies, But if you decide it isn’t

You may go back to the spot from which you hit it and play a ball adding one penalty stroke to your score for that hole and counting all strokes played or…..

Cont:

Under a one-stroke penalty you may drop a ball within two club-lengths of the point where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole

Cont:

RulesIf you think your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, to save

time you may play a provisional ball providing(1) you do so before going

forward to look for your ball and

(2) you tell your opponent what you intend to do before playing it.

Cont:

If a ball touches an artificial obstruction such as a hose, you may move the hose. If you ball touches some immovable artificial obstruction, like a bench of drinking fountain you may

Rules

You may drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief but no nearer the hole

Cont:

If your certain that your ball is “lost” in ground under repair or in casual water or in a hole made by a burrowing animal you do not have to take a penalty stoke for a lost ball

Rules

RulesIf a ball is completely covered by sand, fallen leaves or the like in a

water hazard or sand trap, you may remove as much of the material as

necessary so you can see the top of the ball

RulesIf your ball lands in the sand trap

you may not touch the hazard with your hand or club and clear away

excess sand

If your ball lies against the pin and all of it does not lie below the level of the lip of the hole it cannot be counted as being in the cup

When you pull the pin out the ball drops in it is counted as “holed out”

If the ball falls away from the pin the ball is placed on the lip of the hole

Rules

RulesIf leaves or other loose

impediments lie on the green you may remove them without penalty.

If your ball moves after a loose impediment has been touched, it shall be replaced without penalty.

You must not touch the ground in your line of putt except that you may

Repair a ball mark or an old plug Lift the ball for cleaning Remove a loose impediment

Rules

RulesIf you land on the wrong green you must pick your ball up and drop it

within one club length at the nearest point of relief but not

nearer the hole

RulesIf your ball knocks your opponent’s

ball into the cup he is considered to have holed out on his previous

stroke.

In stroke play when both ball lie on the putting green if your ball strikes a fellow-competitor's ball you must take a penalty of two strokes and the other player’s ball must be returned to its original position

Rules

RulesOn the putting green you may lift

and clean your ball without penalty

Albatross: (or double-eagle) is three strokes under par.

Eagle: Is two strokes under par. Birdie: Is one stroke under par. Par: Is strokes equal to par. Bogey: one stroke more than par. Double bogey: two strokes over par. Triple bogey: three strokes over par.

Scoring

Ettiquette

Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

The Spirit of the Game

Players should always alert players nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.

If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "fore.“

Safety

Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.

Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.

Safety

On the Putting GreenOn the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.

Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

Consideration for Other Players

ScoringIn stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

Consideration for Other Players

No Disturbance or Distraction

Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise.

On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play.

Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

Consideration for Other Players

Play at Good Pace and Keep Up

Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.

It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.

Pace of Play

Be Ready to Play

Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

Pace of Play

Lost Ball

If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball.

Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found.

They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

Pace of Play

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

Priority on the Course

Bunkers

Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.

Care of the Course

Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes

Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself).

On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

Preventing Unnecessary DamagePlayers should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.

Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.

In order to avoid damaging the hole, players should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.

Cont.

Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.

The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.

Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

The Most Important Thing

The Rules of Golf