Description

1. Play the Course as You Find It

Golfers must play the course in its natural state without altering it.

2. No Referees

Golf relies on self-regulation; players are responsible for their own conduct and adherence to the rules.

3. Respect Other Players

Maintain pace, minimize distractions, and show consideration for fellow golfers.

4. The Teeing Ground

Tee off from within the designated teeing area, between the markers and no more than two club lengths behind them.

5. Play the Ball as It Lies

Play the ball from its current position unless a rule allows relief.

6. Penalties and Breaches

Penalties vary by infraction—from one stroke for minor breaches up to disqualification for serious violations.

7. Accidentally Moving Your Ball

• On the Green: No penalty if moved accidentally; replace it to its original spot. If wind moves it, play as it lies.
• On the Tee: No penalty for accidentally moving the ball. Swinging at the ball counts as one stroke.
• Ball in Play: Accidental movement during practice swings carries no penalty but the ball must be replaced. Failure to replace results in penalties.

8. Lost Ball and Out of Bounds Procedure

If your ball is lost or out of bounds (marked by white stakes or fences), you must take a stroke-and-distance penalty. This means you return to the spot of your previous stroke, add one penalty stroke, and play another ball. You have 3 minutes to search for a lost ball before it is declared lost. Be sure to check local rules as some courses may have alternatives.

9. Unplayable Lie

Player decides if the ball is unplayable (except in water hazards) and may:

• Drop within two club lengths, no closer to the hole (+1 stroke)
• Replay from original spot (+1 stroke)
• Drop anywhere behind the ball, keeping line to hole (+1 stroke)

10. Unplayable Lie in a Bunker

Options include:

• Replay original shot (+1 stroke)
• Drop within two club lengths in bunker (+1 stroke)
• Drop anywhere in bunker behind ball (+1 stroke)
• Drop outside bunker on line from hole through ball (+2 strokes)

11. Removing Objects in a Bunker

You may remove loose impediments (e.g., leaves, wrappers) without penalty, unless local rules state otherwise.

12. Water Hazards

• Yellow: Play ball as it lies, replay shot (+1 stroke), or drop behind hazard on line (+1 stroke).
• Red (Lateral): Same as yellow, plus drop within two club lengths of crossing point (+1 stroke).

13. Putting Green Rules

You may mark, lift, clean, and replace your ball on the green. Avoid interfering with others’ lines.

14. Ball Markers

Use an appropriate marker to mark the ball’s position when lifted on the green.

15. Improving Your Swing Path

Do not alter or remove anything growing or fixed to improve your lie or swing. Penalty: 2 strokes.

16. Grounding Your Club in a Hazard

Practice swings inside hazards are allowed. Accidentally touching ground or water with club is not a penalty.

17. Number of Allowed Clubs

Maximum 14 clubs in your bag. Penalty: 2 strokes per hole, max 4 strokes total.

18. Changing Club Characteristics

Clubs may not be altered once play begins. Disqualification penalty, except tightening loose heads.

19. Casual Water

Free relief allowed from visible water not in hazards; drop within one club length, no closer to the hole.

20. Ground Under Repair (GUR)

Free relief without penalty when ball lies in an area marked GUR.

21. Loose Impediments

You may remove loose impediments anywhere without penalty unless the ball moves.

22. Nearest Point of Relief (NPR)

If interference occurs from immovable obstruction, abnormal ground condition, or wrong putting green:

• Determine the spot closest to original ball position, not nearer the hole, for relief.
• Drop within one club length of NPR, no closer to the hole.
• Only lift ball after deciding to take relief.

23. Double Hit Rule

No penalty if ball struck twice in one stroke; count as two strokes.

24. Playing Out of Turn

Allowed in casual play; may incur penalty in formal competitions if rules not followed.

25. Interference by Outside Agencies

Relief allowed if outside agencies (e.g., animals) interfere with your shot or lie.

26. Equipment Use

Only conforming clubs and balls allowed. Non-conforming equipment results in penalties.

27. Asking for Advice

You cannot ask an opponent what club they used. Penalty: 2 strokes.

28. Scoring Errors

Players must keep accurate scores and correct errors before submitting scorecards.

29. Etiquette and Pace of Play

Be ready to play when it’s your turn and respect other players’ pace.

30. Final Score Submissions

Scores must be accurately recorded and submitted per tournament rules before leaving.

31. How to Drop a Ball

After finding NPR, stand outside drop area, drop ball from knee height. Ball may roll up to two club lengths, no closer to hole. If it rolls farther, re-drop up to twice; then place ball where it first touched ground.

32. Ball on a Cart Path

Cart path is immovable obstruction; free relief allowed:

• Find NPR with full swing and stance relief.
• Drop within one club length, no nearer the hole.
• Ball may roll two club lengths after drop, no nearer the hole.

Note: Worn dirt paths beside cart paths are not obstructions, no relief.

33. Repairing the Line of Your Putt

Repair ball marks and remove loose impediments without pressing anything down.

34. Playing from the Wrong Place

If you play a stroke from a place other than where the rules require you to play, you incur a penalty that varies by format: in stroke play, add two penalty strokes; in match play, you lose the hole. The ball must be replayed from the correct spot.

35. Hitting the Wrong Ball

• Stroke Play: 2-stroke penalty, replay original ball.
• Match Play: Loss of hole. Only first player to hit wrong ball penalized.

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— Copyright Glen Bowen, © 2025