Rules & Etiquette » Rules 101
Care of the Course
Bunkers
After playing her shot and 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.
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 Damage
Players 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 and caddies 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.
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.
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.
Players should always alert greenstaff 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, she should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "fore."
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.
Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players.
On the teeing ground, a player should not tee her ball until it is her turn to play.
On the Putting Green
On the putting green, players should not stand on or walk through another player's line of putt. When she is making a stroke, do not cast a shadow over her line of putt.
Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.
Scoring
In 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.
Pace of Play
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.
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 and move a safe distance away allowing the group behind to safely play to the putting green.
Lost Ball
If a player believes her ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, she should play a provisional ball. (Rule 27)
If you are holding up play, 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.
You should not search for five minutes before doing so, rather allow the group behind to go through while the search continues. Having allowed the group behind to play through, you should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.
Basic Terminology
Tee markers (Rule 11-2)
When teeing off on a hole, the ball must be behind the tee
markers. (Draw an imaginary line between the two markers and
tee your ball behind that line.)
As it lies (Rule 13)
Play the ball as it lies. This means you may not improve
the way the ball is sitting. If you are on the green, you
may mark and pick up your ball to clean it, but while anywhere
else on the course, you must play the ball as it lies. See
the USGA rule book for special circumstances like winter rules,
obstructions, standing water, etc.
Away (Rule 10)
The ball farthest from the hole is the one that is played
first. The term is "away." Example: "Sara,
you are away, so go ahead and play first." The person
with the lowest score for the hole has "the honors,"
and plays first on the next hole. Many times in social settings,
golfers play out of turn to speed play. In a social environment
this is OK as long as it is safe to do so.
Bunkers (Sand traps) (Rule 13-4/b)
If your ball lands in the bunker, remember to rake it after
you have played your shot. The groups behind you will appreciate
this. Since this is a hazard, you cannot rake it before you
play out of it, and you cannot ground your club prior to the
swing. Practice swings are okay, as long as you do not contact
the sand.
Out of bounds (OB) (Rule 27-1)
If you hit your ball OB, there is a one-stroke penalty, and
you must hit another ball from the exact same place you hit
your first ball. If you are not sure if the ball is OB, hit
a "Provisional Ball" just in case. If you determine
that the first ball is OB, then you continue on and play with
the Provisional Ball. If the first ball is not OB, you must
play it.
Water hazards (Rule 26)
If you hit your ball into a water hazard, you may play it
(could be messy), or play another ball from where you just
hit (with a one-stroke penalty). It is important to see how
the hazard is marked if there are red lines or stakes, another
option is to drop a ball where the original ball entered the
hazard, add a one-stroke penalty and continue play.
Putting green (Rule 16)
When on the green, never walk across another player's line of putt. The line of putt is an imaginary line that the ball will most likely follow towards the hole. The imprint that your feet leave on the green can alter the path of the ball. Always step over the line of the putt or around it.
Have fun
Golf is a great game, so have fun with it and whenever possible,
leave the golf course in the same shape that you found it.
Rub of the Green (Rule 19-1)
A “rub of the green” occurs when a ball in motion is accidentally deflected or stopped by any outside agency.
Basic Rules of Golf
The following is a very basic interpretation of the USGA Rules of Golf and may not answer all of your questions. If you are looking for a ruling or for complete text of the Rules, see the USGA Website (www.usga.org).
Rule 1 -- The Game
• The holes on the course must be played in order (l
through 9, 10 through 18 or 1 through 18).
You must always play by the Rules. You are not allowed to
change them.
Rule 2 -- Match Play
• In match play, each hole is a separate contest. If
you win the first hole, you are "one-up"; if you
lose it, you are "one-down"; if you tie it, you
are "all-square."
• You have won the match when, for example, you are
three-up and there are only two holes left to play.
• Anyone you are playing against is your "opponent."
Rule 3 -- Stroke Play
• In stroke play, the competitor with the lowest total
score for the round (9 or 18 holes) is the winner.
• You must play the ball into the hole before starting
the next hole.
• Anyone you are playing with is a fellow-competitor.
Rules 4 & 5 -- Clubs and the Ball
• You may carry no more than fourteen clubs.
• Normally, you may not change balls during the play
of a hole. However, if you damage or cut your ball, you may
change the ball after first asking your opponent or fellow
competitor.
Rule 6 -- Things a Player Should Do
• Read the notices given to you by the tournament officials.
• Always use your proper handicap.
• Know your tee-time or starting time.
• Make sure you play your own ball (put a mark on the
ball in case someone else is using an identical ball.
• In stroke play, make sure your score for each hole
is correct before you turn in your card.
• Keep playing unless there is lightning, you are ill
or an official tells you to stop.
Rule 7 -- Practice
• You may not hit a practice shot while playing a hole,
or from any hazard.
Note: Always read the local rules about practice.
Rule 8 -- Advice on How to Play
• During a round, you may not ask anyone except your
caddie or partner for advice on how to play. However, you
may ask about Rules or the position of hazards or the flagstick.
• You may not give advice to your opponent or fellow-competitor
Rule 9 -- Informing Opponent on Strokes Taken
• In match play, you must tell your opponent the number
of strokes you have taken if you are asked.
Rule 10 -- When to Play a Shot
• The player who has the lowest score on a hole has
the right to play his/her ball first on the next hole. This
is called the "honor."
• While playing a hole, the player whose ball is farthest
from the hole plays first.
• In match play, if you play out of turn, your opponent
may make you replay your shot. This is not so in stroke play.
Rule 11 -- Teeing Ground
• Tee your ball between the tee-markers and a little
behind them. You may tee your ball as far as two club lengths
behind the markers.
• If your ball accidentally falls off the tee, you may
replace it without penalty.
Rule 12 – Searching for and Identifying your
Ball
• You may lift your ball to identify it anywhere except
in a hazard. You must mark the position of your ball plus
tell your opponent or fellow competitor before you lift your
ball to identify it.
• A hazard is any bunker (area of sand) or water hazard
(lake, pond, creek, etc).
• In a bunker or water hazard, if sand or leaves cover
your ball, you may remove enough of the sand or leaves to
be able to see a part of the ball.
Rule 13 -- Playing the Ball as it Lies on the Course
• You must play the ball as it lies. You may not move
it to a better spot.
• You may not improve your lie by pressing down behind
the ball. The club may be grounded only lightly behind the
ball.
• You may not improve the area of your intended swing
or line of play by bending or breaking anything growing, such
as tree limbs or weeds.
• In a hazard, you may not touch the sand, ground or
water with the club before or during your back swing.
• In a hazard, you may not remove loose impediments
(natural things such as leaves or twigs) but you may remove
obstructions (artificial objects such as bottles or rakes.)
Rule 14 -- Striking the Ball
• If you make a swing intending to hit your ball, it
counts as a stroke.
• You must strike the ball fairly with the head of the
club. You may not push, scrape or rake the ball.
• You must not hit your ball while it is moving.
Rule 15 -- Playing a Wrong Ball
• In match play, if you play a ball that is not yours,
you lose the hole. If you play the wrong ball in a hazard,
there is no penalty and you must then play the right ball.
• In stroke play, if you play a ball that is not yours,
you must take a two-stroke penalty. If you play the wrong
ball in a hazard, you must then play out the hole with your
own ball. If you do not do so, you are disqualified.
Rule 16 -- The Putting Green
• If any part of your ball is touching the green, it
is on the green.
• When your ball is on the green, you may brush away
leaves and other loose impediments within your line of putt.
• You should repair ball marks or old hole plugs if
they are within your line of putt, but you may not repair
marks made by spikes or shoes.
• You may not test the surface of the green by rolling
a ball or scraping the surface.
• Always mark your ball by putting a small coin or other
marker behind it when you want to pick it up to clean or get
it out of another player's way.
Rule 17 -- The Flagstick
• 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 take the flagstick out or ask
another player to hold it and take it out when you play your
ball. In match play, if you putt and your ball hits the flagstick
when it is in the hole, you lose the hole. In stroke play,
you must add two penalty strokes to your score for the hole.
Rule 18 -- Moving the Ball
• If you or your partner move either of your balls on
purpose or accidentally, add a penalty stroke to your score,
replace and play it.
• If someone or something moves your ball other than
you or your partner, (an outside agency) there is no penalty,
but you must replace it. If the ball is moved by wind or water,
you must play it as it lies.
• Once you address the ball, if the ball moves, add
a penalty stroke and replace the ball.
• If you move a loose impediment and that causes the
ball to move, add a penalty stroke, replace it and play it.
On the putting green, there is no penalty, replace it and
play it.
Rule 19 -- Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped
• If your ball hits an outside agency, (bird, rake,
etc.), it is called a "rub of the green." There
is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies.
• If your ball hits you, your partner, your caddie,
or your equipment in match play you lose the hole. In stroke
play, you are penalized two strokes and you must play your
ball as it lies.
• If your ball hits your opponent, his caddie, or his
equipment, there is no penalty; you may play the ball as it
lies or replay the shot.
• If your ball hits a fellow competitor, caddie or equipment
in stroke play, there is no penalty and the ball is played
as it lies. These are the same as outside agencies in stroke
play.
• If your ball hits another ball and moves it, you must
play your ball as it lies. The owner of the other ball must
replace it. If your ball is on the green when you play and
the ball, which your ball hits, is also on the green, you
are penalized two strokes in stroke play. Otherwise, there
is no penalty.
Rule 20 -- Lifting and Dropping the Ball
• If you are going to lift your ball under a Rule and
the Rule requires that the ball be replaced, you must put
a ball-marker behind the ball before you lift it.
• When you drop a ball, stand erect, hold your arm out
straight and drop it.
• If a dropped ball hits the ground and rolls into a
hazard, out of a hazard, comes to rest more than two club-lengths
from where it first struck a part of the course, nearer the
hole or, if you are dropping away from an immovable obstruction
or ground under repair, etc., back into the obstruction or
ground under repair, you must re-drop. If the same thing happens
when you re-drop, you must place the ball where it struck
the ground when it was re-dropped.
Rule 21 -- Cleaning the Ball
• You may clean your ball anytime you are allowed to
lift it, except when it has been lifted to determine if it
is unfit, for identification purposes, or because it interferes
with play.
Rule 22 -- Ball Interfering with or Assisting Play
• If another ball interferes with your swing or is in
your line of putt, you may ask the owner of the ball to lift
it.
• If your ball is near the hole and might serve as a
backstop for another player, you may lift your ball.
Rule 23 -- Loose Impediments
• Loose impediments are natural objects that are not
growing or fixed -- such as leaves, twigs, branches, worms
and insects. You may remove a loose impediment except when
your ball and the loose impediment lie in a banker or water
hazard. (Exception see Rule 12)
Rule 24 -- Obstructions
• Obstructions are artificial or man-made objects. Bottles,
tin cans, rakes, etc., are movable obstructions. Sprinkler
heads, shelter houses, cart paths, etc., are Immovable obstructions.
• Movable obstructions anywhere on the course may be
removed. If the ball moves when moving an obstruction, it
must be replaced without penalty.
• You may drop your ball away from an immovable obstruction
if it interferes with the lie of your ball, your club may
hit it when you make a stroke at the ball, or your feet will
touch it when you take your stance. Find the nearest point
not nearer the hole where you can play without interference.
Drop the ball within one club-length of that point. Note:
You should not pick up the ball from an obstruction until
you have established the nearest point of relief.
Rule 25 -- Casual Water; Ground Under Repair; Animal
Holes; Wrong Putting Green.
• Casual water is any temporary puddle of water caused
by rain or over watering. Ground under repair is any damaged
area, which the Committee has marked as such.
• If your ball or your stance is in casual water, ground
under repair or a burrowing animal hole, you may either play
the ball as it lies or find the nearest place not nearer the
hole which gives you relief, and drop the ball within one
club-length of that place.
• If your ball is in casual water, etc., and you cannot
find it, determine where the ball entered the area and drop
a ball within one club-length of that place without penalty.
• If your ball is on the wrong green, find the nearest
place off the green, which is not nearer the hole, and drop
the ball within one club-length of that place.
Rule 26 -- Water Hazards
• Water hazard margins are identified by yellow stakes
or lines. Lateral water hazard margins are identified by red
stakes or lines.
• If your ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water
hazard, you may play it as it lies. If you cannot find it
or do not wish to play it, you have two options with a yellow
hazard and four options with a red hazard. Add a penalty stroke
and drop and play another ball from where you last played;
or drop a ball behind the water hazard as far back as you
wish. If you decide to drop behind the hazard, drop the ball
so that there is a straight line between the hole, where your
ball last crossed the hazard margin and where you drop the
ball. If your ball is in a red (lateral) water hazard, you
may choose to drop a ball within two club-lengths of where
the ball last crossed the hazard margin, no nearer to the
hole. See the full text of Rule 26 for the fourth option.
Rule 27 -- Ball Lost or Out of Bounds
• A ball is lost if it is not found within five minutes
after you first begin to search.
• A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies beyond
the inside line of objects such as white stakes, or a fence
or wall that marks the playing area.
• If your ball is lost or out of bounds, you must add
a penalty stroke to your score and play another ball from
where you played your last shot.
• If you think your ball may be lost or out of bounds,
you may play a ”provisional ball” from the place
where your first ball was played. You must tell your opponent
or fellow-competitor that you are playing a provisional ball
and play it before you look for the first ball. If you cannot
find your first ball or if it is out of bounds, you must count
the strokes with the first and provisional balls, add a penalty
stroke and play out the hole with the provisional ball. If
you find your first ball in bounds, continue play with it
and pick up the provisional ball.
Rule 28 -- Ball Unplayable
• If your ball is under a tree or in some other bad
situation and you decide you cannot play it, add a penalty
stroke and do one of the following:
1. Go back to where you played the last shot and play a ball
from there
2. Measure two club-lengths from the unplayable lie, not nearer
the hole, drop a ball and play from there
3. Keep the unplayable lie between where you drop the ball
and the hole, go back as far as you wish on a straight line
and drop and play the ball.
Rules 29 - 34 Pertain to Other Forms of Play, Committee Authority and Responsibility.
For a complete discussion of the Rules of Golf, visit the USGA's web site
