Brief Guide On The Rules Of Golf
A round of golf - Basically, the purpose of golf is to get a ball into a hole in the least number of hits as possible
. All this takes place on a golf course, which consists of a number of holes each one on its own putting green, and each with a start area called a teeing ground. The rest of the course that the golfer needs to cross in order to get from the start areas to the putting green, consists of open fairway, and rough, sand bunkers, areas of water, and wooded areas (to be avoided). A round of golf refers to the entire game, and this will be a maximum of 18 holes.
Who has won ? - This is decided on what is called match play or stroke play. Match play is the number of holes won per match (up to 18 holes), and stroke play is the number of strokes taken to complete a round (get a ball from the teeing ground to the hole on the putting green). A round of golf is either played as Match Play or Stroke Play.
Rules of Play
Always get to know the rules of the club you are playing at.
Remember that you can only carry a maximum of 14 clubs.
Practice strokes are not allowed once the match has started.
Always mark your balls, in order to prevent mix ups with other player's golf balls.
At the tee off - Teeing off is done between the tee markers, and no more than 2 golf club lengths behind the front line. Obviously you are not allowed to tee off in front of the line.
Penalties at tee off - If you tee off outside of the permitted area, you will receive a 2 stroke penalty. Therefore if you complete a hole in par 3 (3 hits), your actual score will be par 5 (5 hits). This penalty only occurs if you are playing a stroke play game. In a match play game there is no penalty, but your opponent(s) may request that you replay the stroke.
During play - A 2 stroke penalty will be applied if the ball played is not the golfer's. Also, the ball must be hit properly and not pushed or spooned.
The area around the ball must not be altered in any way, it must be left as found, except for where the golfer has to stand to make the stroke. The only change to the area where the ball lies can be made by the golfer assuming strike position, and the strike itself. If any of these rules are broken, the hole itself could be forfeited.
Putting green - Here the ball can be marked and picked up to be cleaned, and the line of play can be cleared of alien artifacts (items that should not be there).
Penalties on the green - If is is a match play, and the ball hits the flagstick, then the hole is lost. If it is a stroke play then the golfer will incur a 2 stroke penalty.
Moving ball after it has come to a stop - If anyone moves the ball in this situation, and have not abided by the rules, then a 2 stroke penalty is applied.
Interference to a moving ball - If a moving golf ball is stopped someone in your team or your caddy, then you will receive a 2 stroke penalty.
If the ball is interfered with by someone other than your own team or caddy, then you can either play it from where is lands, or if it is a stroke play game, then you can replay the stroke.
If your ball hits another player's stationary ball, and you are playing stroke play, then you will receive a 2 stroke penalty. Otherwise the balls are played from where they end up.
What happens if you pick up the ball ? - Balls that are legally picked up, as for cleaning when on the putting green, their position must be clearly marked. If a ball has to be repositioned, as when landing somewhere that is inaccessible, then it must be held at arms length and shoulder height, at a new place that done not give unfair advantage to its original location, and not closer to the green.
If the ball, when dropped, is obstructed by another player, or the daddy, then it must be redropped.
Water areas - If the ball goes into the water, it can either be played from where it landed, or the stroke can be replayed from its original position, or it can be picked up and dropped at a point behind the water area, at a 1 stroke penalty.
Lost balls - It you lose a ball and cannot find it within the allowed 5 minutes, then you must play a new ball from the position the lost ball was struck, and you will incur a 1 stroke penalty.
And finally - It's always a good idea to learn the rules as set down by the United States Golf Association, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. Also, you should get to know any additional rules and etiquette for the club you attend. Knowledge will help prevent penalties and possible loss of matches.
by: Chucksta
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