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RULES & ETIQUETTE

Golf is more fun when you know the rules and know how to act on the course, the rules are intended to make golf fair for everyone. Unless the game is played by the rules, it ceases to be golf and becomes something else. Every golfer should carry a copy of the rules because unlike many other sports, you apply the rules yourself, scoring in golf is based on individuals’ honesty.

There are two basic principles to always remember about golf:
1. Play the ball as it lies
2. Play the course as you find it

Here are a few other basic rules you should understand to get started in golf. As you learn more about golfing, you will learn more about special situations and the rules that apply to them:

Attending the Flagstick - Before and during a stroke the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held to indicate the position of the hole. If your ball strikes the flagstick which is still in the hole when you are putting, you incur a penalty of loss of hole in matchplay or two strokes in stroke play.

Ball in Motion - If a player’s ball in motion, after the stroke, is deflected or stopped by a ball at rest, the player shall play the ball as it lies

Ball in Water Hazard - When your ball lands in a water hazard or lateral water hazard you may hit the ball if you can without grounding your club, or drop a ball and add one penalty stroke to your score (in in one, out in two, hit in three) – a) drop any distance behind the water hazard keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard and spot on which the ball is dropped, or b) play again from where you hit the ball into the hazard

Ball in Lateral Water Hazard - In addition to the above options, under penalty of one stroke, drop within two club lengths of a) the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard or b) a point on the opposite side of the hazard equidistant from the hole

Ball lost Out of Bounds; Provisional - If the ball is lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, another ball must be played from where the last ball was played under penalty of one stroke

Casual water, GUR and abnormal ground conditions - If your ball is in casual water, ground under repair, a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal (eg rabbit), you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole

Cleaning the Ball - A ball on the putting green can be cleaned when lifted

Obstructions - You may move any movable obstruction (artificial or man-made object). If your ball moves replace it without penalty. You may drop the ball away from an immovable obstruction (sprinkler head, car path etc) if it interferes with your swing or stance, or the ball, without penalty. Find your nearest relief not nearer the hole and drop your ball within one club length. Always mark you ball before picking it up. No penalty.

Playing through - If a group is playing faster behind you, let them through. To do this hit your next shot if possible, then move to a safe place in the rough and wave the group behind you through. Walk up the fairway with them so you are ready to play your shot when they are out of the way.

Playing the ball as it lies - The rules generally do not permit you to improve the position of your ball and you may not bend or break anything growing or fixed except in taking a fair swing. You are not allowed to press anything down but you can remove loose natural impediments such as stones, twigs or fallen leaves for no penalty, except in a hazard. In a bunker or water hazard, you are not allowed to ground your club before you hit the ball

Provisional Ball - If after playing a shot you think the ball may be out of bounds or lost, you may play a provisional ball. You must state it is a provisional ball before it is played. If the original ball is lost you must continue with the provisional ball under penalty of one stroke. If the ball is found you must continue to play with it and the provisional ball must be abandoned.

Taking a drop - There are some instances under the rules of golf, where you can pick up the ball and relocate it – sometimes with a penalty and sometimes free. To drop the ball, you must stand upright, hold the ball at shoulder height and arms length and simply drop it. If you drop it and it accidentally touches you, your partner or equipment and rolls closer to the hole, you must drop the ball again, without penalty

Etiquette

There are manners and customs in golf known as etiquette. The idea behind etiquette is to give everyone a chance to play their best, compete fairly and have fun. Golf etiquette is a mixture of common sense and courtesy. Every golfer regardless of experience or level of play will be expected to abide by the same code of behaviour. Even when you step onto a golf course for the first time, there will be an expectation that you understand and observe the code of behaviour:

Golf is a quiet game - never shout, talk loudly or call out to friends on other holes. If you are too noisy you could distract other golfers and spoil their fun.

Stand quietly and safely away from the player swinging or putting
No temper tantrums – just grin and bear it (always abide by the principle of fair play)
Step over others putting lines – don’t scuff the greens.
When looking for your ball you may take up to 5 minutes. If your group has slowed down allow the group behind to play through if there is enough space ahead.
Move off the green as soon as the last player holes out and record the scores on the next tee.
Watch your ball until it comes to rest, line it up with a reference point beyond it.
Repair all divots and ball mark, yours and others.
Club throwing, swearing, cheating and littering is unacceptable.
Take no more that one practice swing before your shot.
Put an identification mark on your ball.
You may carry up to 14 clubs in your bag.
Teeing ground – tee off between and not in front of the tee markers. You may tee off up to 2 club lengths behind the front line of the markers.

Do’s & Don’ts:

DO		DON’T
Enjoy the game Consider the enjoyment of others Play without delay Be ready to play when it is your shot Allow others to play through if searching for a lost ball Rake a bunker after playing from it Repair divot holes and pitch marks After use place rakes outside bunkers		Behave in an unsportsmanlike manner, throw clubs or make unnecessary noise on the course Play a shot until the group in front are out of range Stand too close to a person playing the shot Leave you bag in front of the green Write down scores while on the green Take more than one practice swing Slide, drag feet or lean on putter or flagstick on the green