Need to Know Rules

USGA GOLF RULES  MATCH PLAY  WIN OR LOSE THE HOLE  MEDAL PLAY  TOTAL STROKES

Player Responsibility 6-1. Rules -Player and caddie are responsible for knowing the Rules Time of Starting and Groups -Player responsible for starting on time; he is disqualified if he fails to do so Ball -Player responsible for identifying; should put individual identification mark on ball.

Scoring in Stroke Play -Player responsible for correct hole-by-hole scores, signatures. (If sign for score lower than actually made – DQ; if sign for score higher, take score.) Undue Delay; Slow Play -Player responsible for playing at proper pace. Player Responsibility

ON THE TEE  MUST TEE BETWEEN OR BEHIND TEE MARKERS  IF THE BALL FALLS OFF THE TEE, WHEN NOT IN PLAY, IT IS NOT A STROKE  WHEN DOES IT COST A STROKE?  A “WIFF” IS A STROKE

ON THE FAIRWAY OR IN THE ROUGH  YOU MUST PLAY THE BALL WHERE IT LIES  YOU CANNOT IMPROVE YOUR LIE BY MOVING, BREAKING, OR BENDING GROWING VEGETATION  (2 STROKES OR LOSS OF HOLE)  YOU CAN MOVE LOOSE NATURAL OBJECTS WITHOUT PENALTY; BUT IF YOU MOVE THE BALL (1 STROKE)  IF YOU PLAY THE WRONG BALL  (2 STROKES OR LOSS OF HOLE)  PLAY OUT HOLE WITH CORRECT BALL

LOST BALL  5 MINUTES AND/OR PLAY THRU  DROP (PROVISIONAL BALL)FROM SPOT LAST PLAYED (1 STROKE)  MAY BE RETEED IF LOST FROM THE TEE SHOT  (HITTING 3)

If a ball moves and comes to rest in some other place, it must be replaced in its original location -Exception: ball moved by wind, water or gravity – play it as it lies 18-1Moved by Outside Agency -No penalty -The ball must be replaced -Neither wind nor water is an outside agency 18-2 Moved by Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment -a. General (player causes ball to move) -b. Ball moves after address -Player incurs a one-stroke penalty -The ball must be replaced Ball at Rest Moved

 Moved by Fellow-Competitor, Caddie or Equipment in Stroke Play -No penalty – The ball must be replaced  Moved by Another Ball in Motion -No penalty (Exception: stroke play when both balls on green) -The ball must be replaced  Ball Moved in Measuring -No penalty, provided directly attributable to act of measuring -The ball must be replaced

RULES FOR HAZARDS

Water Hazards

WATER HAZARDS  IF YOUR BALL LANDS IN WATER:  IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE A SHOT GO FOR IT (CAN’T GROUND CLUB)  PLAY A PROVISIONAL BALL FROM THE SPOT LAST PLAYED (1 STROKE)  DROP BEHIND THE HAZARD (1 STROKE)  LATERAL WATER HAZARD  PLAY FROM LAST SPOT OR;  DROP WITHIN 2 CLUB LENGTHS OF HAZARD MARGIN

SAND BUNKERS  CANNOT GROUND CLUB (2 STROKES)  IF BALL IS COMPLETELY BURIED OR COVERED  YOU CAN REMOVE ENOUGH OF THE IMPEDIMENT TO SEE THE BALL

CASUAL WATER, GROUND UNDER REPAIR, OR.... Fairway  ONE CLUB LENGTH RELIEF  NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE  NO PENALTY ON THE GREEN… LIFT WITHOUT PENALTY AND PLACE TO GET MOST RELIEF POSSIBLE; NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE

Lifting, Dropping & Placing  Lifting and Marking Ball must be marked before it is lifted if it is to be replaced. Drop- In a fairway- if relief is needed then drop ball no more than two feet from original location and no closer to the hole

Loose Impediments -Loose impediments are natural objects. -Loose impediments may be removed, except: -when ball and loose impediment lie in the same hazard. -when ball is in motion –

Obstructions Definition -Artificial objects except: O.B. fence Movable Obstruction - May be moved, if ball moves, no penalty, replace it.

Ball Lost; Out of Bounds (a.k.a. Lost) 1a - Proceeding Under Stroke and Distance 1b - Ball Out of Bounds 1c - Ball Not Found Within Five Minutes 27-2.Provisional Ball -Must announce intent to play provisional ball -Must play before going forward to search

RULES ON THE GREEN

ON THE GREEN  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)  OPPONENTS BALL IN THE LINE OF YOUR PUTT– ask to mark  IN MATCH PLAY YOU CAN CONCEDE THE HOLE/MATCH BEFORE ITS CONCLUSION  IN STROKE PLAY EVERY PLAYER MUST HOLE OUT ON EVERY HOLE

ENJOY THE GAME!  BE PATIENT  PRACTICE OFTEN  READ AND LEARN  KEEP THE GAME IN PERSPECTIVE  HAVE FUN