USGA RULES OF GOLF REVIEW

What follows below is a summary of some of the significant rules of golf. This list does not
cover all the rules of golf or provide a complete explanation of each rule. For more information,
the Player's Edition of the USGA Rules of Golf are available on-line at <Rules and Interpretations
- USGA >

Before the Round Begins
1. No practicing on the golf course. Driving range and practice green only. Penalty for
breach: 2 strokes.
2. Maximum of 14 Clubs in the bag. Breach: 2-stroke penalty for each hole the breach
occurred with a maximum of 4 penalty strokes.
3. Identify ball and any identifying markings on the ball.
4. Players should declare their scores to the scorekeeper at the completion of each hole.
5. If there is confusion or disagreement about the rules anywhere during the round, don't
hesitate to call the clubhouse to get a ruling from the pro shop. You may also play two balls,
one with the penalty, one without, and get a ruling at the end of the round.

On the Tee
1. Red tees. You must remain on that tee for the season.
2. Place ball between the markers and within two club lengths behind them. Breach: 2-stroke
penalty and correct the error by playing another ball from within the teeing area.
3. Playing partners cannot aid with alignment by standing behind the player during the
swing. Penalty: 2 strokes.
4. Ball struck during the practice swing. Replace. No penalty.
5. Ball out of bounds options:
> Local Rule: 2-stroke penalty and ball placed in the fairway drop zone properly.
(This rule can only be used when out of bounds from the tee.)
> Stroke and Distance: 1-stroke penalty
6. Lost Ball options:
> Local Rule: 2-stroke penalty. Determine where the ball was last seen. Place in the
fairway properly.
(This rule can only be used when the ball is lost from the tee.)
> Stroke and Distance: 1-stroke penalty.

On the Course
1. Play the ball as it lies. This is the most basic rule of golf. No bumping or improving the lie of
the ball except when the rules require or allow the ball to be moved. Penalty: 1 stroke.
2. Double hits: no penalty but ball must be played as it now lies.
3. Penalty Areas (formerly Hazards)
Red Stakes: 4 options
a) Hit from within the penalty area: no penalty
b) Stroke and distance: 1-stroke penalty
c) Two club lengths from point of entry, not nearer the hole:1-stroke penalty
d) Determine a line from point of entry in the penalty area to the flag, place the
ball anywhere along that line from behind point of entry: 1-stroke penalty
Yellow Stakes: 3 options
a) Hit from within the penalty area
b) Stroke and distance: 1-stroke penalty
c) Determine a line from point of entry in the penalty area to the flag, place the
ball anywhere along that line from behind point of entry: 1-stroke penalty

4. Unplayable Lie Options: 1-stroke penalty
a) Stroke and distance.
b) Two club lengths from where the ball lies, not closer to the hole.
c) Determine a line from where the ball lies to the flag. You may go as far back along
that line to determine a drop area.
5. Abnormal Course Conditions: Cart paths, French drains, ground under repair, casual
water, etc.
Determine nearest point of relief. The drop area is then within a club length of that point.
No penalty.
The abnormal course condition must be agreed upon by the entire group.
6. Immoveable Obstruction: Relief is granted if the obstruction impedes the swing under
normal circumstances. Again, determine nearest point of relief and the drop area is within a
club length of that point. No penalty.
You do not get relief if it obstructs the line-of-flight of the ball. Examples: The safety
fence on #10, electrical boxes along side fairways, etc.
7. Embedded ball: a ball is defined as embedded if it lies within its own pitch mark.
Relief: Determine a reference point immediately behind the embedded ball. The relief area is
then within a club length of that point. No penalty.

On the Green
1. Correctly marking the ball. The ball-marker should be place immediately behind the ball. In
replacing the ball it must be placed precisely in the position it was in originally. Penalty for
violation: 1 stroke.
2. Repairing damage to the green. Any damage on the green in the line of a putt may be
repaired, including spike marks.
3. The new rule allows the player to putt with the flag in or out of the hole
4. Ball moved by natural forces. If this occurs before the ball has been marked, play it now from
its new position. If it occurs after the ball has been marked, return the ball to its marked
position.
5. There are absolutely no "gimmies" in a competitive round of golf (unless the event is
match play). The hole is not completed until the ball has come to rest within the hole.
Penalty for violation: Disqualification.

After the Round
1. Each player should review the scorecard to verify the accuracy of their score. Once the card is turned in, the score is official.