Golf most common rules

Always read the local rules board before you start playing.

Hazards

Waters hazards are always clearly marked with yellow rope, painted lines, or, more often than not, stakes. Contrary to that are “lateral hazards,” which are denoted by red lines and painted stakes.

• You are not required to pick the ball up; you do have the option of playing the ball from where it lies.
• You can also return to your last shot and play it again; however, this will incur a 1 stroke penalty.
• You can also take a drop and go back as far you like as long as your stay in line where the ball crossed the hazard.
• A lateral hazard, you can simply drop the ball, ensuring it’s no more than two club-lengths.
• On occasion, you’ll find the hazards may be dry, in which case you can enter and play from there, especially if you have a good lie.

Out Of Bounds

• If you think your tee shot has sailed out-of-bounds, you can play another shot, called a “provisional ball,” just in case you can’t find your first tee shot. If you do find your first ball, you can simply pick up your provisional ball with no penalty.
• If you can’t find your first tee shot or it’s “unplayable,” you can play the provisional, but you’ll need to add a 1 stroke penalty.
• It’s considered good etiquette to let others in your group know that you’re playing the provisional ball; it’s always good to be transparent with your scoring.
• A lost ball is simply defined as a ball you cant find within the allotted 3 minutes.
• Regarding, Out-Of-Bounds, your ball must be entirely outside the designated O.O.B. area.

Unplayable

• If you find your ball trapped in a bush or under a tree, you can consider it “unplayable,” in which case you can take a drop and add a 1 shot penalty.
• You must drop the ball on the same line and cannot move it any closer to the hole; you can, however, go back as far as you like as long as you hold the line.
• You also can walk back to the tee and play your shot again.

Clubs

The maximum amount of clubs you can carry on the course is 14. You can carry less than 14 if you wish. There are no steadfast regulations on the makeup of the 14 clubs you take.

Balls

You must start and finish the hole with the same ball.  Alway mark your ball clearly.  The only exceptions are hitting the ball in a water hazard or losing it. However, you may change the ball after you’ve finished the hole only; you’ll see the pros doing this, especially if the ball is scuffed.

 

PLEASE NOTE GOLF GAME FORMATS TO FOLLOW SOON!