Golf rules for beginners

1.1 The game of golf

1.2 Exerting influence on the ball

1.3 Agreement to waive the Rules

1.4 Points not covered by the Rules

1.5 Match play

1.6 Halved hole

1.7 Winner of a match

1.8 Conceding the hole, the match or the next stroke

1.9 Doubt or dispute as to procedure; claims

1.10 General penalty

1.11 Stroke play; winner

1.12 Failure to hole out

1.13 Doubt as to procedure

1.12 Failure to hole out

1.13 Doubt as to procedure

1.14 Refusal to comply with a Rule

1.15 General penalty in stroke play

1.16 Threesomes and foursomes

1.17 Three-ball match play

1.18 Best-ball and four-ball match play

1.19 Four-ball stroke play

1.20 Representation of a side

1.21 Recording scores

1.22 Order of play in team formats

1.23 Wrong ball in team formats

1.24 Penalties and disqualification in team formats

2.1 Clubs and ball; form and make of clubs

2.2 Playing characteristics changed and foreign material

2.3 Damaged clubs: repair and replacement

2.4 Maximum of 14 clubs

2.5 The ball

2.6 Foreign material

2.7 Ball unfit for play

2.8 The player; the Rules

2.9 Handicap

2.10 Starting times and groups

2.11 Caddie

2.12 The player's ball

2.13 Score in stroke play

2.14 Undue delay; slow play

2.15 Stopping and resuming play

2.16 Practice before or between rounds

2.17 Practice during a round

3.1 Order of play in match play

3.2 Order of play in stroke play

3.3 Teeing the ball in the teeing area

3.4 Tee markers

3.5 Ball falling off the tee

3.6 Playing from outside the teeing area

3.7 Playing from the wrong teeing area

4.1 Searching for and seeing the ball

4.2 Identifying the ball

4.3 Play the ball as it lies

4.4 Improving the lie, area of intended stance or line of play

4.5 Building a stance

4.6 Ball in a hazard: prohibited actions

4.7 Fairly striking the ball

4.8 Assistance when making a stroke

4.9 Artificial devices and non-conforming equipment

4.10 Striking the ball more than once

4.11 Playing a moving ball

4.12 Ball moving in water

4.13 Abnormal ground conditions

4.14 Embedded ball

4.15 Wrong putting green

4.16 Unplayable ball

4.17 Relief for a ball in a water hazard (penalty area)

4.18 Ball played within a water hazard

4.19 Ball at rest moved (by the player, opponent, outside agency, equipment or other balls)

4.20 Ball in motion deflected or stopped (by the player, opponent, outside agency or other balls)

4.21 Substituted ball

4.22 Wrong ball

4.23 Lifting and marking

4.24 Dropping and re-dropping

4.25 Placing and replacing

4.26 Ball back in play

4.27 Replaying a stroke from where the previous stroke was made

4.28 Ball incorrectly substituted or dropped

4.29 Playing from a wrong place

5.1 Cleaning the ball

5.2 Ball assisting play

5.3 Ball interfering with play

5.4 Loose impediments

5.5 Movable obstruction

5.6 Immovable obstruction

5.7 Ball in an obstruction not found

6.1 The putting green

6.2 Ball overhanging the hole

6.3 Flagstick attended, removed or held up

6.4 Flagstick attended without authority

6.5 Ball striking the flagstick or the person attending it

6.6 Ball resting against the flagstick

7.1 Stroke and distance for a ball out of bounds or lost

7.2 Provisional ball

7.3 Penalties and disqualification in team formats

7.4 Disqualification penalties in general

7.5 Effect of other penalties

8.1 Conditions of competition

8.2 Terms of the competition and waiving the Rules

8.3 The course

8.4 Starting times and groups

8.5 Handicap stroke allocation

8.6 Scorecard

8.7 Deciding ties

8.8 Disqualification at the Committee's discretion

8.9 Local Rules

8.10 Claims and penalties

8.11 Referee's decision

8.12 Committee's decision

Every hole starts with the tee shot. The ball is placed on a tee and played from within the marked teeing area.

Make sure the ball is within the markers, i.e. between the two tee markers and no more than two club-lengths behind them.

The order of play is also important: whoever completed the previous hole in the fewest strokes has the honour and tees off first.

For beginners, the principle of "ready golf" is particularly helpful: whoever is ready plays. This speeds up the pace of play and helps you stay focused.

One of the most important rules of golf is: play the ball as it lies. This means you may not improve the spot where your ball lies, neither by pressing down grass nor by removing small branches or other objects that are firmly fixed in the ground.

The only exception: if your ball is on the putting green, you may mark it, lift it, clean it and replace it on exactly the same spot.

If the ball is moved when it was not allowed to be lifted, you may incur a penalty stroke. Accidentally moving the ball can also be penalised, depending on the situation.

What used to be called water hazards are now officially known as penalty areas. These areas are marked with red or yellow markings and are among the trickier zones on the golf course.

What should you do if your ball ends up in a penalty area?

• Play the ball as it lies, if possible.
• Drop a new ball, with a one-stroke penalty: either to the side (for red penalty areas) or back on the line between the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area and the hole (for yellow penalty areas).
• Go back to where you played your previous stroke and play again, also with a one-stroke penalty.

The correct way to drop the ball is from knee height. Note: if you drop the ball incorrectly, you must drop it again, otherwise you risk a further penalty.

The green is the most sensitive area of every golf hole. Not only the Rules of Golf apply here but also clear rules of conduct, known as etiquette:

• Don't step on other players' line of putt.
• Use a ball marker when you need to lift your ball.
• Repair damage on the green, for example with a pitch mark repairer.
• Only play when nobody is standing or walking in your line.

Putting is a part of the game that requires particular concentration. Respect your fellow players' concentration and move quietly and considerately.

A central aspect of golf is counting your strokes. Every attempt to hit the golf ball counts, even if the ball doesn't move. Even an air shot counts as a stroke if it was a deliberate movement.

Typical situations involving penalty strokes:

• Ball out of bounds or lost: 1 penalty stroke, back to where you last played from.
• Ball in a penalty area: 1 penalty stroke, with the options described above.
• Ball accidentally moved: depends on where it happens, often 1 penalty stroke.

Recording the correct score is crucial, especially if you want to obtain a handicap later on. Use scorecards or apps to keep an accurate record of your strokes.

Golf is usually played in groups, known as flights. To make the game enjoyable for everyone, prompt and considerate behaviour is important.

Tips for playing fairly together:

• Be at your ball in good time and ready to play.
• Watch the flight of your ball to avoid long searches.
• If you are unsure where your ball has ended up, play a provisional ball.
• Keep up with the group in front: avoid long breaks between holes.

When in doubt: ask your fellow players if you are unsure. Experienced golfers are happy to give tips.

Tip: practise playing out of the bunker in particular. A high loft (e.g. a sand wedge) helps you get the ball out of the sand more easily.

Some situations require particular attention, especially as a beginner.

The bunker

• No touching the sand before your stroke.
• Rake the bunker after playing.
• No testing the sand with your club or hands.

Fairway

• The ball usually lies well, but you still may not alter the ground.
• No relief if the ball lies badly (for example in a hollow or on uneven grass).

Dropping zones

Some golf courses mark specific zones where a ball may be dropped, usually after it has entered a penalty area or when a ball is unplayable.

Important: the ball must be dropped within two club-lengths and without improving the spot.