Golf

The Rules

Match and Stroke play

Put an mark on your ball so that you can identify it. No more than 14 clubs are allowed. During a hole you may practice swing but not may not take a practice stroke. Between holes you may practice chip and putt on or near the putting green of the last hole played or the tee of the next hole. Play without delay.

Order of Play

On the first tee the person who tees off first is determined by a draw. The ball that is furthest from the hole is played first. The winner of the hole tees off first for the next hole.

Teeing Ground

Tee off within two clubs-lengths behind the front edges of the tee-markers. If you tee off outside this area, in match play, there is no penalty but your opponent may wish you to replay the shot. In stroke play, you get a two stroke penalty and must then replay the stroke within the bounds.

Playing the Ball

Play the ball as it lies. Don't touch it unless a rule permits you to do so. Strike the ball with the clubhead. Don't push or scrape it.

If your club strikes the ball more than once in a single stroke then count the stroke and add a penalty stroke. If you play a wrong ball, in match play you lose the hole. In stroke play you receive a two stroke penalty and must then play the correct ball.

Putting Green

Don't test the surface by scraping it or rolling a ball.

Lifting, Dropping and Placing

If a ball to be lifted is to be replaced, its position must be marked. When dropping, stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm's length and drop it