Spring Time is a great time for a Golf Rule Refresher. Golf can be frustrating when you recall a rule one way and your playing partners recall it another way. This simple list covers 95% of the rules (2014). Read them and keep a copy in your golf bag. (Reference: April 2014 www.golf-improvement-websites.com, and a lot more interesting golf info. ) Here are the basic rules and options:
1. Out of Bounds (white stakes)
• Replay from where last ball was hit – one stroke penalty
2. Lost ball [To Save time you can state that you are hitting a provisional ball (for use only if the original ball is lost).]
• Replay from where last ball was hit – one stroke penalty
3. Unplayable lie
• Replay from where last ball was hit – one stroke penalty
• Drop the ball within two club lengths of where the ball lies, no closer to the hole – one stroke penalty
• Drop the ball as far back as desired on a line through where the ball lies and the flag – one stroke penalty
4. In water hazard (yellow stakes)
• Play the ball as it lies – no penalty
• Replay from where last ball was hit – one stroke penalty
• Drop the ball as far back as desired on a line through where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and the flag – one stroke penalty
5. In lateral water hazard (red stakes)
• Play the ball as it lies – no penalty
• Replay from where last ball was hit – one stroke penalty
• Drop the ball as far back as desired on a line through where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and the flag – one stroke penalty
• Drop the ball within two club lengths of where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard (either side – no closer to the hole) – one stroke penalty
6. Hitting wrong ball that is not in a hazard
• Stroke play – two stroke penalty or disqualification for failure to correct mistake before making a stroke on the next teeing ground
• Match play – loss of hole
7. Grounding club in hazard (sand or water)
• Stroke play – two stroke penalty or disqualification for failure to correct mistake before making a stroke on the next teeing ground
• Match play – loss of hole
8. Giving or asking advice [Even saying, “Take your time.” is advice which can disturb your opponent.]
• Stroke play – two stroke penalty or disqualification for failure to correct mistake before making a stroke on the next teeing ground
• Match play – loss of hole
9. Agreeing to waive a rule
• Disqualification
10. Immovable obstruction interferes with swing or stance [including a cart path or road]
• Play the ball as it lies – no penalty [All “no penalty” rules are 1 club length.]
• Drop within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole – no penalty
11. Ball in ground under repair or on cart path
• Play the ball as it lies – no penalty
• Drop within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole – no penalty
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