1. The Rules of Golf

2. The Three Basics 1. Play the Ball as it lies.
2. Play the Course as you find it.
3. When you cannot do #1 or #2,
use the Rules of Golf.

3. Golf (like life) is not “Fair.”
At least, if you think that means you always get a break.
“Free Relief” does NOT always make it better.
“Fair” really means that all golfers are treated alike in like circumstances, according to the Rules.
You get the same ruling as Tiger.

4. YOU are the Rules Official
Every player is responsible to all other players in the field, and to the Game of Golf.
Ask any high caliber golfer,
“On whom have you called the most penalties?”
Answer is always: “ME”
Do the right thing. And don’t expect to be congratulated. It’s the MINIMUM expected.
Bobby Jones:
“You might as well compliment a person for NOT robbing a bank.”

5. Make it YOUR Ball (Rules 6-5 & 12-1)

6. Teeing Ground (Rule 11) Tee off within two (2) club-lengths
behind the front edges of the tee-markers.
Your feet can be OUTSIDE the Teeing Ground.
NOTE: Concentrating on Stroke Play only -
Use the next two slides as an example of the differing application of the rules between stroke and match play.

7. Teeing Ground (Rule 11-4b)
If the ball is outside, in stroke play you incur a two (2)- stroke penalty and must then play from within the proper area.
“If the competitor plays a stroke from the next teeing ground without first correcting his mistake or, in the case of the last hole of the round, his intention to correct his mistake, he shall be disqualified.”
Player must correct the error before tee shot
on next hole, or be disqualified.

8. What do you do, when you see this?
TELL the player (even if your opponent) BEFORE the stroke, so there is no penalty.
If you’re that player, say “Thank You.”

9. “Information” on the Rules or public information
Advice (Rule 8)
Don’t ask for advice from anyone except your partner in match play or your caddie. Don’t give advice to anyone except your partner (Rule 8-1).
General Penalty = 2
“Information” on the Rules or public information
is not “advice.”
Remember: Teammates are not partners!!!!!!

10. Advice / Information ADVICE INFORMATION
“What club did you use?”
“How far is my ball from the hole?”
“You’ve got 90 yards from there.”
INFORMATION
“Where’s the flagstick on this hole?”
“How far is that tree from the hole?”
“What does the scorecard say the hole yardage is?”

11. Loose Impediments
Loose impediments are natural objects (such as stones and leaves) not fixed or growing, not solidly embedded and not adhering to the ball (Rule 23).

12. Loose Impediments
You may move them UNLESS the loose impediment and your ball lie in or touch the same hazard (Rule 23-1).

13. Winter Rules- “Preferred Lies”
Only if specifically in the
Local Rules/ Conditions of Competition.
NOT everywhere. Usually limited to:
“closely mown area” (fairway & green collar).
Within one (1) club length, not nearer hole.
Cleaning permitted.
BEFORE you touch Ball: “M-A-L”
Mark (with coin, etc.)
Announce your intention to your marker.
Lift (only AFTER the first two)

14. Loose Impediments
If you move a loose impediment within one club-length of your ball and your ball moves, the ball must be replaced and (unless your ball was on the putting green) you incur ONE penalty stroke (Rule 18-2c).

15. Abnormal Ground Conditions
If your ball is in casual water, ground under repair or, a hole, cast or runway made by a burrowing animal, you may drop without penalty within one club- length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. No Relief if your ball lies in a water hazard.
Define Casual Water
Interference same as obstructions
What is “casual water”? Look around your shoe.

16. Obstructions
Objects defining out of bounds such as fence posts or stakes and immovable artificial objects out of bounds are NOT obstructions (Rule 24).
Therefore: No Relief!!!!
May Use Unplayable Ball
Rule 28 – 1 stroke penalty

17. Obstructions Two (2) Kinds Movable Immovable
Obstructions are artificial (i.e., man- made) objects.
Two (2) Kinds
Movable
Movable and immovable
Trash can
Water cooler
Bench
Ball washer
Immovable

18. Moveable Obstructions
Movable obstructions anywhere may be moved. If your ball moves, replace it without penalty (Rule 24-1).
Mark Your Ball BEFORE you Move the Obstruction.

19. Obstructions
If an immovable obstruction interferes with your lie, stance or swing, you may, except when your ball is in a water hazard, drop within one club- length of the nearest POINT of relief not nearer the hole.

20. 24-2. Immovable Obstruction
b. RELIEF
(i) Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies shall be determined which:
(a) is not nearer the hole,
(b) avoids interference (as defined) and
(c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.
Which is the “nearest POINT?”
Use the Club Likely to be Used on the Shot

21. 24-2. Immovable Obstruction
b. RELIEF
(i) Through the Green:
The player shall lift the ball and drop it within one (1) club-length of the point thus determined on a part of the course which fulfills (a), (b) and (c) above.
Relief must be complete.
Payne Stewart cart path video
Relief must be complete
“Measuring Club” may be DIFFERENT than the Club used for “Nearest Point”

22. Is it “Moveable”? Yes, if you can move it.
Obstructions
In a bunker drop in the bunker, and on the putting green place in the nearest position which affords relief, not nearer the hole.
Is it “Moveable”? Yes, if you can move it.

23. Obstructions Only for INTERFERENCE
There is NO relief for intervention on your line of play.
NO “line of sight” relief.
Only for INTERFERENCE
Two videos on one mouse click
1 - Intervention
2 - Interference

24. If you can swing without hitting it, there is NO Relief You Just Do the Best You Can

25. Relief from “Interference” But No “Line of Sight” Relief

26. Lateral Hazards (Red) – 5 Options
Water Hazards
Two (2) DIFFERENT Types
Water Hazards (Yellow) –
3 Options- Must PLAY over hazard, not DROP over it.
Lateral Hazards (Red) –
5 Options

27. Water Hazard (YELLOW) (3 options) - Review
1. Play the ball as it lies. No Penalty, or
Under penalty of one stroke:
2. Play a ball under the stroke and distance procedure.
3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the “POINT” which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped. 1
“THE POINT”
I.D. what makes a yellow water hazard
Point last crossed practicable
2 Ernie Els videos on two mouse clicks
talk about Ernies options after 1st video clip
NOT Trace BACK on “Line of Flight” 3 2

28. “Line of Flight” Never trace BACKWARD on the “line of flight”
Trace FORWARD on the “line of flight,” but ONLY to determine a “POINT”
NEVER drop the ball on the

29. Relief Options with a Water (Yellow) Hazard
The Putt 2
3 Options
1)Play as it lies (from hazard)
2)Stroke & Distance
(Putt again)
3)Drop on Line thru POINT
The POINT 1 3

30. Lateral Water Hazard 5 options - Same 3 plus 2
1. Play the ball as it lies.
Under penalty of one (1) stroke:
2. Play a ball under the stroke and distance procedure.
3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the POINT between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.
4. Drop 2 club-lengths from the point of entry into the hazard.
5. Drop 2 club-lengths from point on the opposite margin, equidistant from the hole. 5 1
POINT 4 3
NOT trace Back on “Line of Flight”
What makes a lateral water hazard
Point last crossed margin not practicable
John Huston putting into Lateral video 2

31. Whiff Is a whiff considered a one stroke penalty stroke?
Answer – Yes because you tried to strike the ball, it was considered in play.

32. Wrong Ball IF YOU PLAY THE WRONG BALL (2 STROKES OR LOSS OF HOLE)
PLAY OUT HOLE WITH CORRECT BALL
REPLACE BALL NEAREST LOCATION WHERE BALL WAS CONTACTED

33. Lost Ball 5 MINUTES TIME LIMIT
DROP (PROVISIONAL BALL)FROM SPOT LAST PLAYED (1 STROKE)
MAY BE RETEED IF LOST FROM THE TEE SHOT (HITTING 3)

34. SAND BUNKERS CANNOT GROUND CLUB (2 STROKES)
IF BALL IS COMPLETELY BURIED OR COVERED
YOU CAN REMOVE ENOUGH OF THE IMPEDIMENT TO SEE THE BALL

35. CASUAL WATER, GROUND UNDER REPAIR, OR....
OTHER THAN A HAZARD OR THE GREEN
ONE CLUB LENGTH RELIEF
NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE
NO PENALTY
IN A HAZARD
PLAY IT AS IT LIES;
LIFT WITHOUT PENALTY AND DROP IN THE HAZARD NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE
LIFT AND DROP OUTSIDE THE HAZARD; PENALTY 1 STROKE

36. ON THE GREEN
IF YOU HIT THE FLAGSTICK WHILE PUTTING (2 STROKES OR LOSS OF HOLE)
HITTING THE FLAGSTICK WHEN IT LIES ON THE GREEN (2 STROKES, PLAY IT WHERE IT LIES; LOSS OF HOLE)
HITTING AN ATTENDED STICK OR THE ATTENDEE (SAME AS PREVIOUS)

37. ON THE GREEN (CONT.)
TOUCHING THE GROUND ON YOUR LINE OF PUTT (2 STROKES OR HOLE) EXCEPT:
TO REPAIR BALL MARK
CLEAN BALL
REMOVE LOOSE IMPEDIMENT, ETC....
IF YOUR BALL LANDS ON THE WRONG GREEN (1 CLUB LENGTH RELIEF, NO PENALTY)

38. ON THE GREEN (CONT.)
IF YOUR OPPONENTS BALL IS IN THE LINE OF YOUR PUTT
ASK THAT IT BE MARKED & LIFTED
MARKER MAY BE PLACED 1 OR MORE PUTTERHEAD-LENGTHS TO THE SIDE
THE PLAYER IN THE LINE CAN PUT FIRST

39. ON THE GREEN (CONT.) HITTING ANOTHER PLAYERS BALL REPLACE IT
2 STROKE PENALTY
EVERY PLAYER MUST HOLE OUT ON EVERY HOLE

40. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

41. Taking a stance and grounding the club(except in a hazard)
Addressing the Ball
Taking a stance and grounding the club(except in a hazard)

42. Ball furthest from the hole
Away
Ball furthest from the hole

43. Turf displaced by player’s club when making a swing
Divot
Turf displaced by player’s club when making a swing

44. Dog-leg
A hole in which the route of play angles to the right or left before reaching the putting surface

45. Closely mowed route of play between teeing area and putting green
Fairway
Closely mowed route of play between teeing area and putting green

46. A warning cry to any person in the way of play
Fore
A warning cry to any person in the way of play

47. Green
The putting surface

48. A term used to designate bunkers(sand traps or water areas
Hazard
A term used to designate bunkers(sand traps or water areas

49. Hook
A stroke made by a right-handed player which curves the ball to the left of the target

50. General Rules

51. Rules
If the ball falls off the tee before you take a forward swing you may replace it without penalty

52. If you swing and miss after addressing the ball it counts one stroke
Rules
If you swing and miss after addressing the ball it counts one stroke

53. Rules
If you top the ball and knocked it off the tee- it counts as a stroke and must play it where it lies

54. Rules
You may not improve your lie by moving,breaking, or bending growing vegetation

55. Rules
There is no penalty if a players ball moves an opponent ball. The ball moved must be replaced. When both balls lie on the putting green the player whose ball strikes the other players ball must take a two stroke penalty

56. Rules
If your ball is found after you have played another, you must continue to play the second ball

57. Rules
If your ball lies up against a tree or in some other equally bad spot, you yourself must decide weather you can play it from there or not. If you decide it’s playable, you must play it as it lies, But if you decide it isn’t

58. Cont:
You may go back to the spot from which you hit it and play a ball adding one penalty stroke to your score for that hole and counting all strokes played or…..

59. Cont:
Under a one-stroke penalty you may drop a ball within two club-lengths of the point where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole

60. Rules
If you think your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, to save time you may play a provisional ball providing(1) you do so before going forward to look for your ball and

61. Cont:
(2) you tell your opponent what you intend to do before playing it.

62. Rules
If a ball touches an artificial obstruction such as a hose, you may move the hose. If you ball touches some immovable artificial obstruction, like a bench of drinking fountain you may

63. Cont:
You may drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief but no nearer the hole

64. Rules
If your certain that your ball is “lost” in ground under repair or in casual water or in a hole made by a burrowing animal you do not have to take a penalty stoke for a lost ball

65. Rules
If a ball is completely covered by sand, fallen leaves or the like in a water hazard or sand trap, you may remove as much of the material as necessary so you can see the top of the ball

66. Rules
If your ball lands in the sand trap you may not touch the hazard with your hand or club and clear away excess sand

67. Rules
If your ball lies against the pin and all of it does not lie below the level of the lip of the hole it cannot be counted as being in the cup
When you pull the pin out the ball drops in it is counted as “holed out”
If the ball falls away from the pin the ball is placed on the lip of the hole

68. Rules
If leaves or other loose impediments lie on the green you may remove them without penalty. If your ball moves after a loose impediment has been touched, it shall be replaced without penalty.

69. Rules
You must not touch the ground in your line of putt except that you may
Repair a ball mark or an old plug
Lift the ball for cleaning
Remove a loose impediment

70. Rules
If you land on the wrong green you must pick your ball up and drop it within one club length at the nearest point of relief but not nearer the hole

71. Rules
If your ball knocks your opponent’s ball into the cup he is considered to have holed out on his previous stroke.

72. Rules
In stroke play when both ball lie on the putting green if your ball strikes a fellow- competitor's ball you must take a penalty of two strokes and the other player’s ball must be returned to its original position

73. On the putting green you may lift and clean your ball without penalty
Rules
On the putting green you may lift and clean your ball without penalty

74. Scoring Albatross: (or double-eagle) is three strokes under par.
Eagle: Is two strokes under par.
Birdie: Is one stroke under par.
Par: Is strokes equal to par.
Bogey: one stroke more than par.
Double bogey: two strokes over par.
Triple bogey: three strokes over par.

75. Ettiquette

76. The Spirit of the Game
Unlike many sports, golf is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee or umpire. The game relies on the integrity of the individual to show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All players should conduct themselves in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and sportsmanship at all times, irrespective of how competitive they may be. This is the spirit of the game of golf.

77. Safety
Players should always alert players nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, he should immediately shout a warning. The traditional word of warning in such a situation is "fore.“

78. Safety
Players should ensure that no one is standing close by or in a position to be hit by the club, the ball or any stones, pebbles, twigs or the like when they make a stroke or practice swing.
Players should not play until the players in front are out of range.

79. Consideration for Other Players
On the Putting Green On the putting green, players should not stand on another player's line of putt or when he is making a stroke, cast a shadow over his line of putt.
Players should remain on or close to the putting green until all other players in the group have holed out.

80. Consideration for Other Players
Scoring In stroke play, a player who is acting as a marker should, if necessary, on the way to the next tee, check the score with the player concerned and record it.

81. Consideration for Other Players
No Disturbance or Distraction Players should always show consideration for other players on the course and should not disturb their play by moving, talking or making any unnecessary noise. On the teeing ground, a player should not tee his ball until it is his turn to play. Players should not stand close to or directly behind the ball, or directly behind the hole, when a player is about to play.

82. Pace of Play
Play at Good Pace and Keep Up
Players should play at a good pace. The Committee may establish pace of play guidelines that all players should follow.
It is a group's responsibility to keep up with the group in front. If it loses a clear hole and it is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group.

83. Pace of Play
Be Ready to Play
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. When playing on or near the putting green, they should leave their bags or carts in such a position as will enable quick movement off the green and towards the next tee. When the play of a hole has been completed, players should immediately leave the putting green.

84. Pace of Play
Lost Ball If a player believes his ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, to save time, he should play a provisional ball. Players searching for a ball should signal the players in the group behind them to play through as soon as it becomes apparent that the ball will not easily be found. They should not search for five minutes before doing so. Having allowed the group behind to play through, they should not continue play until that group has passed and is out of range.

85. Priority on the Course
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, priority on the course is determined by a group's pace of play. Any group playing a whole round is entitled to pass a group playing a shorter round.

86. Care of the Course
Bunkers Before leaving a bunker, players should carefully fill up and smooth over all holes and footprints made by them and any nearby made by others. If a rake is within reasonable proximity of the bunker, the rake should be used for this purpose.

87. Repair of Divots, Ball-Marks and Damage by Shoes
Players should carefully repair any divot holes made by them and any damage to the putting green made by the impact of a ball (whether or not made by the player himself).
On completion of the hole by all players in the group, damage to the putting green caused by golf shoes should be repaired.

88. Preventing Unnecessary Damage
Players should avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.
Players should ensure that no damage is done to the putting green when putting down bags or the flagstick.
In order to avoid damaging the hole, players should not stand too close to the hole and should take care during the handling of the flagstick and the removal of a ball from the hole. The head of a club should not be used to remove a ball from the hole.

89. Cont.
Players should not lean on their clubs when on the putting green, particularly when removing the ball from the hole.
The flagstick should be properly replaced in the hole before players leave the putting green.
Local notices regulating the movement of golf carts should be strictly observed.

90. The Most Important Thing

91. The Rules of Golf