Rules that you need to follow while playing GOLF

There’s more to golf than just swinging and journeying across the golf course. It allows us to be competitive while enhancing one’s ability. It gives pleasure to every player, especially when winning a game. Moreover, such sport is therapeutic and definitely a good stress reliever.

Golf is a game in which a ball is struck with a club from a prepared area, known as the "teeing ground", across the fairway and rough to a second prepared area, which has a hole in it, known as the "putting green". The object of the game is to complete what is known as a hole by playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole on the putting green in the fewest possible number of strokes. A "round of golf' consists of playing 18 such holes.

Like every game, golf too has its rules to follow, so everybody will be fair in playing. It does not matter if you miss some shots, what matters is how you made a fair game. Being fair and honest makes you a real golfer. Wanna be a real golfer? Take a look at the following Rules of Golf!

ETIQUETTE



Etiquette covers both Courtesy and Priority on the Course as well as Care of the Course. Whilst the following points are not Rules as such they are an important part of the game.

1. Don't move, talk or stand close to a player making a stroke.


2. Don't play until the group in front is out of the way. 


3. Always play without delay. Leave the putting green as soon as all players in your group have holed out.


4. Invite faster groups to play through.


5. Replace divots. Smooth footprints in bunkers.


6. Don't step on the line of another player's putt. 


7. Don't drop clubs on the putting green. 


8. Replace the flagstick carefully. 

Taking Care of the Course

It is advisable to use golf or tennis shoes when you play. Avoid spiky shoes that would ruin the green. Do not intentionally slide or drag your feet along the grass.

The bunker may be messy and sand may not look good. To return it to its neat appearance, rake the bunker after you have played from it.

There may be times when you accidentally hit the green and cause minor damage. Repair divots and depressions immediately before they get worse.

Place your golf bag in an appropriate place, never place it on the green. It would distract others who are also playing.

Playing It Right

As we have said, playing the game honestly and fairly is more important than having more shots but not following rules. Hence, in order to achieve a successful game, one must follow the rules.

Rule 1:

The famous action in playing golf is stroking the ball from the teeing ground into the hole.  The objective of the game is to shoot the ball to the hole.  There are lots of rules in this game.  It is recommended that one should undergo a tutorial if he/she is planning to engage in this sport.

Rule 2:

Known as the Match Play, this game is played where each hole is a contest. If you win the first hole, then you get a score. If you lose it, your opponent gets it. You will race for more shots until the last hole. In this game, you and your opponent are the only players.

Rule 3:

In this particular game, the competitor with a lowest total score for the agreed number of rounds is the winner.  You have to get the ball into the hole before starting on the next hole.

Rule 4:

The maximum number of clubs you can carry on the golf course is 14.  You cannot carry more than the maximum number. The balls are not usually changed during the game except for damages.

Rule 5:

Every player should be responsible.  Before the game, he/she should read all the notices sent to him by the tournament officials.  A player should also always be sure to double check his tee time.  To make sure that you are playing with your own ball, be sure to write a mark on it so it will not be exchanged with other balls.  Additionally, you have to check your score before recording it.

Rule 6:

During a play, you are not allowed to talk to anyone except your caddie or partner.  You can ask for advice from him/her.

Rule 7:

The player who has the lowest score has the right to play first on the next hole. When playing a hole, the player whose ball is the farthest from the hole plays first.

Rule 8:

You should inform your opponent of the number of strokes you have taken.

Rule 9:

Tee your ball between the tee markers or a little behind them. There are times when your ball may accidentally fall off the tee before you have taken a stroke. You can replace it without penalty.

Rule 10:

Whenever your ball falls into a hazard area, you may lift your ball to identify it anywhere.  Of course, you cannot lift any hazard or change the position of the ball.  Others may think you are taking advantage of the situation and trying to get a chance to play better.

Rule 11:

You are only allowed to strike a ball with the head of the club.  Do not push, scrape, or rake the ball.

Rule 12:

There is no penalty if you play and the ball strikes the flagstick in times when your ball is off the green.  The non-penalty rules only apply when no one is holding the flagstick.

Rule 13:

You should always be careful when moving your ball. If you, or your partner, or even your caddies, move either of your balls accidentally, or for a purpose, you should replace and play it.

Consequently, if your ball is moved by someone or something other than you, there is no penalty but you have to replace it.

Rule 14:

The ball should not be touched. If you are going to lift your ball because the rule says that you have to replace it, you must put a marker on the ball before you lift it. In dropping the ball, you must stand straight, hold your arm straight at your shoulder height and drop it. If you have dropped the ball, and the ball rolls into a hazard, you must re-drop the ball.

Rule 15:

You have to be very careful with obstructions. Obstructions are man-made objects such as bottles, tin cans, or rakes etc. Such types of obstructions are movable while the others such as buildings, trees, or towers are the immovable ones.
Movable obstructions may be removed. If the ball moves, it is to be replaced without penalty.
You may also drop your ball away from an immovable obstruction if it interferes with your swing. In this case, you may find the nearest point, not nearer the hole, that you can play from.

Rule 16:

Whenever you are allowed to lift the ball, you can always clean it; however, when you are in a green, you may not clean the ball as you lift it for identification purposes. It may interfere with another player.

Rule 17:

There may be times when another ball interferes with your play or maybe in your putting line.  You may ask the player who owns it to lift their ball.  You are not allowed to do the lifting yourself.  In the same way, when your ball goes to another player’s line, you lift the ball for him/her.

Rule 18:

When you are caught with casual water, or any temporary puddle caused by rain, you may either play the ball as it lies or finds the nearest place, not nearer the hole.  Drop the ball from shoulder height and make a swing, aiming towards the hole.

Rule 19:

Your ball will be declared as LOST if it is not found after five minutes.  You may play from the place where your first ball was played.  You have to inform your opponent that you are playing with a provisional ball.

Conclusion:

The above-mentioned rules are the basic ones. Such rules are helpful to every player. Always remember that even if you did not have the winning score, as long as you played the game fairly, you are a winner.