Golf is a popular sport that’s enjoyed across the world. Held on an 18-hole open course, players use a club to hit their golf ball from the ‘teeing ground’ to the prepared area with holes known as the ‘putting green’. The objective of the game is to manoeuvre the ball, through a series of hitting and putting, into the targeted hole with as few strokes as possible. There are two forms of play that determines the winner of a round. The first categorization, known as ‘match play’, is based on the ground of holes scored. The second, known as ‘stroke play’, is awarded to the total number of strokes involved in completing the round.
There are several rules that must be followed when playing Golf. In this blog post, we’ll go over the basic rules to prepare you for your next round.
When you start playing the game, begin by marking your ball to identify and differentiate it from the other players. This helps when the ball is lost during a game. You must also count your clubs as 14 is the maximum number you can carry. As proper etiquette, it’s not recommended that you provide or ask for advice from your partner or caddie during the round.
The teeing ground is the starting point to the course where the ball is initially struck with a club. It’s important to remember that when striking, you need to tee off between the markers and not in front of them. There is no penalty involved here, but you may have to play another strike if asked from your opponent.
Once you play the initial stroke, you have to play the ball from where it lands on the ground. There is no need to tamper with the placement of the ball. If it’s moved by you, your partner or your caddie, then a penalty stroke will be incurred and the ball will be replaced. There is no infraction if the ball is moved by someone else or by another ball. Players must also remember that it’s prohibited to spoon or push the ball, as this is an unfair hit. Playing an opponent’s ball in a match play will lead to a loss of a hole. In stroke play, you will get a two-stroke penalty and will be directed to play the correct ball.
When it comes to playing on the course, you’re allowed to fix ball marks, also known as hole plugs, on the line of your ground. However, you’re not permitted to cause other forms of damage like spike marks. You are permitted to lift up the ball, place the marker and clean it on the putting green. However, testing the putting surface by rolling a ball over it or scraping it, is not allowed. If the ball is played from putting green strikes without the presence of a flagstick, then you will get a penalty. In match play, this means you will lose a hole and in stroke play, you will get a two-stroke penalty.
If a ball is lifted for replacement, then the original position should be marked. When you drop a ball, you have to hold the ball at arm’s length and shoulder height. If the ball strikes you, your partner, your caddie or any equipment, there is no penalty but the player will be asked to redo this motion.
Objects on a golf course can sometimes interfere with a game. If the ball is played and hits an obstacle, the player should be granted a replacement without penalty. For courses that run through bodies of water, you should drop the ball within one club length of the nearest point.
If your play falls in a body of water or goes out of bounds, you will be given 5 minutes to retrieve it before it’s considered lost. In replacement, you will be provided with a provisional ball to continue, and must play under a penalty of one stroke. The provisional ball will be abandoned if the lost ball is found.
The above-listed rules should be followed to enjoy a perfect round of golf. Learn 2 Golf, distinguished provider of golf camps in Mississauga, ensure players learn and play following all the mentioned rules.