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Some Basic Rules of Golf
Etiquette:
Be considerate of your fellow players. Don't talk, move, or in any
other way distract a player during his/her swing.
14-Club Limit:
The USGA allows a maximum of 14 clubs to be carried in a bag. Less
than 14 is OK.
Tee Markers:
When teeing off on a hole, the ball must be behind the Tee markers.
(Draw an imaginary line between the two markers and tee your ball
behind that line).
As It Lies:
Play the ball as it lies. This means you may not improve the way the
ball is at rest. If you are on the green, you may mark, and pick up
your ball to clean it, but while in the fairway, you must play the
ball as it lies. See the USGA rule book for special circumstances
like winter rules, obstructions, standing water, etc.
Away:
The ball farthest from the hole is the one that is played first. The
term is "away". Example: "Miles, you are away, so go ahead and play
first". The person with the lowest score for the hole has "the
honors", and plays first on the next hole.
Sand Traps:
If your ball lands in the Sand Trap, remember to rake it after you
have played your shot. The groups behind you will appreciate this.
Since this is a hazard, you cannot ground your club prior to the
swing. Practice swings are OK, as long as you do not contact the
sand.
Out of Bounds:
If you hit your ball OB, there is a one-stroke penalty, and you must
hit another ball. If you are not sure if the ball is OB, hit a
"Provisional Ball" just in case. If you determine the first ball is
OB, you continue on, and play with the Provisional Ball.
Water Hazards:
If you hit your ball into a Water Hazard, you may play it (could be
messy), or with a one-stroke penalty play another ball from where
you just hit. Option two is to drop another ball where the original
ball entered the Hazard, incur a one-stroke penalty and play on.
Putting Green:
When on the green, never walk across another players line of putt.
In tournament play, this will cost you a two stroke penalty. It is
OK if the player is not on the green yet, but as a courtesy, watch
your footing.
Have Fun:
Golf is a great game. So have fun at it and whenever possible -
Leave the golf course in shape than you found it. |
