Rules & Etiquette, what are they?
In the game of golf rules and etiquette are extremely important. This is what the game is largely built upon and makes golf a unique and special game.
Rules
There are 25 rules of golf with various sub sections within each rule and if you have ever looked at a rules of golf book and tried to navigate your way around it, you will know how complicated this can be and that it is impossible to know all the rules of golf. Having played this game for over 30 years and professionally for 16 years, I estimate I only know 15% of the rules of golf. So don’t panic if you don’t know them all.
The most important thing about golf and what makes it a unique and special sport, is it’s a game of honesty and if you play the game honestly you and everyone else playing the game can play with more fun.
So why are rules important?
The definition of the game of golf is the player must play the course as they find it and play the ball from where it lies. However, this isn’t always possible, and the rules of golf are there to assist and penalize golfers if they need to alter conditions or allow the player to play the ball from a different position.
Some day-to-day examples of this could be your golf ball on a path, your golf ball is in a bush, up against a tree, against a staked tree or the ball has been hit out of bounds just to name a few. These are just a few examples of scenarios that can happen on a day-to-day basis and knowing the correct ruling process is important. Some of the examples above may allow a golfer to take a free drop and others might be penalty shots (meaning when you drop the ball the drop is counted as a stroke taken and must be added to your score for the hole).
How do I learn about the rules?
The best place to start is to visit the R&A website (Royal & Ancient), where you can find all the rules of golf and start to look at some of them. It might be a round you have just played and a scenario happened with a ruling you weren’t sure, researching on the R&A website is a great way to start learning. Quite often learning happens when a ruling you’ve not encountered before happens and you research the answer.
Visiting your local PGA Professional when you’ve finished your round for most day-to-day rulings is a good idea. At quite a lot of golf clubs nowadays there is also a recognized rules official and contacting them for assistance is also advised.
This is great, but I’m out on the golf course and I don’t know what to do?
Exactly, the examples I have given above are great when playing a friendly round or you’re wanting to learn, but what do you do if you’re out on the golf course in a competition and you don’t know the ruling.
- Firstly, ask your playing partners, one of them might know the ruling and can talk you through the process and whether the relief is free or with penalty.
- Having a rule book in your golf bag can be beneficial, although a rules of golf book isn’t always easy to navigate around having this available to you might provide you with the information needed. Even better now you can download the R&A app on your phone and put the ruling you need help with, in the search engine. This has been a good addition.
- Finally, if you still can’t be sure of the ruling in a competition play two balls on that hole, playout both situations, discuss with your playing partners and record both scores, then after your round seek advice from the professional, match secretary or rules official if available.
Local Rules
This is a modification of a rule or additional rule for general play. Whenever playing a different golf course it is always a good idea to check the local rules before play. This can be available on a golf clubs website, on the back of a scorecard or on club notice boards.
Rules of Golf
They are extremely important; they keep the game fair and when played by the rules, with integrity, this is the spirit of the game.
Etiquette, what is it?
This is the conduct with which we play the game. It is not a rule and you can’t be penalized for not playing without etiquette, but acting within the spirit of the game is expected from all golfers.
What does this mean?
While etiquette covers many areas within the game, everyone enjoys happier golf when we all do our best to play within the conduct and integrity of the game.
Here are some examples of good etiquette from the R&A:
- Playing with honesty, by the rules, applying all penalties and even calling shots on yourself even if you’re playing partners may not have seen.
- Playing the game at a good pace, it’s important to understand when we are out on the golf course, we are not the only golfers out there playing. Keeping up with the group in front is extremely important, if this can’t be achieved then good etiquette is to call the group behind through if they are playing at a quicker pace than you.
- Not distracting your playing partners or other golfers on the course. This can be keeping quiet while they take their golf shot, staying out of their eyeline and not moving while they make a stroke.
- Playing the game safely and looking out for other golfers. This might mean waiting to play your shot until its safe to do so and if a stray golf shot is heading towards another golfer, you MUST immediately shout ‘FORE’ which is a traditional warning shout to let others know the ball is heading in their direction.
- Duty to take care of the golf course, i.e. repairing pitch marks on the greens, replacing divots, raking bunkers, and not causing unnecessary damage to the course.
Other key etiquettes when playing
- Saying ‘Good Shot’ to your playing partner. A small detail but when we do hit good shots out on the golf course it nice to get recognition from your playing partners.
- ‘Putting the flag back in’ If you are first to hole out in your group on the putting green. Its good etiquette for that player to get the flag to put back in once everyone has putted out.
- Bunkers – This was mentioned earlier, but a nice simple rule of thumb, leave the bunker how you would like to find it.
- Watching your playing partner’s golf shot to help if the player hasn’t seen where they’ve hit it.
- Helping your playing partner find their golf ball.
These are to name a few.
Rule & Etiquette conclusion
The rules and etiquette are very important, and the game is played better when we all do our best to play by them. It’s also important to remember that these are learnt over time and through experience, and helping new golfers to learn is part of our responsibility too.
