Golf's World

Are you new to this sport? You want to know all about Golf rules? You are in the right time and place! In this article we will briefly review the golf rules and all essentials connected with it. The rules of golf are internationally regulated and are jointly governed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A), which was founded 1754 and the United States Golf Association (USGA). By agreement with the R&A, USGA jurisdiction on the enforcement and interpretation of the rules is limited to the United States and Mexico. The national golf associations of other countries use the rules laid down by the R&A and there is a formal procedure for referring any points of doubt to the R&A. The Decisions on the Rules of Golf are based on formal case decisions by the R&A and USGA and are revised and updated every other year.

The fundamental principle of the rules is fairness. Point out for yourself that there are three noteworthy principles to remember when playing golf, as stated on the back cover of the official rule book:

1) Play the course as you find it. Play the Ball as it lies.
2) And if you cannot do either, do what's fair."
3) To do what's fair you need to know the Rules. The following is a summary of the Rules of Golf, simplified where possible.

Some rules state that:

- every player is entitled and obliged to play the ball from the position where it has come to rest after a stroke, unless a rule allows or demands otherwise (Rule 13-1);
- a player must not accept assistance in making a stroke (Rule 14-2);
- the condition of the ground or other parts of the course may not be altered to gain an advantage, except in some cases defined in the rules;
- a ball may only be replaced by another during play of a hole if it is destroyed (Rule 5-3), lost (Rule 27-1), or unplayable (Rule 28), or at some other time permitted by the Rules. The player may always substitute balls between the play of two holes

Furthermore, there are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers. Basically, everybody who has ever received payment or compensation for giving instruction or played golf for money is not considered an amateur and may not participate in competitions limited solely to amateurs. However, amateur golfers may receive expenses which comply with strict guidelines and they may accept non-cash prizes within the limits established by the Rules of Amateur Status.

Besides the officially printed rules, golfers also abide by a set of guidelines called Golf etiquette. Etiquette guidelines cover matters such as safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play, and a player's obligation to contribute to the care of the course. Though there are no penalties for breach of etiquette rules, players generally follow the rules of golf etiquette in an effort to improve everyone's playing experience.

In conclusion I would add that a good score may be ruined, or a match lost, because of a penalty incurred through unawareness or confusion concerning the game rules. Grasping & understanding the above mentioned should help the golfer in tackling all rules problems. Nevertheless, the complete Rules of Golf as accepted by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association, should be consulted where any doubt occurs.