What are the basic rules of golf?

Answer 1

go to www.playgolfamerica.com you may have better luck at www.juniorlinks.com they break it down simple. The www.usga.com is the offical rules but hard to understand. I suggest reading the decision of the rules because it gives you actual cases.

play the ball as it lies

one stroke penalty if goes in water
out of bounds rehit from last spot at a stroke same as lost ball

pull the flag stick out before you put

ball must go into hole

Answer 2

Thats not an easy question to answer as the rulebook in golf is very extensive. Basically, once you hit the first shot on a hole, you do not touch the ball other than to hit it again. The total number of strokes it takes to get the ball into the hole is your score for that hole. Lowest score at the end of a round or rounds wins. Penalties, which there are too many to discuss, also cost strokes, usually one or two strokes but can also include disqualification.

Answer 3

Hello Jimmy

Basic rules are to treat every one with respect , dont interfere with anothers swing, play the ball where it lies , furthest away plays first and lowest score is best. Always repair your divots and ball marks and at least one more so you can leave the course in better shape then befor you started.

I would suggest reading up on some of the USGA rules at the USGA web site,,,,,,

http://www.USGA.org

There are tons of rules but follow the above and you will enjoy your game.

Leon

Answer 4

there's a small e book of the "rules of golfing" placed out by the USGA which could be required analyzing for all golfers. Ask your golfing coach to physique of innovations the pro shop. they might have greater copies to your team.

Answer 5

Here are some of the very basic rules.
There are 33 rules in golf. I've listed a few.

(A link to the complete rules will follow.)

Rule 1 -- The Game

* The holes on the course must be played in order (l through 9, 10 through 18 or 1 through 18).
You must always play by the Rules. You are not allowed to change them.

Rule 3 -- Stroke Play

* In stroke play, the competitor with the lowest total score for the round (9 or 18 holes) is the winner.
* You must play the ball into the hole before starting the next hole.
* Anyone you are playing with is a fellow-competitor.

Rules 4 & 5 -- Clubs and the Ball

* You may carry no more than fourteen clubs.
* Normally, you may not change balls during the play of a hole. However, if you damage or cut your ball, you may change the ball after first asking your opponent or fellow competitor.

Rule 6 -- Things a Player Should Do

* Read the notices given to you by the tournament officials.
* Always use your proper handicap.
* Know your tee-time or starting time.
* Make sure you play your own ball (put a mark on the ball in case someone else is using an identical ball.
* In stroke play, make sure your score for each hole is correct before you turn in your card.
* Keep playing unless there is lightning, you are ill or an official tells you to stop.

Rule 10 -- When to Play a Shot

* The player who has the lowest score on a hole has the right to play his/her ball first on the next hole. This is called the "honor."
* While playing a hole, the player whose ball is farthest from the hole plays first.
* In match play, if you play out of turn, your opponent may make you replay your shot. This is not so in stroke play.

Rule 12 -- Finding Ball in Hazard -- Identifying Ball

* A hazard is any bunker (area of sand) or water hazard (lake, pond, creek, etc).
* In a bunker or water hazard, if sand or leaves cover your ball, you may remove enough of the sand or leaves to be able to see a part of the ball.
* You may lift your ball to identify it anywhere except in a hazard. You must tell your opponent or fellow competitor before you lift your ball to identify it.

Rule 13 -- Playing the Ball as it Lies on the Course

* You must play the ball as it lies. You may not move it to a better spot.
* You may not improve your lie by pressing down behind the ball. The club may be grounded only lightly behind the ball.
* You may not improve the area of your intended swing or line of play by bending or breaking anything growing, such as tree limbs or weeds.
* In a hazard, you may not touch the sand, ground or water with the club before or during your back swing.
* In a hazard, you may not remove loose impediments (natural things such as leaves or twigs) but you may remove obstructions (artificial objects such as bottles or rakes.)

Rule 14 -- Striking the Ball

* You must strike the ball fairly with the head of the club. You may not push, scrape or rake the ball.
* You must not hit your ball while it is moving.

Rule 16 -- The Putting Green

* If any part of your ball is touching the green, it is on the green.
* When your ball is on the green, you may brush away leaves and other loose impediments within your line of putt with your hand or a club. Do not fan them with a cap or towel.
* You should repair ball marks or old hole plugs if they are within your line of putt, but you may not repair marks made by spikes or shoes.
* You may not test the surface of the green by rolling a ball or scraping the surface.
* Always mark your ball by putting a small coin or other marker behind it when you want to pick it up to clean or get it out of another player's way.


Rule 17 -- The Flagstick

* If your ball is off the green, there is no penalty if you play and your ball strikes the flagstick, provided no one is holding the flagstick.
* If your ball is on the green, do not putt with the flagstick in the hole. Either take the flagstick out or ask another player to hold it and take it out when you play your ball. In match play, if you putt and your ball hits the flagstick when it is in the hole, you lose the hole. In stroke play, you must add two penalty strokes to your score for the hole.

Rule 18 -- Moving the Ball

* If you or your partner move either of your balls on purpose or accidentally, add a penalty stroke to your score, replace and play it.
* If someone or something moves your ball other than you or your partner, (an outside agency) there is no penalty, but you must replace it. If the ball is moved by wind or water, you must play it as it lies.
* Once you address the ball, if the ball moves, add a penalty stroke and replace the ball.
* If you move a loose impediment lying within one club-length of the ball and the ball moves, add a penalty stroke, replace it and play it. On the putting green, there is no penalty.

Rule 19 -- Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped

* If your ball hits an outside agency, (bird, rake, etc.), it is called a "rub of the green." There is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies.
* "Rub of the green." Play the ball as it lies. No penalty.
* Hits you, partner, caddie or equipment, you lose the hole. In stroke play, incur a two-stroke penalty.
* Hits your opponent, caddie or equipment, you may replay the shot.
* Hit fellow competitor, caddie or equipment, no penalty.
* If your ball hits you, your partner, your caddie, or your equipment in match play you lose the hole. In stroke play, you are penalized two strokes and you must play your ball as it lies.
* If your ball hits your opponent, his caddie, or his equipment, there is no penalty; you may play the ball as it lies or replay the shot.
* If your ball hits a fellow competitor, caddie or equipment in stroke play, there is no penalty and the ball is played as it lies. These are the same as outside agencies in stroke play.
* If your ball hits another ball and moves it, you must play your ball as it lies. The owner of the other ball must replace it. If your ball is on the green when you play and the ball, which your ball hits, is also on the green, you are penalized two strokes in stroke play. Otherwise, there is no penalty.

Rule 27 -- Ball Lost or Out of Bounds

* A ball is lost if it is not found within five minutes after you first begin to search.
* A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies beyond the inside line of objects such as white stakes, or a fence or wall that marks the playing area.
* If your ball is lost or out of bounds, you must add a penalty stroke to your score and play another ball from where you played your last shot.
* If you think your ball may be lost or out of bounds, you may play another ball (provisional ball) from the place where your first ball was played. You must tell your opponent or fellow-competitor that you are playing a provisional ball and play it before you look for the first ball. If you cannot find your first ball or if it is out of bounds, you must count the strokes with the first and provisional balls, add a penalty stroke and play out the hole with the provisional ball. If you find your first ball in bounds, continue play with it and pick up the provisional ball.