This document outlines the fundamental rules of golf, providing a comprehensive guide for players of all levels. Understanding and adhering to these rules is crucial for fair play, maintaining the integrity of the game, and ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone on the course.

The Game

Golf is played by striking a ball with a club into a series of 9 or 18 holes on a course, aiming to complete each hole in the fewest possible strokes.

Basic Principles

• Play the Course as You Find It: Unless explicitly allowed by a rule, you must not alter the conditions affecting your stroke.
• Play the Ball as It Lies: You must play your ball from where it rests, unless the Rules permit or require you to move it.
• The Player with the Lowest Score Wins: The objective is to achieve the lowest total number of strokes for the entire round.

Key Rules and Concepts

Starting a Hole

A hole begins with a tee shot played from within the teeing area. The teeing area is a rectangular area two club-lengths deep, whose front and sides are defined by two tee-markers.

Playing the Ball

• Order of Play: On the first hole, the honor (who plays first) is typically determined by a draw or mutual agreement. On subsequent holes, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole plays first.
• Lost Ball or Out of Bounds: If a ball is lost or hit out of bounds, the player must take a stroke-and-distance penalty (one stroke and return to the spot of the previous stroke).
• Unplayable Ball: A player may declare their ball unplayable and take relief with a one-stroke penalty. There are three relief options:
• Stroke-and-distance relief (return to previous spot).
• Back-on-the-line relief (drop a ball on a line extending back from the hole through where the ball lies, as far back as desired).
• Lateral relief (drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lies, no closer to the hole).

Areas of the Course

The golf course is divided into five defined areas:

1. General Area: This is the entire course except for the other four specific areas.
2. Teeing Area: The starting point for each hole.
3. Penalty Areas: Areas where a ball is often lost or unplayable, such as water hazards or designated red/yellow staked areas.
4. Bunkers: Specially prepared areas of sand.
5. Putting Green: The area specially prepared for putting, surrounding the hole.

Penalties

Penalties are assessed for rule breaches and typically involve adding strokes to a player's score. Common penalties include:

• One-Stroke Penalty: For relief from an unplayable ball, lost ball/out of bounds, or taking relief from a penalty area.
• General Penalty (Two Strokes in Stroke Play, Loss of Hole in Match Play): For more serious breaches, such as playing from the wrong place or improving the area of play.

Equipment Rules

Players must use equipment that conforms to the Rules of Golf. This includes clubs, balls, and other accessories.

Etiquette

While not strictly rules, golf etiquette promotes good sportsmanship and consideration for other players and the course. Key aspects include:

• Pace of Play: Play at a reasonable pace to avoid slowing down other groups.
• Care for the Course: Replace divots, repair ball-marks on the green, and rake bunkers.
• Safety: Ensure no one is in a position to be hit by a ball or club.
• Respect for Others: Avoid distracting other players and maintain a respectful demeanor.