Understanding the rules and etiquette of golf is essential for an enjoyable and respectful experience on the course. This document provides an overview of key rules and common etiquette guidelines.

Essential Rules of Golf

The Teeing Area

• You must tee off within two club-lengths behind the front edge of the tee markers.
• The ball must be played from the ground or a tee.
• If a player plays a shot outside the teeing area, the penalty is two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

Playing the Course

• Loose Impediments: You may move natural objects like stones, leaves, and twigs, provided your ball is not touching them, and they are not fixed or growing.
• Obstructions: These are artificial objects like maintenance equipment or cart paths. You are generally entitled to free relief from abnormal course conditions, including immovable obstructions and ground under repair.
• Water Hazards and Penalty Areas: If your ball is in a penalty area (red or yellow stakes/lines), you have options for relief, usually involving a one-stroke penalty.
• Unplayable Ball: If your ball is unplayable, you may take a one-stroke penalty and choose one of the following relief options:
1. Play a ball from where you last played your shot.
2. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lies, no closer to the hole.
3. Drop a ball behind the spot where the ball lies, keeping that spot between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped (distance is unlimited).

Golf Etiquette Guidelines

Respectful behavior on the course ensures a pleasant experience for all players.

Safety and Consideration

• Do not move or talk when a fellow player is addressing the ball or making a stroke.
• Stand clear of the player who is about to hit, and ensure you are not in a position to be hit by a stray ball or the club.
• Do not play until the group ahead is out of range.

Maintaining the Course

• Repair Pitch Marks: Always repair any pitch marks (ball marks) you make on the putting green.
• Rake Bunkers: Smooth the sand in bunkers after you have played from them, ensuring to cover all footprints and divots.
• Replace Divots: Replace any turf (divots) you take out of the fairway or rough, or fill the spot with sand/seed mixture provided by the course.

Pace of Play

• Be Ready to Play: When it is your turn, be ready to hit your shot without delay.
• Play a Provisional Ball: If your ball might be lost or out of bounds, announce and play a provisional ball immediately to save time.
• Keep Up with the Group Ahead: If you fall a full hole behind, you should encourage faster groups to play through.

Key Terminology