| Golf is one of the most popular forms of | | | | give it. |
| recreation around. People love golf for the | | | | |
| outdoors, the competition, and the game | | | | 10. You are not allowed to put anything on |
| conversation. Whatever your reasons for | | | | the green that would mark direction or help |
| beginning the art and sport of golf, you'll | | | | you gauge where your ball is. |
| need to understand the basic rules of the | | | | |
| game. Below, you'll find the most important | | | | 11. The player who has the lowest score on a |
| general rules to employ while starting out on | | | | stroke play, is allowed to go first on the |
| the green. | | | | next hole. |
| | | | |
| 1. To play a standard game of golf, the holes | | | | 12. In match play, if you play out of turn |
| on the course must be played in order-from | | | | you may given the penalty of doing it over. |
| 1-9 or 1-18-and no exception will be made, | | | | |
| unless stated beforehand. | | | | 13. You must play your ball from where it is, |
| | | | and cannot move it. |
| 2. A Match Play round of golf means that each | | | | |
| hole is a separate game. If you get the first | | | | 14. If you need to pick up your ball to show |
| hole you are "one up", and conversely, if you | | | | location in a hazard, you may do so after |
| miss the first hole, you are "one down", and | | | | alerting your opponent of your intention to |
| so on. In this type of play, you win the game | | | | do so. |
| when you are more holes in then there are | | | | |
| left to play. | | | | 15. You may not scoop the ball with your club |
| | | | if it is in an awkward position; you must |
| 3. A Stroke Play round of golf means you must | | | | only graze the ground as if in normal play. |
| sink your ball into every hole before | | | | |
| continuing to the next hole. Whoever has the | | | | 16. You may not improve your swing by moving |
| least amount of strokes for the entire round, | | | | or breaking anything in your way, as in a |
| wins the game. | | | | hazard there may be weeds, brush, etc. |
| | | | |
| 4. The maximum amount of clubs that you can | | | | 17. You are not allowed at any time to touch |
| carry according to official tournament rules | | | | the water, sand, or ground before striking |
| is 14. You may not change the golf balls | | | | the ball in a hazard (or bunker) area. |
| whole in play unless you both agree that it | | | | |
| is badly damaged and should be switched out. | | | | 18. You must not play someone else's ball. |
| | | | The penalty is losing the right to play that |
| 5. Always obey rules given by tournament | | | | hole or in stroke play, you incur two strokes |
| officials and/or golf course administration. | | | | to your overall score. |
| | | | |
| 6. Know your starting time and be there on | | | | 19. 10 seconds of waiting time is allowed |
| time. | | | | when your ball is hanging on the edge of the |
| | | | hole. If it falls in after, add one penalty |
| 7. Know which ball is yours; most golfers | | | | stroke to your overall score. |
| will mark their own ball to be able to | | | | |
| differentiate. | | | | 20. If your ball moves due to wind or water, |
| | | | you must play it out as is. |
| 8. Do not delay play or impede your | | | | |
| opponents' play. | | | | 21. If a ball is lost or out of bounds, you |
| | | | replace with a new ball and play out from |
| 9. During a match, you are not allowed to ask | | | | your last play location. Add one penalty |
| anyone advice on how to play, nor allowed to | | | | stroke to your overall score. |