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