Equipment, strategy, rules and technique all play into our enjoyment and appreciation for the game of golf. Perhaps the best place to begin, however, is with basic rules and scoring. These are not difficult to grasp and will provide the foundation for what you need to know to begin a relationship with the game.
Source of the Rules
Golf rules are composed by the two most prominent governing bodies in the game: The United States Golf Association and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in Scotland. Although each of these organizations releases its own set of rules, the most fundamental, frequently applied rules are common to both governing bodies. Rules are revised every two years for both the USGA and R&A, but the changes are typically minimal--once you understand the basic rules, you can count on them to remain the same.
What You Need to Know First
Before beginning a round of golf, check that the number of golf clubs in your bag does not exceed 14 (including the putter). You can carry fewer than 14 clubs, but not more.
Each hole begins with a tee shot. This is the only time you are allowed to place your ball on a tee.
Remember that every time you swing the club with the intention to hit the ball you must count the attempt as a stroke. The total number of strokes for each hole should be entered on your scorecard and tallied up at the end of a round for your final score.
Important Rules
Golfers in a group are expected to play shots in a specific order. The player whose ball is farthest from the hole has the right to hit his shot first.
One of the best known rules in golf states that golfers must play their ball as it lies. This means that if a ball lands in deep rough, behind a tree or in a divot, players are not permitted to improve the lie or their line to hole. Except in a few circumstances, players must play their ball exactly as they find it.
Once players reach the green with their balls, they can mark the position of the ball on the green with a coin or similarly flat item and take the ball in hand. They are allowed to clean it and align it anyway they wish, but it must be replaced to the exact spot and the mark removed before the next shot is hit.
Penalties
Penalties are assessed to a player's score when a violation of the rules occurs. The USGA rulebook can provide a complete list of penalties that apply to various rule violations. Penalties are also assessed when a ball is lost, hit out of bounds or into a water hazard. Each of these costs a player one penalty stroke. Players who find their ball in bounds, but have no viable swing can take an "unplayable lie" and drop their ball in a clear spot within two club lengths of their original lie. This also results in a one stroke penalty for the player.
Stroke Play
Stroke play is a type of scoring in golf that compares the total number of strokes per round for each player to determine a winner.
Score can also be kept in relation to par in this format. Each hole on a golf course has a predetermined par score attached to it--that is, the number of strokes it should take to complete the hole. Completing the hole in one stroke less than par is known as a birdie. Two strokes less than par for a hole is an eagle and three strokes less than par is considered a double eagle. Scores over par are referred to as bogeys--including double bogey for two strokes over par, triple bogey for three strokes over par and so on.
Upon the conclusion of a round, the score can be reflected as the total number of strokes over or under par.
Match Play
When two golfers engage in match play, their number of strokes for a round are not relevant to the competition. Instead, score is kept by virtue of the number of holes won. If, for example, player one has made a better score than player two on five holes and player two has managed a better score on three holes, player one is considered to be two up. Every hole that is tied is considered to be "halved." The match is completed when one player reaches a lead that is one greater than the remaining number of holes.
References
- "2010-2011 The Rules of Golf"; United States Golf Association; 2010
- Golf Tips for Beginners: Golf Rules
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