Golf is a challenging game that is rich in history and tradition. It differs from most other sports in that the goal is to get the lowest score possible. Golf has many rules pertaining to every aspect of the game. The rules are designed to guide you and make the game fair for everyone. Many golf rules are used mostly for professionals and in tournament play and are not strictly enforced when golf enthusiasts play casually with friends.
Clubs and Balls
If you are playing in a golf tournament, you may not carry more than 14 clubs in your bag, and you cannot use the clubs of another player during a round. These rules are usually not even considered in a casual round of golf. The ball you use must be identifiable to you with a marking of some sort. Many players simply write their initials in permanent marker. Your ball may be picked up for identification purposes, except when in a hazard, but it must be placed exactly where it was when you lifted it up.
Playing From the Tee
Before a round gets under way, use a coin toss or other method to determine the order of play. After each player tees off, the player farthest from the green shoots his second shot first, then the next farthest and so on. You are not allowed to touch your ball, or move it to a better location or you will suffer a one-stroke penalty. The player who wins the hole by shooting the lowest score is the first to tee off on the next hole. If there is a tie, the shooting sequence remains the same as the previous hole.
Playing on the Green
On the green, the "farthest away" rule also applies. The player farthest from the hole putts first, while the others must mark their golf balls. Marking a ball consists of placing a coin or other flat marker under the ball and lifting it from the green. It must be placed in the exact spot when you put it back. If your marker is in the line of another golfer's putt and he wants you to move it, you must move it one club head length left or right. If you forget to move it back before you place your ball back on the green, you incur a two-stroke penalty.
Out of Bounds and Hazards
Each golf course has its own rules as to which areas are out of bounds. If you shoot your ball out of bounds, it is a one-stroke penalty. Hitting your ball into a water hazard is also a one-stroke penalty. If you lose your ball in long grass or in the trees, you have five minutes to find it before incurring a penalty stroke. Hitting your ball into an unplayable lie, such as between two immovable rocks, is one penalty stroke.
Scoring
Each shot you take counts as one stroke. At the end of each hole, you add your actual strokes and any penalty strokes you incurred, and enter them on your scorecard. At the end of the round, consisting of 18 holes, add all of your shots together and you have your final score.
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