While you don't need to know every golf rule in the book, there are certain ones that you should be aware of before you step onto the first tee, particularly if you are playing in a tournament or for a few dollars with friends. It can be frustrating for you and your playing partners if you can't keep track of scoring or if you hit your ball in a hazard and don't know what to do next. Learning the essential rules of golf before you hit the green ensures that you can concentrate on improving your handicap instead.
Game Format
The two most common formats of competition are strokeplay and matchplay. In strokeplay, each shot counts, you must finish every hole and produce an 18 hole score in which lower is better. Your average score determines your handicap. If you usually shoot between 16 and 20 over par, your handicap will average at 18. Most amateur competitions are handicap based to ensure that each player has a chance, regardless of skill level. Matchplay is competition between two players or two teams in which the lowest score on each hole wins that hole. Match results can be shown as figures such as 4&3 indicating that one player or team was four holes ahead with only three holes left, and hence the game was won.
Equipment
You are allowed to carry a maximum of 14 clubs in your golf bag, and the types of clubs you use are up to you. A traditional set includes a driver, two fairway woods, eight irons, two wedges and a putter. Certain technologies are banned because they are thought to make the game too easy. This includes drivers with faces that create too much ball speed and certain types of irons and wedges with illegal grooves. It is also prohibited to continue using a club that you have damaged or altered during the round.
Water Hazards
Golf would be pretty easy if it were just empty fields with flags but, unfortunately, there are hazards to trip you up. If you hit into a water hazard you have the option to play the ball as it lies if possible, or to replay the shot with a one-stroke penalty. You can also find the point where your ball entered the hazard and play from anywhere back in line with the flag and point of entry. If you play into a lateral water hazard, you have the extra option of taking a two club-length drop, no nearer the hole from the point of entry.
Other Hazards
Should you hit a ball out of bounds, you must hit another ball from the same place but add one penalty stroke to your score. If you find your ball in bounds but find that it is in an unplayable lie, you have three options: Taking a one-stroke penalty and dropping the ball within two club-lengths, no nearer the hole; Dropping back in line with the flag, or alternatively going back to the spot where you played your last shot. There is no penalty for hitting into bunker but when playing out, you are not allowed to ground your club at setup, an error that carries a two-stroke penalty.
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