Golfing Rules
It is very helpful to know which are the most frequent Basic Golf Rules violated in everyday playing of the game of golf, so as to avoid violating these rules, but understanding the penalties if you do.
We will only refer to Golfing Rules pertaining to Stroke Play in this article, as it is the most predominant form of play.
Please refer to the Official Rules of Golf for detailed information regarding any of these situations encountered if there is any question concerning U.S.G.A. Rules.
Following are violations of some of the more common Golfing Rules with their associated golf penalties:
Golfing Rules prohibit carrying more than fourteen golf clubs in your golf bag at any one time during a stipulated round of golf.
Rule 4-4: Maximum of 14 Clubs
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 2 Strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: Four Strokes]
Wrong Score Recorded on Your Golf Score Card
Golfing Rules stipulate that keeping an accurate score card is essential. Violation of this stipulation is severe as noted below. Make sure your score for each hole is correct and sign your card before returning it. It is important to adhere to Golf Rules!
Rule 6-6: Scoring in Stroke Play
[Penalty - Stroke Play: Disqualification]
Improving the Lie of the Ball
According to the U.S.G.A. Rules of Golf, players must play the golf course as they find it. This means not attempting to improve the lie of the ball, the line of play, or the intended area of play. Intentionally improving the lie of the ball is not permitted.
Rule 13-1: General
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 2 Strokes]
Grounding the Golf Club in a Hazard
Bunker and Water Hazards can subject golf players to a penalty if they are not careful. Within the Rules of Golf, placing the golf club head down in a bunker, unless it is in the act of striking the ball, is not permitted.
Rule 13-4: Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
Grounding the club in a hazard is not allowed.
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 2 Strokes]
Hitting an Unattended Flag Stick with a Putt
Your ball must not strike the flagstick when it is attended, removed or held up according to Basic Golfing Rules.
Rule 17-3: Ball Striking Flag Stick or Attendant
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 2 Strokes and the ball must be played as it lies.]
Proper Dropping of the Ball
A ball to be dropped under the Basic Golfing Rules must be dropped by you only. When a ball is to be dropped as near as possible to a specific spot, it must be dropped not nearer the Hole than the specific spot which, if it is not precisely known to you, must be estimated.
To drop a ball, stand erect and hold the ball at shoulder height and at arm's length, then drop it. If the ball when dropped touches any person or the equipment of any players before or after it strikes a part of the course and before it comes to rest, the ball must be re-dropped.
As you can see, the Rules for Golf are very detailed and specific.
Rule 20-2: Dropping and Re-Dropping
a. By Whom and How
b. Where to Drop
c. When to Re-Drop
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 1 Stroke if not dropped properly]
Ball Moves after Loose Impediment is Removed
23-1: According to Golfing Rules, except when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or touch the same hazard, any loose impediment may be removed without penalty.
If the ball lies anywhere other than on the putting green and the removal of a loose impediment by you causes the ball to move, you will incur a one stroke penalty.
Rule 23-1: Relief
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 2 Strokes]
Ball Lost or Out of Bounds
According to Golfing Rules, your ball is considered lost if it is not found within five minutes after the search for it has begun, or you have elected to put another ball in play.
Your ball is considered out of bounds if all of it lies beyond the inside line of objects such as walls, fences and white stakes that mark the boundary of the golf course. If your ball is lost or out of bounds, add one penalty stroke and play another ball from where you played your last ball.
Rule 27-1: Ball Out of Bounds
[Penalty - Stroke Play: 1 Stroke]
We hope this article on the Basic Rules of Golf and the more common violations has been helpful to you as well as informative!
Thanks again for Visiting Us!
Jim
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