We have built the list below of commonly pondered golf rules to help you avoid ruling pitfalls that can cost you strokes on the course.  It is everyone’s job to know the rules of golf so you can “protect the field” when you play in competitions.  This has been updated to reflect the USGA and R & A Rules Changes for 2019.

For a wonderful primer to answer all your golf rules conundrums you might want to own a copy of the USGA’s Golf Rules Illustrated …..it is a clear and concise golf rules resource.

****Just In….here is a summary chart of the Changes to the Rules for 2019****

****Here is the updated list of definitions that apply to the Rules for 2019****

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Click on the any of the italicized rule issues below to see the rule explanation.

Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball, and Wrong Putting Green

Abnormal Ground Conditions

Embedded Ball Relief

Playing Off The Wrong Green

Advice Indicating Line Of Play

Getting Information From Your Opponent

Touching The Line Of The Putt

Ball Assisting or Interfering With Play

Balls Close Together In Bunker

Ball Interfering With Play

Ball At Rest Moved

Ball At Rest Is Moved

Ball In Motion Deflected or Stopped

Ball In Motion Deflected or Stopped

Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball

OB, Lost Balls, and Provisional Balls

Ball Played As It Lies

Grounding Your Club In A Hazard

Improving The Area Of Intended Swing

Improving Your Lie

Raking The Bunker Before Playing

Removing A White Boundary Stake

Things You May Do In A Hazard

Ball Unplayable

Ball Unplayable

Cleaning Ball

Mud or Dirt On Ball

Flagstick

Attending The Flag On A Putt

Lifting, Dropping, and Placing; Playing From Wrong Place

Dropping and Re-Dropping

Marking and Lifting Your Ball On The Green

Marking An Opponents Ball

Loose Impediments

Removing Loose Impediments On The Green

Match Play

Stroke Play vs. Match Play

Obstructions

Ball Against Moveable Obstruction

Moveable Obstructions

Nearest Point of Relief

Taking Complete Relief

Temporary Immovable Obstructions

Order Of Play

Order Of Play

Player

Signing and Attesting A Scorecard

Practice

Practice Shots During A Round

Putting Green

Fixing Ball Marks On The Green

When You May Not Fix A Ball Mark On The Green

Repairing Imperfections In The Green

Two Balls In Motion On The Putting Green

Searching For And Identifying Ball

Identifying Buried Ball In The Bunker

Striking The Ball

Anchoring The Putter

Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball

Hitting The Wrong Ball

Teeing Ground

The Teeing Ground

Water Hazards

Relief From Lateral Water Hazards

Relief From Water Hazards

Miscellaneous:

Bad Practices On The Golf Course

Drop Within One Or Two Club Lengths

Improving Pace Of Play

Practice Area Etiquette

Proper Divot Patterns On The Practice Grounds

Raking The Bunkers

Tee It Forward

Two Basic Principles Of Golf

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Thanks to Allen Zweig, John Friedson, Moe Dweck, & Arthur Blitz for their diligent work in developing this rules initiative.  We appreciate the assistance of Steve Keller and Mary Hashagen in staging the photo sessions.