Golf · Guide
Golf rules explained
Hit the ball from the tee into the hole in as few strokes as you can, and play it as it lies. Most of the rest is about what to do when you cannot.
The basics
- Tee off between the tee markers, no more than two club-lengths behind them.
- Play the ball as it lies. Do not move it, improve its lie or press down the ground behind it.
- Farthest from the hole plays first in match play. In stroke play, playing when ready ("ready golf") is encouraged.
- Fourteen clubs at most in your bag.
- Every swing that is meant to hit the ball counts, including an air shot.
When things go wrong
| Situation | What you do | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Out of bounds (white stakes) | Play again from where you last played. Many clubs allow a local-rule drop near where it went out instead. | 1 (or 2 under the local rule) |
| Lost ball (not found in 3 minutes) | As out of bounds. | 1 |
| Penalty area, yellow stakes | Replay from the last spot, or drop behind the area in line with the hole and where it crossed. | 1 |
| Penalty area, red stakes | The yellow options, or drop within two club-lengths of where it crossed the edge. | 1 |
| Unplayable lie | Replay, drop back on the line from the hole, or within two club-lengths. | 1 |
| Hitting the wrong ball | Go back and play your own ball. | 2 in stroke play |
Play a provisional if you think your ball might be lost or out of bounds. Say "provisional" and hit another from the same spot; it saves the long walk back.
Free relief
You can move your ball without penalty from things that are not part of the challenge of the course: cart paths and other immovable obstructions, ground under repair, temporary water, and animal holes. Drop within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole. Drop from knee height.
On the green
- Mark and lift your ball, clean it, and replace it.
- You can repair pitch marks and spike marks.
- You can leave the flag in and putt; no penalty if the ball hits it.
- No penalty if you accidentally move your ball or marker on the green; just put it back.
Scoring
Stroke play counts every shot. Match play is hole by hole against an opponent. Most club competitions use Stableford. The names for scores on a hole are in birdie, eagle and albatross explained.
Quick answers
- What is the penalty for out of bounds in golf?
- Stroke and distance: one penalty stroke, and you play again from where you hit the last shot. Many clubs also allow a local rule: drop near where the ball went out, for two penalty strokes.
- How long can you look for a lost ball?
- Three minutes. After that the ball is lost, and the penalty is stroke and distance, as for out of bounds.
- How many clubs can you carry?
- Fourteen at most.
- Can you leave the flag in when putting?
- Yes. Since 2019 there is no penalty for hitting the flagstick with a putt.
- What height do you drop from in golf?
- Knee height, letting the ball fall straight down without spin.