More about the Rules of Golf
GENERAL POINTS
Before commencing your round of golf:
TEEING OFF
Be sure to tee off between and not in front of the designated tee-markers. You may tee off up to two club-lengths behind the front line of the tee-markers. If you do outside this area - in match play there is no penalty but your opponent may ask you to replay your stroke; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty and must then play from within the proper area.
You must play the ball as it lies. Don't improve the lie of the ball, the area
of your
intended swing or your line of play by moving, bending or breaking anything
fixed or
growing except in fairly taking your stance or making your swing. Don't
press anything
down or build a stance. If your ball lies in a bunker or a water
hazard don't touch the ground in the bunker, or the ground or water in the water
hazard, before your downswing. The ball must be fairly struck, not pushed or
spooned. Playing a wrong ball
(except in a hazard) - in match play you lose
the hole; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty and you must then play
the correct ball.
ON THE PUTTING GREEN
You may repair ball marks and old hole plugs on the line of your putt but not
any other damage, including spike marks. You may mark, lift and clean your ball
on the putting green. Always replace it on the exact spot. Don't test the putting
surface by scraping it or rolling a ball over it. Ball played from putting green
strikes flag stick - in match play you lose the hole; in stroke play you incur
a two-stroke penalty.
BALL AT REST MOVED
If your ball is at rest and it is moved by you, your partner or your caddie,
except as permitted by the Rules, or if it moves after you have addressed it,
add a penalty stroke and replace your ball. If your ball is at rest and is moved
by someone else or another ball, replace it without penalty to you.
BALL IN MOTION DEFLECTED OR STOPPED
Ball struck by you is deflected or stopped by you, your partner or your caddie
- in match play you lose the hole; in stroke play you incur a two-stroke penalty
and the ball is played as it lies. Ball struck by you is deflected or stopped
by someone else - play your ball as it lies without penalty, except (a) in match
play, if an opponent or his caddie deflects the ball you have an option to replay
the stroke or (b) in stroke play, if the ball is deflected after a stroke from
on the putting green, you must replay it.
Ball struck by you is deflected or stopped by another ball at rest- in match
play, no penalty and the ball is played as it lies except. In stroke play you
incur a two-stroke penalty if your ball and the other ball were on the putting
green before you played.
LIFTING, DROPPING AND PLACING THE BALL
If a lifted ball is to be replaced, its position must be marked. If a ball
is to be dropped or placed in any other position (e.g. taking relief from GUR,
etc.) it is recommended that the ball's original position be marked. When dropping,
stand erect, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm's length and drop it.
If a dropped ball strikes you or your partner, caddie or equipment it must be
re-dropped without penalty.
BALL INTERFERING WITH OR ASSISTING PLAY
You may lift your ball if it might assist any other player. You may have any
ball lifted if it might interfere with your play or assist any other player.