what separates Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo et al from less
successful golfers; they mastered the basics.
Of course you need to know the rules before you start on techniques, and
that's what this article is about.
Understanding The Basic Rules Of Golf
Copyright (c) 2006 Ewen Chia
There are many people who embark on playing golf but do not
really try to understand the rules or the golfing terms
used. It's good to at least understand the basic rules
before a game of golf.
Golf is played by striking a ball using a club on an area
called "teeing ground." Once the ball is hit, it typically
travels fairways across and onto a next prepared area. A
hole could be found in this area that is called a "putting
green."
The objective of the game of golf is that one should be
able to complete a hole by means of hitting a ball from a
teeing ground and place it inside the hole of the putting
green in as few strokes as possible. What is usually
referred to as a round of golf generally consists of 18
holes to be played in.
In golf, there are mainly two kinds of play to pick from.
The winner in one kind of play is determined by the holes
that are lost and won, this is referred to as a match play.
The other kind of play is determined by the number of
strokes one has taken to complete a round. This is called
a stroke play.
When playing golf, there are two relevant rules to
remember: as you find the course, go play it. As the ball
lies, it should also be played as such.
If you find it hard to follow the above rule, at least try
your very best to do what is reasonable. How do you know
what is fair? Below are the summarized rules to give you a
good idea of how to play a good game of golf.
The Intro: Basic golf courtesy
1. Avoid moving, chatting or standing too close to a golfer
who is about to make a stroke.
2. Play with a minimum amount of delay. As quickly as the
players in the group that you are in have left, it is just
as best that you do the same. Try your best not to play
until the group is already out of the way.
3. As much as possible, try to replace the divots. Also,
remember to smooth any footprints found in the bunkers.
4. It is greatly inadvisable to drop your clubs on the
putting green, so don't!
The Rules of Playing
1. Before playing that all important round of golf, the
first thing you should do is to read the local rules stated
on the score card you are holding.
2. After which do not forget to place an identifying mark
on the ball you are going to use. Some golfers use the
same type and brand of golf ball, if in case your ball is
placed among these bunch, you will have difficulty finding
which is which.
3. Make sure that you get to count your clubs before actual
play. You should have a maximum of fourteen clubs.
4. When beginning actual play, it is best that you tee off
in front of the tee markers. When you tee outside this
specified area and you are playing a match play, your
opponent may have to ask you to repeat the stroke you just
did. The good thing when one does this in a match play,
you get to incur no penalty. However, if in a stroke play,
you then are given a penalty of two-stroke. 5. If while
you are playing and your golf ball happens to lie in a
bunker or a water hazard, you should not in any way touch
the ground of the bunker or the water before you do your
down swing.
6. The ball must as much as possible be struck fairly and
should neither be spooned or pushed. 7. It is alright for
you to mark the ball that you are using. You could take
your ball, clean it and place it on the exact place where
it was.
8. When dropping a ball, it is best that you stand upright
and then hold the ball at the length of your shoulder, and
then you may drop it. If by dropping the ball it happens
to strike your partner, you or your caddie, the ball must
then be dropped again with no penalty.
9. It is also fine for you to lift your ball if by doing so
you are able to assist another player. Or you also may
lift any other ball as long as that ball interferes with
your playing or interferes another player.
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Golf clubs are not as elitist as they once were, so if you fancy playing
get down to your local club this week.
