USGA
BOOKMARK US Bookmark

Rules and Decisions

Prestented by ROLEX

The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. Through an agreement with The R&A, the Rules jurisdiction of the USGA includes only the United States, its possessions and Mexico. The latest version went into effect Jan. 1, 2008, with the next revision taking effect Jan. 1, 2012.

 

Additional Rules Notifications

 

2012-2013 Rules of Golf PDF
     
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Browse the 2012-2015 Rules

Rule 8

Advice; Indicating Line of Play

 

Definitions

All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section – see pages 2235.

8-1. Advice

During a stipulated round, a player must not:

a. give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner, or

b. ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies.

8-2. Indicating Line of Play

a. Other Than on Putting Green

Except on the putting green, a player may have the line of play indicated to him by anyone, but no one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made. Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate the line must be removed before the stroke is made.

Exception:Flagstick attended or held up – see Rule 17-1.

b. On the Putting Green

When the player’s ball is on the putting green, the player, his partner or either of their caddies may, before but not during the stroke, point out a line for putting, but in so doing the putting green must not be touched. A mark must not be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.

Note: The Committee may, in the conditions of a team competition (Rule 33-1), permit each team to appoint one person who may give advice (including pointing out a line for putting) to members of that team. The Committee may establish conditions relating to the appointment and permitted conduct of that person, who must be identified to the Committee before giving advice.

Rules

8-1 Advice
8-2 Indicating Line of Play

Decisions

8/1 Conditions of Team Competition Stipulate Who Is Authorized to Give Advice
8/2 Team Captain Gives Advice While Playing
  
8-1/2 Exchanging Distance Information
8-1/3 Asking If Distance Marker Accurate
  
8-1/5 Seeking Information on Whereabouts of Another Player's Ball
8-1/6 Asking Opponent or Fellow-Competitor What Club He Used at Previous Hole
8-1/7 After Player Has Played to Green He Asks Opponent or Fellow-Competitor What Club He Used in Playing to Green
8-1/8 Comment About Club Selection After Stroke
8-1/9 Misleading Statement About Club Selection
8-1/10 Looking into Another Player's Bag to Determine Club Used
8-1/11 Removing Towel Covering Another Player's Clubs to Determine Club Used
8-1/12 Double Caddie Informs One Employer About Club Used by Another
8-1/13 Player Giving Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Instruction During Round
8-1/14 Competitor, After Finishing Hole, Demonstrates to Fellow-Competitor How to Play Shot
8-1/15 Caddie Swings Club to Show Player How to Play Shot
8-1/16 Suggesting to Competitor That He Deem His Ball Unplayable
8-1/17 Request for Advice Made in Error to Opponent's Caddie Withdrawn Before Advice Given
8-1/18 Player Who Has Not Yet Played Seeks Advice from Player Who Has Finished Round
8-1/19 Advice Between Rounds in 36-Hole Match
8-1/20 Asking Advice When Play Suspended
8-1/21 Advice Given by Team Mate in Another Group in Stroke Play
8-1/22 Team Mates Playing as Fellow-Competitors Exchange Advice
8-1/23 Player's Team Mate in Gallery Hits Ball to Green to Show Player Whether Green Will Hold
8-1/24 Advice Given by Team Coach or Captain
8-1/25 Advice Given on Request; Penalties in Various Forms of Play
8-1/26 Player Briefly Changes Caddies for Exchange of Advice
8-2a/1 Club Placed on Ground to Align Feet
8-2a/2 Object Placed Beside or Behind Ball to Indicate Line of Play
8-2a/3 Player Places Mark to Indicate Distance for Pitch Shot
8-2b/1 Caddie Casts Shadow to Indicate Line for Putting
8-2b/2 Caddie Attending Flagstick Advises Player to Aim at His Foot
8-2b/3 Caddie Touches Putting Green to Indicate Line of Play Before Player Chips from Off Green
8-2b/4 Whether Team Captain Who Is Authorized to Give Advice May Be Required to Keep Off Putting Greens