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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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Browse the Rules

Section I

Etiquette

Section II

Definitions

Section III

The Game

Rule 1

The Game

Rule 2

Match Play

Rule 3

Stroke Play

Clubs and the Ball

Rule 4

Clubs

Rule 5

The Ball

Player's Responsibilities

Rule 6

The Player

Rule 7

Practice

Rule 8

Advice; Indicating Line of Play

Rule 9

Information as to Strokes Taken

Order of Play

Rule 10

Order of Play

Teeing Ground

Rule 11

Teeing Ground

Playing the Ball

Rule 12

Searching for and Identifying Ball

Rule 13

Ball Played as It Lies

Rule 14

Striking the Ball

Rule 15

Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball

The Putting Green

Rule 16

The Putting Green

Rule 17

The Flagstick

Ball Moved, Deflected or Stopped

Rule 18

Ball at Rest Moved

Rule 19

Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped

Relief Situations and Procedure

Rule 20

Lifting, Dropping and Placing; Playing from Wrong Place

Rule 21

Cleaning Ball

Rule 22

Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play

Rule 23

Loose Impediments

Rule 24

Obstructions

Rule 25

Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball and Wrong Putting Green

Rule 26

Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards)

Rule 27

Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball

Rule 28

Ball Unplayable

Other Forms of Play

Rule 29

Threesomes and Foursomes

Rule 30

Three-Ball, Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play

Rule 31

Four-Ball Stroke Play

Rule 32

Bogey, Par and Stableford Competitions

Administration

Rule 33

The Committee

Rule 34

Disputes and Decisions

Appendices

Appendix I

Local Rules; Conditions of the Competition

Appendix II

Design of Clubs

Appendix III

The Ball

Rules of Amateur Status

Policy on Gambling

Miscellaneous Decisions

Decisions Applicable Only In The USGA's Rules Jurisdiction

Rule 8. Advice; Indicating Line of Play
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section.

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 GreenWhen 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

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