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Browse the 2012-2015 Rules
Rule 1. The Game
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section.
1-1. General
The Game of Golf consists of playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules.
1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball
A player or caddie must not take any action to influence the position or the movement of a ball except in accordance with the Rules.
(Removal of loose impediment — see Rule 23-1.)
(Removal of movable obstruction — see Rule 24-1.)

*Penalty for Breach of Rule 1-2: Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
*In the case of a serious breach of Rule 1-2, the Committee may impose a penalty of disqualification.

Note: A player is deemed to have committed a serious breach of Rule 1-2 if the Committee considers that his act of influencing the position or movement of the ball has allowed him or another player to gain a significant advantage or has placed another player, other than his partner, at a significant disadvantage.
1-3. Agreement to Waive Rules
Players must not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty incurred.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 1-3: Match play — Disqualification of both sides; Stroke play — Disqualification of competitors concerned.
(Agreeing to play out of turn in stroke play — see Rule 10-2c.)
1-4. Points Not Covered by Rules
If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision should be made in accordance with equity.

Rules

1-1 General
1-2 Exerting Influence on Ball
1-3 Agreement to Waive Rules
1-4 Points Not Covered by Rules

Decisions

1-1/1Two Balls in Play Simultaneously at Different Holes
1-1/2Player Unaware He has Holed Out Puts Another Ball into Play
1-1/3Player Discovers Original Ball in Hole after Searching Five Minutes And then Continuing Play with Provisional Ball
1-1/4Player Discovers Own Ball Is in Hole After Playing Wrong Ball
1-2/0.5Serious Breach of Rule 1-2
1-2/0.7Meaning of "Sole Purpose of Caring for the Course"
1-2/1Line of Putt Altered Purposely by Opponent or Fellow-Competitor by Stepping on It
1-2/1.5Competitor Alters Line of Play of Fellow-Competitor
1-2/2Shielding Line of Putt from Wind
1-2/3Breaking Bush in Area into Which Ball May Roll After Drop
1-2/3.5Player Repairs Hole After Holing Out But Before Opponent, Fellow-Competitor or Partner Holes Out
1-2/4Player Jumps Close to Hole to Cause Ball to Fall into Hole
1-2/5Player Putts with One Hand and Catches Ball in Hole with Other Hand
1-2/5.5Player Purposely Stops or Deflects Ball; Where Next Stroke Must Be Played from

 
1-2/7Player Purposely Deflects Partner's Ball in Motion on Putting Green
1-2/8Player Presses Down Turf as Ball Is Rolling Towards Area
1-2/9Player Presses Ball into Surface of Putting Green
1-2/10Player Wraps Towel Around Self or Places Towel on Cactus Before Taking Stance
1-3/0.5When Breach of Rule 1-3 Occurs

 
1-3/2Agreement to Concede Short Putts
1-3/3Player and Opponent or Fellow-Competitor Agree to Repair Spike Marks on One Another's Line of Putt
1-3/4Failure of Players to Apply Known Penalty
1-3/5Players Unaware Penalty Incurred
1-3/6Marker Attests Wrong Score Knowingly and Competitor Aware Score Wrong
1-3/7Agreement That Side Losing After 18 Holes of 36-Hole Match Will Concede Match
1-4/1Player Distracted by Ball Dropped by Another Player Mis-Hits Ball
1-4/2Ball Adhering to Face of Club After Stroke
1-4/3Flagstick Stuck into Green Some Distance from Hole by Practical Joker
1-4/4In Anger Player Strikes Ball Played by Player in Following Group
1-4/5Removal of Obstruction in Hazard Would Move Loose Impediment

 
1-4/7Ball Lost in Either Water Hazard or Casual Water Overflowing Hazard
1-4/8Nearest Point of Relief from Cart Path Is in Casual Water; Nearest Point of Relief from Casual Water Is Back on Cart Path
1-4/8.5Nearest Point of Relief from Cart Path Is in Casual Water, Nearest Point of Relief from Casual Water Is Back on Cart Path; Impracticable for Player to Drop Ball Into Area of Casual Water
1-4/9Bird's Nest Interfering with Stroke
1-4/10Dangerous Situation; Rattlesnake or Bees Interfere with Play
1-4/11Meaning of "Dangerous Situation"
1-4/12Player Breaches Rules More Than Once; Whether Multiple Penalties Should Be Applied
1-4/13Player Advised of Breach of Rule; Player Breaches Same Rule Prior to Stroke
1-4/14Player Breaches Same Rule Before and After Stroke
1-4/15Player Breaches Two Rules with Different Penalties; More Severe Penalty Applied