Any of these four defined conditions:
Animal HoleAnimal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).,
Ground Under RepairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:,
Immovable ObstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:, or
Temporary WaterTemporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:.
Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.) that is intended to influence a player in:
Choosing a club,
Making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball., or
Deciding how to play during a hole or roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee..
But adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke) that is intended to influence a player in: does not include public information, such as:
The location of things on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: such as the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:, the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:, the fairway, penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there., bunkersBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed., or another player’s ball,
The distance from one point to another, or
The Rules.
Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans).
Any hole dug in the ground by an animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans)., except for holes dug by animalsAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). that are also defined as loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: (such as worms or insects).
The term animal holeAnimal Hole: Any hole dug in the ground by an animal, except for holes dug by animals that are also defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects). includes:
The loose material the animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). dug out of the hole,
Any worn-down track or trail leading into the hole, and
Any area on the ground pushed up or altered as a result of the animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). digging the hole underground.
The five defined areas that make up the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee::
The general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing.,
The teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing,
All penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.,
All bunkersBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed., and
The putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: of the hole the player is playing.
An artificial object when used to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either: the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. or another small piece of equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie..
When a Rule refers to a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. being moved, this means a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. in place on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either: the spot of a ball that has been lifted and not yet replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play..
Artificial objects defining or showing out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds., such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed.
This includes any base and post of a boundary fence, but does not include:
Angled supports or guy wires that are attached to a wall or fence, or
Any steps, bridge or similar construction used for getting over the wall or fence.
Boundary objectsBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed. are treated as immovable even if they are movable or any part of them is movable (see Rule 8.1a).
Boundary objectsBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed. are not obstructionsObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. or integral objectsIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed..
A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.
These are not part of a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.:
A lip, wall or face at the edge of a prepared area and consisting of soil, grass, stacked turf or artificial materials,
Soil or any growing or attached natural object inside the edge of a prepared area (such as grass, bushes or trees),
Sand that has spilled over or is outside the edge of a prepared area, and
All other areas of sand on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: that are not inside the edge of a prepared area (such as deserts and other natural sand areas or areas sometimes referred to as waste areas).
BunkersBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. are one of the five defined areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:.
A CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may define a prepared area of sand as part of the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. (which means it is not a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.) or may define a non-prepared area of sand as a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed..
When a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. is being repaired and the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. defines the entire bunker as ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:, it is treated as part of the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. (which means it is not a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed.).
The word “sand” as used in this Definition and Rule 12 includes any material similar to sand that is used as bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. material (such as crushed shells), as well as any soil that is mixed in with the sand.
Someone who helps a player during a roundCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:, including in these ways:
Carrying, Transporting or Handling Clubs: A person who carries, transports (such as by cart or trolley) or handles a player’s clubs during play is the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: even if not named as a caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: by the player, except when done to move the player’s clubs, bag or cart out of the way or as a courtesy (such as getting a club the player left behind).
Giving Advice: A player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: is the only person (other than a partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. or partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:) a player may ask for adviceAdvice: Any verbal comment or action (such as showing what club was just used to make a stroke) that is intended to influence a player in:.
A caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: may also help the player in other ways allowed by the Rules (see Rule 10.3b).
The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter.
For example, if the longest club (other than a putter) a player has during a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. is a 43-inch (109.22 cm) driver, a club-lengthClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter. is 43 inches for that player for that roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee..
Club-lengthsClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter. are used in defining the player’s teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. on each hole and in determining the size of the player’s relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: when taking relief under a Rule.
The person or group in charge of the competition or the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:.
The lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it. of the player’s ball at rest, the area of intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke., the area of intended swing, the line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line. and the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: where the player will dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. or place a ball.
The “area of intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. ” includes both where the player will place his or her feet and the entire area that might reasonably affect how and where the player’s body is positioned in preparing for and making the intended strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
The “area of intended swing” includes the entire area that might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
Each of the terms “lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it. ”, “line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line. ” and “relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: ” has its own Definition.
The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course.:
All areas inside the boundary edge are in bounds and part of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:.
All areas outside the boundary edge are out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds. and not part of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:.
The boundary edge extends both up above the ground and down below the ground.
The courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: is made up of the five defined areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:.
To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:.
If the player lets go of a ball without intending it to be in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:, the ball has not been droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. and is not in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: (see Rule 14.4).
Each relief Rule identifies a specific relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: where the ball must be droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. and come to rest.
In taking relief, the player must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so that the ball:
Falls straight down, without the player throwing, spinning or rolling it or using any other motion that might affect where the ball will come to rest, and
Does not touch any part of the player’s body or equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. before it hits the ground (see Rule 14.3b).
When a player’s ball is in its own pitch-mark made as a result of the player’s previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. and where part of the ball is below the level of the ground.
A ball does not necessarily have to touch soil to be embeddedEmbedded: When a player’s ball is in its own pitch-mark made as a result of the player’s previous stroke and where part of the ball is below the level of the ground. (for example, grass and loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: may be between the ball and the soil).
Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:.
Objects used for the care of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:, such as rakes, are equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. only while they are being held or carried by the player or caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:.
The specifications and other regulations for clubs, balls and other equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. that players are allowed to use during a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.. The Equipment RulesEquipment Rules: The specifications and other regulations for clubs, balls and other equipment that players are allowed to use during a round. The Equipment Rules are found at usga.org. are found at usga.org.
A movable pole provided by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. that is placed in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: to show players where the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: is. The flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole. includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole.
The requirements for a flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole. are stated in the Equipment RulesEquipment Rules: The specifications and other regulations for clubs, balls and other equipment that players are allowed to use during a round. The Equipment Rules are found at usga.org. .
A form of play where sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. A side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. score for a hole is the lower score of the two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. on that hole.
Four-BallFour-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. may be played as a match-playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: competition between one sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. and another sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. or a stroke-playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. competition among multiple sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
A form of play where two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. compete as a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole.
FoursomesFoursomes (also known as “Alternate Shot”): A form of play where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. may be played as a match-playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: competition between one sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. and another sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. or a stroke-playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. competition among multiple sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
The area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: that covers all of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: except for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there., (3) all bunkersBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed., and (4) the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: of the hole the player is playing.
The general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. includes:
All teeing locations on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: other than the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing., and
All wrong greensWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:.
Loss of hole in match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: or two penalty strokes in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition..
Any part of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. defines to be ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: includes both:
All ground inside the edge of the defined area, and
Any grass, bush, tree or other growing or attached natural object rooted in the defined area, including any part of those objects that extends up above the ground outside the edge of the defined area (but not when such object is attached to or below the ground outside the edge of the defined area, such as a tree root that is part of a tree rooted inside the edge.)
Ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: also includes the following things, even if the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. does not define them as such:
Any hole made by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. or the maintenance staff in:
Setting up the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (such as a hole where a stake has been removed or the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: on a double green being used for the play of another hole), or
Maintaining the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (such as a hole made in removing turf or a tree stump or laying pipelines, but not including aeration holes).
Grass cuttings, leaves and any other material piled for later removal. But:
Any natural materials that are piled for removal are also loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:, and
Any materials left on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: that are not intended to be removed are not ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: unless the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. has defined them as such.
Any animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). habitat (such as a bird’s nest) that is so near a player’s ball that the player’s strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. or stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. might damage it, except when the habitat has been made by animalsAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). that are defined as loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: (such as worms or insects).
The edge of ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: should be defined by stakes, lines or physical features:
Stakes: When defined by stakes, the edge of the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: is defined by the line between the outside points of the stakes at ground level, and the stakes are inside the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:.
Lines: When defined by a painted line on the ground, the edge of the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: is the outside edge of the line, and the line itself is in the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both:.
Physical Features: When defined by physical features (such as a flower bed or a turf nursery), the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should say how the edge of the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: is defined.
When the edge of ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: is defined by lines or physical features, stakes may be used to show where the ground under repairGround Under Repair: Any part of the course the Committee defines to be ground under repair (whether by marking it or otherwise). Any defined ground under repair includes both: is, but they have no other meaning.
The finishing point on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: for the hole being played:
The holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: must be 4 ¼ inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep.
If a lining is used, its outer diameter must not exceed 4 ¼ inches (108 mm). The lining must be sunk at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: surface, unless the nature of the soil requires that it be closer to the surface.
The word “hole” (when not used as a Definition in italics) is used throughout the Rules to mean the part of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: associated with a particular teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing., putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: and holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:. Play of a hole begins from the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. and ends when the ball is holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green. on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: (or when the Rules otherwise say the hole is completed).
When a ball is at rest in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: after a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:.
When the Rules refer to “holing outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green. ” or “hole outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green.,” it means when the player’s ball is holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green..
For the special case of a ball resting against the flagstickFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole. in the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:, see Rule 13.2c (ball is treated as holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green. if any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:).
The right of a player to play first from the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. (see Rule 6.4).
Any obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. that:
Cannot be moved without unreasonable effort or without damaging the obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. or the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:, and
Otherwise does not meet the definition of a movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course..
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may define any obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. to be an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:, even if it meets the definition of movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course..
To alter one or more of the conditions affecting the strokeConditions Affecting the Stroke: The lie of the player’s ball at rest, the area of intended stance, the area of intended swing, the line of play and the relief area where the player will drop or place a ball. or other physical conditions affecting play so that a player gains a potential advantage for a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: and is being used in the play of a hole:
A ball first becomes in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: on a hole:
When the player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. at it from inside the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing., or
In match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds:, when the player makes a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. at it from outside the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. and the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. does not cancel the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. under Rule 6.1b.
That ball remains in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: until it is holedHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green., except that it is no longer in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole::
When it is lifted from the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:,
When it is lostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie (or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. (even if it is at rest on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:) or comes to rest out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds., or
When another ball has been substitutedSubstitute: To change the ball the player is using to play a hole by having another ball become the ball in play. for it, even if not allowed by a Rule.
A ball that is not in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: is a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s:.
The player cannot have more than one ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: at any time. (See Rule 6.3d for the limited cases when a player may play more than one ball at the same time on a hole.)
When the Rules refer to a ball at rest or in motion, this means a ball that is in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:.
When a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. is in place to markMark: To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either: the spot of a ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole::
If the ball has not been lifted, it is still in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:, and
If the ball has been lifted and replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play., it is in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: even if the ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. has not been removed.
An artificial object defined by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. as part of the challenge of playing the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: from which free relief is not allowed.
Integral objectsIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed. are treated as immovable (see Rule 8.1a). But if part of an integral objectIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed. (such as a gate or door or part of an attached cable) meets the definition of movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course., that part is treated as a movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course..
Artificial objects defined by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. as integral objectsIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed. are not obstructionsObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. or boundary objectsBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed..
The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether the ball came to rest in a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there., whether it movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so). or what caused it to moveMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so)..
Known or virtually certainKnown or Virtually Certain: The standard for deciding what happened to a player’s ball – for example, whether the ball came to rest in a penalty area, whether it moved or what caused it to move. means more than just possible or probable. It means that either:
There is conclusive evidence that the event in question happened to the player’s ball, such as when the player or other witnesses saw it happen, or
Although there is a very small degree of doubt, all reasonably available information shows that it is at least 95% likely that the event in question happened.
“All reasonably available information” includes all information the player knows and all other information he or she can get with reasonable effort and without unreasonable delay.
The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:, integral objectIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed., or boundary objectBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed. touching the ball or right next to it.
Loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: and movable obstructionsMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course. are not part of the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it. of a ball.
The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball., including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line.
The line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line. is not necessarily a straight line between two points (for example, it may be a curved line based on where the player intends the ball to go).
Any unattached natural object such as:
Stones, loose grass, leaves, branches and sticks,
Dead animalsAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). and animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). waste,
Worms, insects and similar animalsAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). that can be removed easily, and the mounds or webs they build (such as worm casts and ant hills), and
Clumps of compacted soil (including aeration plugs).
Such natural objects are not loose if they are:
Attached or growing,
Solidly embedded in the ground (that is, cannot be picked out easily), or
Sticking to the ball.
Special cases:
Sand and Loose Soil are not loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:.
Dew, Frost and Water are not loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as:.
Snow and Natural Ice (other than frost) are either loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: or, when on the ground, temporary waterTemporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:, at the player’s option.
Spider Webs are loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: even though they are attached to another object.
The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: (or the player’s partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. or partner’sPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:) begins to search for it.
If the search begins and is then temporarily interrupted for a good reason (such as when the player stops searching when play is suspended or needs to stand aside to wait for another player to play) or when the player has mistakenly identified a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s::
The time between the interruption and when the search resumes does not count, and
The time allowed for search is three minutes in total, counting the search time both before the interruption and after the search resumes.
To show the spot where a ball is at rest by either:
Placing a ball-markerBall-Marker: An artificial object when used to mark the spot of a ball to be lifted, such as a tee, a coin, an object made to be a ball-marker or another small piece of equipment. right behind or right next to the ball, or
Holding a club on the ground right behind or right next to the ball.
This is done to show the spot where the ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. after it is lifted.
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition., the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play. and for certifying that scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play.. The markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner. may be another player, but not a partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may identify who will be the player’s markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner. or tell the players how they may choose a markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner..
A form of play where a player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. plays directly against an opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. or opposing sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. in a head-to-head match of one or more roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.:
A player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. wins a hole in the match by completing the hole in fewer strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. made and penalty strokes), and
The match is won when a player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. leads the opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. or opposing sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. by more holes than remain to be played.
Match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: can be played as a singles match (where one player plays directly against one opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.), a Three-BallThree-Ball: A form of match play where: match or a FoursomesFoursomes (also known as “Alternate Shot”): A form of play where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. or Four-BallFour-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole. match between sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of two partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play..
A form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. where a player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. made and any penalty strokes) set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey.
An obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. or the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:.
If part of an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: or integral objectIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed. (such as a gate or door or part of an attached cable) meets these two standards, that part is treated as a movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course..
But this does not apply if the movable part of an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: or integral objectIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed. is not meant to be moved (such as a loose stone that is part of a stone wall).
Even when an obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. is movable, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may define it to be an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:.
When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so).
This applies whether the ball has gone up, down or horizontally in any direction away from its original spot.
If the ball only wobbles (sometimes referred to as oscillating) and stays on or returns to its original spot, the ball has not movedMoved: When a ball at rest has left its original spot and come to rest on any other spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye (whether or not anyone actually sees it do so)..
The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity.
The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: (Rule 16.1), dangerous animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). condition (Rule 16.2), wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include: (Rule 13.1f) or no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules.
It is the estimated point where the ball would lie that is:
Nearest to the ball’s original spot, but not nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: than that spot,
In the required area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:, and
Where the condition does not interfere with the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. the player would have made from the original spot if the condition was not there.
Estimating this reference point requires the player to identify the choice of club, stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke., swing and line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line. he or she would have used for that strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
The player does not need to simulate that strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. by taking an actual stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. and swinging with the chosen club (but it is recommended that the player normally do this to help in making an accurate estimate).
The nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules. relates solely to the particular condition from which relief is being taken and may be in a location where there is interference by something else:
If the player takes relief and then has interference by another condition from which relief is allowed, the player may take relief again by determining a new nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules. from the new condition.
Relief must be taken separately for each condition, except that the player may take relief from both conditions at the same time (based on determining the nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules. from both) when, having already taken relief separately from each condition, it becomes reasonable to conclude that continuing to do so will result in continued interference by one or the other.
A part of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: where the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. has prohibited play. A no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. must be defined as part of either an abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: or a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may use no play zonesNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. for any reason, such as:
Protecting wildlife, animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). habitats, and environmentally sensitive areas,
Preventing damage to young trees, flower beds, turf nurseries, re-turfed areas or other planted areas,
Protecting players from danger, and
Preserving sites of historical or cultural interest.
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should define the edge of a no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. with a line or stakes, and the line or stakes (or the tops of those stakes) should identify the no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. as different than a regular abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: or penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. that does not contain a no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area..
Any artificial object except for integral objectsIntegral Object: An artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed. and boundary objectsBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed..
Examples of obstructionsObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects.:
Artificially surfaced roads and paths, including their artificial borders.
Buildings and rain shelters.
Sprinkler heads, drains and irrigation or control boxes.
Stakes, walls, railings and fences (but not when they are boundary objectsBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed. that define or show the boundary edge of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee:).
Golf carts, mowers, cars and other vehicles.
Waste containers, signposts and benches.
Player equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie., flagsticksFlagstick: A movable pole provided by the Committee that is placed in the hole to show players where the hole is. The flagstick includes the flag and any other material or objects attached to the pole. and rakes.
An obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects. is either a movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course. or an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that:. If part of an immovable obstructionImmovable Obstruction: Any obstruction that: (such as a gate or door or part of an attached cable) meets the definition of movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course., that part is treated as a movable obstructionMovable Obstruction: An obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course..
The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. applies only in match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds:.
Any of these people or things that can affect what happens to a player’s ball or equipmentEquipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. or to the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee::
Any person (including another player), except the player or his or her caddieCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways: or the player’s partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. or opponentOpponent: The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play. or any of their caddiesCaddie: Someone who helps a player during a round, including in these ways:,
Any animalAnimal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans)., and
Any natural or artificial object or anything else (including another ball in motion), except for natural forcesNatural Forces: The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity..
All areas outside the boundary edge of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: as defined by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course.. All areas inside that edge are in bounds.
The boundary edge of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: extends both up above the ground and down below the ground:
This means that all ground and anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the boundary edge is in bounds, whether on, above or below the surface of the ground.
If an object is both inside and outside the boundary edge (such as steps attached to a boundary fence, or a tree rooted outside the edge with branches extending inside the edge or vice versa), only the part of the object that is outside the edge is out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds..
The boundary edge should be defined by boundary objectsBoundary Object: Artificial objects defining or showing out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, from which free relief is not allowed. or lines:
Boundary Objects: When defined by stakes or a fence, the boundary edge is defined by the line between the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: -side points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level (excluding angled supports), and those stakes or fence posts are out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds..
When defined by other objects such as a wall or when the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. wishes to treat a boundary fence in a different way, the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should define the boundary edge.
Lines: When defined by a painted line on the ground, the boundary edge is the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: -side edge of the line, and the line itself is out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds..
When a line on the ground defines the boundary edge, stakes may be used to show where the boundary edge is, but they have no other meaning.
Boundary stakes or lines should be white.
A form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. that uses scoring as in match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: where:
A player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. wins or loses a hole by completing the hole in fewer strokes or more strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. made and any penalty strokes) than a fixed target score for that hole set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., and
The competition is won by the player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. with the highest total of holes won versus holes lost (that is, adding up the holes won and subtracting the holes lost).
A player who competes together with another player as a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play., in either match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: or stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition..
An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.
A penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is:
Any body of water on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (whether or not marked by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course.), including a sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open watercourse (even if not containing water), and
Any other part of the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. defines as a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
A penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is one of the five defined areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:.
There are two different types of penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there., distinguished by the colour used to mark them:
Yellow penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. (marked with yellow lines or yellow stakes) give the player two relief options (Rules 17.1d(1) and (2)).
Red penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. (marked with red lines or red stakes) give the player an extra lateral relief option (Rule 17.1d(3)), in addition to the two relief options available for yellow penalty areasPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
If the colour of a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. has not been marked or indicated by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., it is treated as a red penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
The edge of a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. extends both up above the ground and down below the ground:
This means that all ground and anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the edge is part of the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there., whether on, above or below the surface of the ground.
If an object is both inside and outside the edge (such as a bridge over the penalty area, or a tree rooted inside the edge with branches extending outside the edge or vice versa), only the part of the object that is inside the edge is part of the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
The edge of a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. should be defined by stakes, lines or physical features:
Stakes: When defined by stakes, the edge of the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is defined by the line between the outside points of the stakes at ground level, and the stakes are inside the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
Lines: When defined by a painted line on the ground, the edge of the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is the outside edge of the line, and the line itself is in the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
Physical Features: When defined by physical features (such as a beach or desert area or a retaining wall), the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. should say how the edge of the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is defined.
When the edge of a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is defined by lines or by physical features, stakes may be used to show where the penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is, but they have no other meaning.
When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., the edge of that penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).
If an open watercourse usually does not contain water (such as a drainage ditch or run-off area that is dry except during a rainy season), the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may define that area as part of the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. (which means it is not a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.).
The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. (Rule 16.1c) or on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: (Rule 16.1d) when there is no nearest point of complete reliefNearest Point of Complete Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), wrong green (Rule 13.1f) or no play zone (Rules 16.1f and 17.1e), or in taking relief under certain Local Rules..
It is the estimated point where the ball would lie that is:
Nearest to the ball’s original spot, but not nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: than that spot,
In the required area of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:, and
Where that abnormal course conditionAbnormal Course Condition: Any of these four defined conditions: least interferes with the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. the player would have made from the original spot if the condition was not there.
Estimating this reference point requires the player to identify the choice of club, stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke., swing and line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line. the player would have used for that strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
The player does not need to simulate that strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. by taking an actual stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. and swinging with the chosen club (but it is recommended that the player normally do this to help in making an accurate estimate).
The point of maximum available reliefPoint of Maximum Available Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition in a bunker (Rule 16.1c) or on the putting green (Rule 16.1d) when there is no nearest point of complete relief. is found by comparing the relative amount of interference with the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it. of the ball and the player’s area of intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. and swing and, on the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: only, the line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line.. For example, when taking relief from temporary waterTemporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that::
The point of maximum available reliefPoint of Maximum Available Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition in a bunker (Rule 16.1c) or on the putting green (Rule 16.1d) when there is no nearest point of complete relief. may be where the ball will be in shallower water than where the player will stand (affecting the stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. more than the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it. and swing), or where the ball is in deeper water than where the player will stand (affecting the lieLie: The spot on which a ball is at rest and any growing or attached natural object, immovable obstruction, integral object, or boundary object touching the ball or right next to it. and swing more than the stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke.).
On the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:, the point of maximum available reliefPoint of Maximum Available Relief: The reference point for taking free relief from an abnormal course condition in a bunker (Rule 16.1c) or on the putting green (Rule 16.1d) when there is no nearest point of complete relief. may be based on the line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line. where the ball will need to go through the shallowest or shortest stretch of temporary waterTemporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:.
Another ball played in case the ball just played by the player may be:
Out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds., or
LostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie (or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. outside a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there..
A provisional ballProvisional Ball: Another ball played in case the ball just played by the player may be: is not the player’s ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:, unless it becomes the ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: under Rule 18.3c.
The area on the hole the player is playing that:
Is specially prepared for putting, or
The CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. has defined as the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: (such as when a temporary green is used).
The putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: for a hole contains the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: into which the player tries to play a ball.
The putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: is one of the five defined areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:. The putting greens for all other holes (which the player is not playing at the time) are wrong greensWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include: and part of the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing..
The edge of a putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: is defined by where it can be seen that the specially prepared area starts (such as where the grass has been distinctly cut to show the edge), unless the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. defines the edge in a different way (such as by using a line or dots).
If a double green is used for two different holes:
The entire prepared area containing both holesHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: is treated as the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: when playing each hole.
But the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. may define an edge that divides the double green into two different putting greensPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that:, so that when a player is playing one of the holes, the part of the double green on the side of the edge that is used for the other hole is a wrong greenWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include:.
An official named by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. to decide questions of fact and apply the Rules.
The area where a player must dropDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: whose size and location are based on these three factors:
Reference Point: The point from which the size of relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: is measured.
Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: The relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: is either one or two club-lengthsClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter. from the reference point, but with certain limits:
Limits on Location of Relief Area: The location of the relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors: may be limited in one or more ways so that, for example:
It is only in certain defined areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:, such as only in the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing., or not in a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. or a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.,
It is not nearer the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: than the reference point or must be outside a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. or a bunkerBunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. from which relief is being taken, or
It is where there is no interference (as defined in the particular Rule) from the condition from which relief is being taken.
In using club-lengthsClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter. to determine the size of a relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:, the player may measure directly across a ditch, hole or similar thing, and directly across or through an object (such as a tree, fence, wall, tunnel, drain or sprinkler head), but is not allowed to measure through ground that naturally slopes up and down.
To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:.
If the player sets a ball down without intending it to be in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:, the ball has not been replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. and is not in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: (see Rule 14.4).
Whenever a Rule requires a ball to be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play., the Rule involved identifies a specific spot where the ball must be replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play..
18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course..
The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition..
The scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play. may be in any paper or electronic form approved by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. that allows:
The player’s score to be entered for each hole,
The player’s handicap to be entered, if it is a handicap competition, and
The markerMarker: In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner. and the player to certify the scores, and the player to certify his or her handicap in a handicap competition, either by physical signature or by a method of electronic certification approved by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course..
A scorecardScorecard: The document where a player’s score for each hole is entered in stroke play. is not required in match playCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. but may be used by the players to help keep the match score.
In stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition., when playing from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules. could give the player a significant advantage compared to the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. to be made from the right place.
In making this comparison to decide if there was a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place., the factors to be taken into account include:
The difficulty of the strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.,
The distance of the ball from the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played:,
The effect of obstacles on the line of playLine of Play: The line where the player intends his or her ball to go after a stroke, including the area on that line that is a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that line., and
The conditions affecting the strokeConditions Affecting the Stroke: The lie of the player’s ball at rest, the area of intended stance, the area of intended swing, the line of play and the relief area where the player will drop or place a ball..
The concept of a serious breachSerious Breach: In stroke play, when playing from a wrong place could give the player a significant advantage compared to the stroke to be made from the right place. does not apply in match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds:, because a player loses the hole if he or she plays from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules..
Two or more partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. competing as a single unit in a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. in match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: or stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition..
Each set of partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. is a sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play., whether each partnerPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. plays his or her own ball (Four-BallFour-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.) or the partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. play one ball (FoursomesFoursomes (also known as “Alternate Shot”): A form of play where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole.).
A sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. is not the same as a team. In a team competition, each team consists of players competing as individuals or as sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play..
A form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. where:
A player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. score for a hole is based on points awarded by comparing the player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. number of strokes on the hole (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. made and any penalty strokes) to a fixed score for the hole set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., and
The competition is won by the player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. who completes all roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. with the most points.
The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball.
But a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. has not been made if the player:
Decides during the downswing not to strike the ball and avoids doing so by deliberately stopping the clubhead before it reaches the ball or, if unable to stop, by deliberately missing the ball.
Accidentally strikes the ball when making a practice swing or while preparing to make a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
When the Rules refer to “playing a ball,” it means the same as making a strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball..
The player’s score for a hole or a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. is described as a number of “strokes” or “strokes taken”, which means both all strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. made and any penalty strokes (see Rule 3.1c).
The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. was made (see Rule 14.6).
The term stroke and distanceStroke and Distance: The procedure and penalty when a player takes relief under Rules 17, 18 or 19 by playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6). means that the player both:
Gets one penalty stroke, and
Loses the benefit of any gain of distance towards the holeHole: The finishing point on the putting green for the hole being played: from the spot where the previous strokeStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. was made.
A form of play where a player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. competes against all other players or sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. in the competition.
In the regular form of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. (see Rule 3.3):
A player’s or side’sSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. score for a roundRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. is the total number of strokes (including strokesStroke: The forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. made and any penalty strokes) to hole outHoled: When a ball is at rest in the hole after a stroke and the entire ball is below the surface of the putting green. on each hole, and
The winner is the player or sideSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. who completes all roundsRound: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee. in the fewest total strokes.
Other forms of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. with different scoring methods are StablefordStableford: A form of stroke play where:, Maximum ScoreMaximum Score: A form of stroke play where a player’s or side’s score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes (including strokes made and any penalty strokes) set by the Committee, such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey. and Par/BogeyPar/Bogey: A form of stroke play that uses scoring as in match play where: (see Rule 21).
All forms of stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. can be played either in individual competitions (each player competing on his or her own) or in competitions involving sidesSide: Two or more partners competing as a single unit in a round in match play or stroke play. of partnersPartner: A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play. (FoursomesFoursomes (also known as “Alternate Shot”): A form of play where two partners compete as a side by playing one ball in alternating order on each hole. or Four-BallFour-Ball: A form of play where sides of two partners compete, with each player playing his or her own ball. A side’s score for a hole is the lower score of the two partners on that hole.).
To change the ball the player is using to play a hole by having another ball become the ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:.
The player has substitutedSubstitute: To change the ball the player is using to play a hole by having another ball become the ball in play. another ball when he or she puts that ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: in any way (see Rule 14.4) instead of the player’s original ball, whether the original ball was:
In playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:, or
No longer in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: because it had been lifted from the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: or was lostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie (or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. or out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds..
A substitutedSubstitute: To change the ball the player is using to play a hole by having another ball become the ball in play. ball is the player’s ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: even if:
It was replacedReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play., droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. or placed in a wrong way or wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules., or
The player was required under the Rules to put the original ball back in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: rather than to substituteSubstitute: To change the ball the player is using to play a hole by having another ball become the ball in play. another ball.
An object used to raise a ball above the ground to play it from the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing.. It must be no longer than 4 inches (101.6 mm) and conform with the Equipment RulesEquipment Rules: The specifications and other regulations for clubs, balls and other equipment that players are allowed to use during a round. The Equipment Rules are found at usga.org. .
The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing.
The teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. is a rectangle that is two club-lengthsClub-Length: The length of the longest club of the 14 (or fewer) clubs the player has during the round (as allowed by Rule 4.1b(1)), other than a putter. deep where:
The front edge is defined by the line between the forward-most points of two tee-markers set by the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course., and
The side edges are defined by the lines back from the outside points of the tee-markers.
The teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. is one of the five defined areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course:.
All other teeing locations on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (whether on the same hole or any other hole) are part of the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing..
Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:
Is not in a penalty areaPenalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there., and
Can be seen before or after the player takes a stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. (without pressing down excessively with his or her feet).
It is not enough for the ground to be merely wet, muddy or soft or for the water to be momentarily visible as the player steps on the ground; an accumulation of water must remain present either before or after the stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. is taken.
Special cases:
Dew and Frost are not temporary waterTemporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:.
Snow and Natural Ice (other than frost), are either loose impedimentsLoose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: or, when on the ground, temporary waterTemporary Water: Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:, at the player’s option.
Manufactured Ice is an obstructionObstruction: Any artificial object except for integral objects and boundary objects..
A form of match playMatch Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: where:
Each of three players plays an individual match against the other two players at the same time, and
Each player plays one ball that is used in both of his or her matches.
Any ball other than the player’s:
Ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: (whether the original ball or a substitutedSubstitute: To change the ball the player is using to play a hole by having another ball become the ball in play. ball),
Provisional ballProvisional Ball: Another ball played in case the ball just played by the player may be: (before it is abandoned under Rule 18.3c), or
Second ball in stroke playStroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. played under Rules 14.7b or 20.1c.
Examples of a wrong ballWrong Ball: Any ball other than the player’s: are:
Another player’s ball in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:.
A stray ball.
The player’s own ball that is out of boundsOut of Bounds: All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds., has become lostLost: The status of a ball that is not found in three minutes after the player or his or her caddie (or the player’s partner or partner’scaddie) begins to search for it. or has been lifted and not yet put back in playIn Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole:.
Any green on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: other than the putting greenPutting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greensWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include: include:
The putting greens for all other holes that the player is not playing at the time,
The normal putting green for a hole where a temporary green is being used, and
All practice greens for putting, chipping or pitching, unless the CommitteeCommittee: The person or group in charge of the competition or the course. excludes them by Local Rule.
Wrong greensWrong Green: Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing. Wrong greens include: are part of the general areaGeneral Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing..
Any place on the courseCourse: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules.
Examples of playing from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules. are:
Playing a ball after replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. it on the wrong spot or without replacingReplace: To place a ball by setting it down and letting it go, with the intent for it to be in play. it when required by the Rules.
Playing a droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. ball from outside the required relief areaRelief Area: The area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief under a Rule. Each relief Rule requires the player to use a specific relief area whose size and location are based on these three factors:.
Taking relief under a wrong Rule, so that the ball is droppedDrop: To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play. in and played from a place not allowed under the Rules.
Playing a ball from a no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. or when a no play zoneNo Play Zone: A part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. A no play zone must be defined as part of either an abnormal course condition or a penalty area. interferes with the player’s area of intended stanceStance: The position of a player’s feet and body in preparing for and making a stroke. or swing.
Playing a ball from outside the teeing areaTeeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. in starting play of a hole or in trying to correct that mistake is not playing from a wrong placeWrong Place: Any place on the course other than where the player is required or allowed to play his or her ball under the Rules. (see Rule 6.1b).