• Foreword
  • Principal Changes Introduced in the 2023 Rules of Golf
  • How to Use the Rules of Golf
  • I. Fundamentals of the Game (Rules 1-4)
  • Rule 1 - The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules
    • 1.1 The Game of Golf
    • 1.2 Standards of Player Conduct
    • 1.3 Playing by the Rules
  • Rule 1 - The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules
    • 1.2a/1Determining If a Player Has Committed Serious Misconduct
    • 1.3b(1)/1 Disqualifying Players Who Know a Rule but Agree to Ignore It
    • 1.3b(1)/2 In Order to Agree to Ignore a Rule or Penalty, Players Must Be Aware the Rule Exists
    • 1.3c/1 Player Is Not Disqualified from a Competition When That Round Does Not Count
    • 1.3c/2 Applying Disqualification Penalties, Concessions and Wrong Number of Strokes in a Stroke-Play Play-Off
    • 1.3c(1)/1 Action of Another Person Breaches a Rule For Player
    • 1.3c(4)/1 Player Gets Two One-Stroke Penalties When There Is an Intervening Event
    • 1.3c(4)/2 Player Breaches Rule Then Breaches Antoher Rule as Part of Their Next Stroke
  • Rule 2 - The Course
    • 2.1 Course Boundaries and Out of Bounds
    • 2.2 Defined Areas of the Course
    • 2.3 Objects or Conditions That Can Interfere with Play
    • 2.4 No Play Zones
  • Rule 3 - The Competition
    • 3.1 Central Elements of Every Competition
    • 3.2 Match Play
    • 3.3 Stroke Play
  • Rule 3 - The Competition
    • 3.2b(1)/1 Players Must Not Concede Holes to Shorten a Match
    • 3.2b(1)/2 Concessions Not Vaild When Result of Hole Has Already Been Decided
    • 3.2b(2)/1 Concessions Is Not Vaild When Caddie Attempts to Make Concession
    • 3.2c(1)/1 Declaring Higher Handicap Is a Breach Even If Affected Hole Has Not Been Played
    • 3.2c(1)/2 Player Gives Opponent Incorrect Handicap Information Before Handicap Match
    • 3.2d(1)/1 Meaning of the "No Penalty If No Effect on Result of Hole" Exception
    • 3.2d(1)/2 Wrong Number of Strokes Given by Player After Hole Completed and the Mistake Is Discovered Several Holes Later
    • 3.2d(1)/3 Wrong Number of Strokes Given by Player After Hole Completed and the Mistake Is Discovered After Result of the Match Is Final
    • 3.2d(1)/4 Changing Mind About Taking Penalty Relief Is Not Giving Wrong Number of Strokes Taken
    • 3.2d(2)/1 "As Soon as Reasonably Possible" Is Not Always Before the Opponent's Next Stroke
    • 3.2d(3)/1 Deliberately Giving Incorrect Match Score or Failing to Correct Opponent's Misunderstanding of Match Score May Result in Disqualification
    • 3.2d(4)/1 Meaning of "Agree" in Rule 3.2d(4)
    • 3.3b/1 Players Must Be Accompanied by a Marker for the Entire Round
    • 3.3b/2 Information Put in Wrong Location on Scorecard May Still Be Acceptable
    • 3.3b/3 Another Scorecard May Be Used If Official Scorecard Is Damaged or Misplaced
    • 3.3b(2)/1 Players Are Required to Enter Only Scores on a Scorecard
    • 3.3b(2)/2 Application of the Exception for Marker Failing to Carry Out Their Responsibilities
    • 3.3b(3)/1 Scores on Scorecard Must Be Identifiable to Correct Hole
    • 3.3b(4)/1 Penalty for Player Who Deliberately Fails to Alert Committee to an Administrative Mistake
  • Rule 4 - The Player's Equipment
    • 4.1 Clubs
    • 4.2 Balls
    • 4.3 Use of Equipment
  • Rule 4 - The Player's Equipment
    • 4.1a(1)/1 Wear Through Normal Use Does Not Change Conformity
    • 4.1a(1)/2 No Penalty for Stroke with Non-Conforming Club When Stroke Disregarded
    • 4.1a(2)/1 Meaning of "Repair"
    • 4.1b/1 How to Apply Adjustment Penalty Once Any Player Starts Hole During Match
    • 4.1b(1)/1 Clubs Carried for Player Count Towards the 14-Club Limit
    • 4.1b(2)/1 Multiple Players May Carry Clubs in One Bag
    • 4.1b(2)/2 Sharing Clubs Is Not Allowed for Strokes That Count in a Player's Score
    • 4.1b(4)/1 Club Components May Be Assembled When Not Carried by or for Player
    • 4.2a(1)/1 Status of Ball Not on List of Conforming Golf Balls
    • 4.2a(1)/2 Status of "X-Out", "Refurbished" and "Practice" Balls
    • 4.2a(1)/3 No Penalty for Playing Non-Conforming Ball When Stroke Is Disregarded
    • 4.3a/1 Limitations on Using Green-Reading Materials
    • 4.3a/2 When Use of Alignment Device Results in Breach
    • 4.3a(1)/1 Restrictions on Using Equipment to Gauge Slope
  • II. Playing the Round and Hole (Rules 5-6)
  • Rule 5 - Playing the Round
    • 5.1 Meaning of Round
    • 5.2 Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds
    • 5.3 Starting and Ending Round
    • 5.4 Playing in Groups
    • 5.5 Practising During Round or While Play Is Stopped
    • 5.6 Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play
    • 5.7 Stopping Play; Resuming Play
  • Rule 5 - Playing the Round
    • 5.2/1 Meaning of "Course" in Rule 5.2
    • 5.2b/1 Meaning of "Completing Play of Their Final Round for That Day" in Stroke Play
    • 5.2b/2 Practising May Be Allowed on Course Before a Round in a Competition That Covers Consecutive Days
    • 5.3a/1 Exceptional Circumstances That Warrant Waiving Starting Time Penalty
    • 5.3a/2 Meaning of "Starting Point"
    • 5.3a/3 Meaning of "Ready to Play"
    • 5.3a/4 Player at Starting Point but Then Leaves Starting Point
    • 5.3a/5 Match Starts on Second Hole When Both Players Late
    • 5.5a/1 Practice Stroke with Ball of Similar Size to Conforming Ball is Breach
    • 5.5c/1 Extra Practice Permissions No Longer Apply When Stroke-Play Round Resumed
    • 5.6a/1 Examples of Delays That Are Considered Reasonable or Unreasonable
    • 5.6a/2 Player Who Gets Sudden Illness or Injury Is Normally Allowed 15 Minutes to Recover
    • 5.7a/1 When a Player Has Stopped Play
    • 5.7b/1 Dropping a Ball After Play Has Been Suspended Is Not Failing to Stop Play
    • 5.7b(1)/1 Circumstances That Justify a Player's Failure to Stop Play
    • 5.7c/1 Players Must Resume When Committee Concludes There Is No Danger from Lightning
    • 5.7d(1)/1 Whether Player Must Accept Improved or Worsened Lie in Bunker During a Suspension
  • Rule 6 - Playing a Hole
    • 6.1 Starting Play of a Hole
    • 6.2 Playing Ball from Teeing Area
    • 6.3 Ball Used in Play of Hole
    • 6.4 Order of Play When Playing Hole
    • 6.5 Completing Play of a Hole
  • Rule 6 - Playing a Hole
    • 6.1b(1)/1 Ball Played from Outside Teeing Area in Match Play and Stroke Not Cancelled by Opponent
    • 6.2b(4)/1 Tee-Marker Moved by Player Should Be Replaced
    • 6.3a/1 What to Do When Balls Exchanged at Unknown Place
    • 6.3c(1)/1 Meaning of "Penalty Strokes Solely From Playing That Ball"
    • 6.4b(1)/1 Meaning of "Same Order" in Rule 6.4b(1) When Players Played Out of Turn at Previous Teeing Area
    • 6.4c/1 Stroke Cannot Be Cancelled When Provisional Ball Played Out of Turn from Teeing Area
    • 6.5/1 When a Player or Side Has Completed a Hole
  • III. Playing the Ball (Rules 7-11)
  • Rule 7 - Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Ball
    • 7.1 How to Fairly Search for Ball
    • 7.2 How to Identify Ball
    • 7.3 Lifting Ball to Identify It
    • 7.4 Ball Accidentally Moved in Trying to Find or Identify It
  • Rule 7 - Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Ball
    • 7.1a/1 Examples of Actions Unlikely to Be Part of a Fair Search
    • 7.2/1 Identifying Ball That Cannot Be Retrieved
    • 7.4/1 Estimating Original Spot on Which to Replace Ball Moved During Search
    • 7.4/2 Meaning of "Trying to Find"
    • 7.4/3 Ball Moved When Search Temporarily Stopped
  • Rule 8 - Course Played as It Is Found
    • 8.1 Player's Actions That Improve Conditions Affecting the Stroke
    • 8.2 Player's Deliberate Actions to Alter Other Physical Conditions to Affect the Player's Own Ball at Rest or Stroke to Be Made
    • 8.3 Player's Deliberate Actions to Alter Physical Conditions to Affect Another Player's Ball at Rest or Stroke to Be Made
  • Rule 8 - Course Played as It Is Found
    • 8.1a/1 Examples of Actions That Are Likely to Create Potential Advantage
    • 8.1a/2 Examples of Actions Unlikely to Create Potential Advantage
    • 8.1a/3 Player Who Improves Conditions for Intended Stroke in Breach Even if Different Stroke Is Made
    • 8.1a/4 Example of Moving, Bending or Breaking an Immovable Obstruction
    • 8.1a/5 Building Stance by Positioning Object Such as Towel Is Not Permitted
    • 8.1a/6 Altering Surface of Ground to Build Stance Is Not Permitted
    • 8.1a/7 Player May Probe Near Ball to Determine if Tree Roots, Rocks or Obstructions Are Below Surface of Ground, but Only if This Does Not Improve Conditions
    • 8.1a/8 Altering Surface of Ground in Relief Area Is Not Allowed
    • 8.1a/9 When Divot Is Replaced and Must Not Be Removed or Pressed Down
    • 8.1b/1 Player Allowed to Dig in Firmly with Feet More Than Once in Taking Stance
    • 8.1b/2 Examples of "Fairly Taking a Stance"
    • 8.1b/3 Examples of Not "Fairly Taking a Stance"
    • 8.1b/4 Improving Conditions in Teeing Area Is Limited to Ground
    • 8.1b/5 Player Smooths Bunker to "Care for the Course" After Playing Out of Bunker
    • 8.1b/6 When Damage That Is Partially On and Partially Off Putting Green May Be Repaired
    • 8.1d(1)/1 Examples Where Player Is Allowed to Restore Conditions Altered by the Actions of Another Person or Outside Influence
    • 8.1d(1)/2 Player Is Entitled to Have Loose Impediments or Movable Obstructions Left Where They Were When Ball Came to Rest
    • 8.1d(2)/1 Examples of Conditions Altered by a Natural Object or Natural Forces Where Player Is Not Allowed to Restore Worsened Conditions
    • 8.1d(2)/2 Player Is Not Allowed to Restore Conditions Affecting the Stroke When Worsened by Caddie or Another Person at Player's Request
    • 8.1d(2)/3 If Player Enters a Bunker on the Line of Play He or She Must Not Restore Worsened Conditions
    • 8.2b/1 Examples of Player’s Deliberate Actions to Improve Other Physical Conditions Affecting Their Own Play
    • 8.3/1 Both Players Are Penalized if Physical Conditions Are Improved with Other Player's Knowledge
  • Rule 9 - Ball Played as It Lies; Ball at Rest Lifted or Moved
    • 9.1 Ball Played as It Lies
    • 9.2 Deciding Whether Ball Moved and What Caused It to Move
    • 9.3 Ball Moved by Natural Forces
    • 9.4 Ball Lifted or Moved by Player
    • 9.5 Ball Lifted or Moved by Opponent in Match Play
    • 9.6 Ball Lifted or Moved by Outside Influence
    • 9.7 Ball-Marker Lifted or Moved
  • Rule 9 - Ball Played as It Lies; Ball at Rest Lifted or Moved
    • 9.2a/1 When a Ball Is Treated as Having Moved
    • 9.2a/2 Player Responsible for Actions That Cause Ball to Move Even When Not Aware Ball Moved
    • 9.2b/1 Determining Whether the Player's Actions Caused the Ball to Move When Equipment Is Involved
    • 9.4a/1 Procedure When Player's Ball Is Dislodged From Tree
    • 9.4b/1 Ball Deliberately Touched but Not Moved Results in Penalty to Player
    • 9.4b/2 Meaning of "While" in Rule 9.4b Exception 4
    • 9.4b/3 Meaning of "Reasonable Actions" in Rule 9.4b Exception 4
    • 9.4b/4 Player Lifts Ball Under Rule 16.1b That Allows Free Relief but Then Decides Not to Take Free Relief
    • 9.5b/1 Player Declares Found Ball as Theirs and This Causes Opponent to Lift Another Ball That Turns Out to Be the Player's Ball
    • 9.6/1 Outside Influence Moved by Wind Causes Ball to Move
    • 9.6/2 Where to Replace Ball When It Was Moved from Unknown Location
    • 9.6/3 Player Learns That Ball Moved After Stroke Made
    • 9.6/4 Ball at Rest Played and then Discovered to Have Been Moved by Outside Influence; Ball Turns Out to be Wrong Ball
  • Rule 10 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Caddies
    • 10.1 Making a Stroke
    • 10.2 Advice and Other Help
    • 10.3 Caddies
  • Rule 10 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Caddies
    • 10.1a/1 Examples of Pushing, Scraping or Scooping
    • 10.1a/2 Other Material May Intervene Between Ball and Clubhead During Stroke
    • 10.1b/1 Player Must Not Anchor the Club with Forearm Against Body
    • 10.1b/2 Deliberate Contact with Clothing During Stroke Is a Breach
    • 10.1b/3 Inadvertent Contact with Clothing During Stroke Is Not a Breach
    • 10.2a/1 Player May Get Information from Shared Caddie
    • 10.2a/2 Player Must Try to Stop Ongoing Advice That Is Given Voluntarily
    • 10.2b/1 Use of Self-Standing Putter for Alignment Help Is Not Allowed
    • 10.2b(3)/1 Setting Clubhead on Ground Behind Ball to Help the Player Take a Stance is Allowed
    • 10.2b(4)/1 Caddie in Restricted Area Provides Help Before Player Begins To Take Stance
    • 10.2b(5)/1 Player May Ask Another Person Who Was Not Deliberately Positioned to Move or Remain in Place
    • 10.2b(5)/2 Player May Wear Protective Clothing
    • 10.3a/1 Player Transports Clubs on Motorized Golf Cart and Hires Individual to Perform All Other Functions of a Caddie
    • 10.3a/2 Player May Caddie for Another Player When Not Playing a Round
  • Rule 11 - Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person, Animal or Object; Deliberate Actions to Affect Ball in Motion
    • 11.1 Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence
    • 11.2 Ball in Motion Deliberately Deflected or Stopped by Person
    • 11.3 Deliberately Moving Objects or Altering Conditions to Affect Ball in Motion
  • Rule 11 - Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person, Animal or Object; Deliberate Actions to Affect Ball in Motion
    • 11.1b/1 Playing from Where Ball Came to Rest When Stroke Must Be Replayed Is Not Playing from Wrong Place
    • 11.1b/2 What to Do When Ball Moves After Being Accidentally Deflected or Stopped
    • 11.1b/3 What to Do When Ball Played from Anywhere Except Putting Green Is Deflected or Picked Up by an Animal
    • 11.2a/1 Equipment Left in Position After Player Realizes It Could Be Helpful if the Ball Were to Hit It
    • 11.3/1 Outcome of Deliberate Actions to Affect Ball inMotion Is Irrelevant
  • IV. Specific Rules for Bunkers and Putting Greens (Rules 12-13)
  • Rule 12 - Bunkers
    • 12.1 When Ball Is in Bunker
    • 12.2 Playing Ball in Bunker
    • 12.3 Specific Rules for Relief for Ball in Bunker
  • Rule 12 - Bunkers
    • 12.2a/1 Improvement Resulting from Removing Loose Impediment or Movable Obstruction from a Bunker
    • 12.2b/1 Rule 12.2b Applies to a Mound of Sand from an Animal Hole in a Bunker
    • 12.2b/2 Whether Player May Probe in Bunker
    • 12.2b/3 Rule 12.2 Continues to Apply When Player Has Lifted Their Ball from Bunker to Take Relief but Has Not Yet Decided Whether to Take Relief In or Out of Bunker
  • Rule 13 - Putting Greens
    • 13.1 Actions Allowed or Required on Putting Greens
    • 13.2 The Flagstick
    • 13.3 Ball Overhanging Hole
  • Rule 13 - Putting Greens
    • 13.1c(2)/1 Damaged Hole Is Part of Damage on the Putting Green
    • 13.1c(2)/2 Player May Request Help from Committee When Unable to Repair Damage On Putting Green
    • 13.1d(2)/1 Ball Must Be Replaced If It Moves After Placing a Ball to Take Relief
    • 13.1e/1 Deliberately Testing Any Putting Green Is Not Allowed
    • 13.2a(1)/1 Player Has the Right to Leave Flagstick in Position Preceding Group Left It
    • 13.2a(4)/1 Unattended Flagstick Removed Without Player's Authority May Be Replaced
    • 13.2b(1)/1 Player May Make Stroke While Holding Flagstick
    • 13.3a/1 Meaning of Reasonable Time for Player to Reach Hole
    • 13.3b/1 What to Do When Player's Ball Overhanging Hole Moves When Player Removes Flagstick
  • V. Lifting and Returning a Ball to Play (Rule 14)
  • Rule 14 - Procedures for Ball: Marking, Lifting and Cleaning; Replacing on Spot; Dropping in Relief Area; Playing from Wrong Place
    • 14.1 Marking, Lifting and Cleaning Ball
    • 14.2 Replacing Ball on Spot
    • 14.3 Dropping Ball in Relief Area
    • 14.4 When Player's Ball is Back in Play after Original Ball Was Out of Play
    • 14.5 Correcting Mistake Made in Substituting, Replacing, Dropping or Placing Ball
    • 14.6 Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made
    • 14.7 Playing from Wrong Place
  • Rule 14 - Procedures for Ball: Marking, Lifting and Cleaning; Replacing on Spot; Dropping in Relief Area; Playing from Wrong Place
    • 14.1a/1 Marking Ball Correctly
    • 14.1c/1 Player Must Be Careful When Lifted Ball May Not Be Cleaned
    • 14.1c/2 When a Moved Ball May Be Cleaned
    • 14.2b(2)/1 Player Drops Ball When Ball Is to Be Replaced
    • 14.2c/1 Ball May Be Replaced in Almost Any Orientation
    • 14.2c/2 Removal of Loose Impediment from Spot Where Ball to Be Replaced
    • 14.2c/3 Ball Must Not Be Pushed into Ground When Replacing It
    • 14.2d(2)/1 Altered Lie Might Be "Nearest Spot with Lie Most Similar"
    • 14.2e/1 Player Must Take Penalty Relief When Spot Where Ball Will Remain at Rest Is Nearer Hole
    • 14.3b(2)/1 Ball Dropped from Knee Height in Uneven Area
    • 14.3c/1 Relief Area Includes Everything in Relief Area
    • 14.3c/2 Ball May Be Dropped in No Play Zone
    • 14.3c(1)/1 What to Do When Dropped Ball Moves After Coming to Rest Against a Player's Foot or Equipment
    • 14.3c(2)/1 Where to Place Ball Dropped in Right Way Twice in Relief Area with a Bush in It
    • 14.4/1 Placed Ball Is Not in Play Unless There Was Intent to Put It in Play
    • 14.4/2 Test Drops Are Not Allowed
    • 14.5b(1)/1 Player May Change Relief Areas When Dropping Again for Back-On-the-Line Relief
    • 14.5b(1)/2 Player May Change Areas of the Course in the Relief Area When Dropping Again
    • 14.7b/1 Player Gets Penalty for Each Stroke Made from Area Where Play Is Not Allowed
    • 14.7b/2 Ball in Wrong Place If Club Strikes Condition Relief Was Taken From
  • VI. Free Relief (Rules 15-16)
  • Rule 15 - Relief from Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions (including Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play)
    • 15.1 Loose Impediments
    • 15.2 Movable Obstructions
    • 15.3 Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play
  • Rule 15 - Relief from Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions (including Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play)
    • 15.1a/1 Removal of Loose Impediment from Relief Area or Spot Where Ball to Be Dropped, Placed or Replaced
    • 15.3/1 Methods for Moving Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play
    • 15.3a/1 Breach of Rule for Leaving Helping Ball in Place Does Not Require Knowledge
    • 15.3a/2 Players Allowed to Leave Helping Ball in Match Play
  • Rule 16 - Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions), Dangerous Animal Condition, Embedded Ball
    • 16.1 Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions)
    • 16.2 Dangerous Animal Condition
    • 16.3 Embedded Ball
    • 16.4 Lifting Ball to See If It Lies in Condition Where Relief Allowed
  • Rule 16 - Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions), Dangerous Animal Condition, Embedded Ball
    • 16.1/1 Relief from Abnormal Course Condition May Result in Better or Worse Conditions
    • 16.1/2 If Interference by Second Abnormal Course Condition Exists after Complete Relief Taken from First Condition, Further Relief May Be Taken
    • 16.1/3 Player May Choose to Take Relief from Either Condition When Interference by Two Conditions Exists
    • 16.1/4 How to Take Relief When Ball Lies on Elevated Part of Immovable Obstruction
    • 16.1/5 How to Measure Nearest Point of Complete Relief When Ball Underground in Abnormal Course Condition
    • 16.1/6 Player May Wait to Determine Nearest Point of Complete Relief When Ball Is Moving in Water
    • 16.1a(3)/1 Obstruction Interfering with Abnormal Stroke May Not Preclude Player From Taking Relief
    • 16.1a(3)/2 Player May Not Use Clearly Unreasonable Stroke to Get Relief from Condition
    • 16.1a(3)/3 Application of Rule 16.1a(3) When Ball Lies Underground in Animal Hole
    • 16.1b/1 Relief Procedure When Ball Lies in Underground Abnormal Course Condition
    • 16.1c/1 Player Takes Maximum Available Relief; Then Decides to Take Back-on-the-Line Relief
    • 16.1c/2 After Lifting Ball Player May Change Relief Options Before Putting a Ball in Play
    • 16.3a(2)/1 Concluding Whether Ball Is Embedded in Its Own Pitch-mark
    • 16.3b/1 Taking Embedded Ball Relief When Spot Immediately Behind Ball is Not In General Area
  • VII. Penalty Relief (Rules 17-19)
  • Rule 17 - Penalty Areas
    • 17.1 Options for Ball in Penalty Area
    • 17.2 Options After Playing Ball from Penalty Area
    • 17.3 No Relief Under Other Rules for Ball in Penalty Area
  • Rule 17 - Penalty Areas
    • 17.1a/1 Ball Lost in Either Penalty Area or Abnormal Course Condition Adjacent to Penalty Area
    • 17.1d(3)/1 Player May Measure Across Penalty Area In Taking Lateral Relief
    • 17.1d(3)/2 Player Drops Ball Based on Estimate of Where the Ball Last Crossed Edge of Penalty Area That Turns Out to Be the Wrong Point
    • 17.2b/1 Examples of Options for Relief Allowed by Rule 17.2b
  • Rule 18 - Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball
    • 18.1 Relief Under Penalty of Stroke and Distance Allowed at Any Time
    • 18.2 Ball Lost or Out of Bounds: Stroke-and-Distance Relief Must Be Taken
    • 18.3 Provisional Ball
  • Rule 18 - Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball
    • 18.1/1 Teed Ball May Be Lifted When Original Ball Is Found Within Three-Minute Search Time
    • 18.1/2 Penalty Cannot Be Avoided by Playing Under Stroke and Distance
    • 18.2a(1)/1 Time Permitted for Search When Search Temporarily Interrupted
    • 18.2a(1)/2 Caddie Is Not Required to Start Searching for Player's Ball Before Player
    • 18.2a(1)/3 Meaning of "Reasonable Time To Do So" When Identifying Ball
    • 18.2a(2)/1 Ball Moved Out of Bounds by Flow of Water
    • 18.3a/1 When Player May Play Provisional Ball
    • 18.3a/2 Playing Provisional Ball After Search Has Started Is Allowed
    • 18.3a/3 Each Ball Relates Only to the Previous Ball When It Is Played from That Same Spot
    • 18.3b/1 Statements That "Clearly Indicate" That a Provisional Ball Is Being Played
    • 18.3c(1)/1 Actions Taken with Provisional Ball Are a Continuation of Provisional Ball
    • 18.3c(2)/1 Estimated Spot of the Original Ball Is Used to Determine Which Ball Is in Play
    • 18.3c(2)/2 Opponent or Another Player May Search for Player’s Ball Despite the Player’s Request
    • 18.3c(2)/3 When Score with Holed Provisional Ball Becomes the Score for Hole
    • 18.3c(2)/4 Provisional Ball Lifted by Player Subsequently Becomes the Ball in Play
  • Rule 19 - Unplayable Ball
    • 19.1 Player May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area
    • 19.2 Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green
    • 19.3 Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in Bunker
  • Rule 19 - Unplayable Ball
    • 19.2/1 No Guarantee Ball Will Be Playable After Taking Unplayable Ball Relief
    • 19.2/2 Ball May Be Dropped in Any Area of the Course When Taking Unplayable Ball Relief
    • 19.2/3 Stroke-and-Distance Reference Point Does Not Change Until Stroke Is Made
    • 19.2/4 Player May Take Relief Without Penalty If They Lift Ball to Take Unplayable Ball Relief and Discover Ball Was in Ground Under Repair Before Dropping
    • 19.2/5 Player Must Find Ball to Use Back-on-the-Line or Lateral Relief Options
    • 19.2a/1 Player May Take Stroke-and-Distance Relief Even When Spot of Previous Stroke Is Nearer Hole Than Where Ball Lies
    • 19.2a/2 Stroke-and-Distance Relief Is Allowed Only at Spot of the Last Stroke
  • VIII. Procedures for Players and Committee When Issues Arise in Applying the Rules (Rule 20)
  • Rule 20 - Resolving Rules Issues During Round; Rulings by Referee and Committee
    • 20.1 Resolving Rules Issues During Round
    • 20.2 Rulings on Issues Under the Rules
    • 20.3 Situations Not Covered by the Rules
  • Rule 20 - Resolving Rules Issues During Round; Rulings by Referee and Committee
    • 20.1b(2)/1 Request for Ruling Must Be Made in Time
    • 20.1b(2)/2 Ruling Made After Completion of the Final Hole of the Match but Before the Result of the Match Is Final May Result in Players Resuming the Match
    • 20.1b(4)/1 Playing Out Hole with Two Balls Is Not Allowed in Match Play
    • 20.1c(3)/1 No Penalty for Playing a Ball That Was Not in Play When Two Balls Are Being Played
    • 20.1c(3)/2 Player Must Decide to Play Two Balls Before Making Another Stroke
    • 20.1c(3)/3 Player May Lift Original Ball and Drop, Place or Replace It When Playing Two Balls
    • 20.1c(3)/4 Player's Obligation to Complete Hole with Second Ball After Announcing Intention to Do So and Choosing Which Ball Should Count
    • 20.1c(3)/5 Provisional Ball Must Be Used as Second Ball When Uncertain
    • 20.1c(3)/6 Player Allowed to Play One Ball Under Two Different Rules
  • IX. Other Forms of Play (Rules 21-24)
  • Rule 21 - Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play
    • 21.1 Stableford
    • 21.2 Maximum Score
    • 21.3 Par/Bogey
    • 21.4 Three-Ball Match Play
    • 21.5 Other Forms of Playing Golf
  • Rule 21 - Other Forms of Individual Stroke Play and Match Play
    • 21/1 Player May Compete in Multiple Stroke-Play Formats at Same Time
    • 21.4/1 In Three-Ball Match Play Each Player Is Playing Two Distinct Matches
  • Rule 22 - Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot)
    • 22.1 Overview of Foursomes
    • 22.2 Either Partner May Act for Side
    • 22.3 Side Must Alternate in Making Strokes
    • 22.4 Starting the Round
    • 22.5 Partners May Share Clubs
    • 22.6 Restriction on Player Standing Behind Partner When Stroke Made
  • Rule 22 - Foursomes (Also Known as Alternate Shot)
    • 22.3/1 When Playing Again from Teeing Area in Mixed Foursomes Ball Must Be Played from Same Teeing Area
    • 22.3/2 Determining Which Ball Is in Play When Both Partners in Foursomes Tee Off from Same Teeing Area
    • 22.3/3 Player May Not Purposely Miss Ball so Their Partner Can Play
    • 22.3/4 How to Proceed When Provisional Ball Played by Wrong Partner
  • Rule 23 - Four-Ball
    • 23.1 Overview of Four-Ball
    • 23.2 Scoring in Four-Ball
    • 23.3 When Round Starts and Ends; When Hole Is Completed
    • 23.4 One or Both Partners May Represent the Side
    • 23.5 Player's Actions Affecting Partner's Play
    • 23.6 Side's Order of Play
    • 23.7 Partners May Share Clubs
    • 23.8 Restriction on Player Standing Behind Partner When Stroke Made
    • 23.9 When Penalty Applies to One Partner Only or Applies to Both Partners
  • Rule 23 - Four-Ball
    • 23.2a/1 Result of Hole When No Ball Is Correctly Holed Out
    • 23.2b/1 Score for Hole Must Be Identified to the Correct Partner
    • 23.2b/2 Application of Exception to Rule 3.3b(3) for Returning Incorrect Scorecard
    • 23.4/1 Determining Handicap Allowance in Match Play If One Player Unable to Compete
    • 23.6/1 Abandoning Right to Play in Any Order Side Determines Best
    • 23.6/2 Partners Must Not Unreasonably Delay Play When Playing in Advantageous Order
    • 23.6/3 When Side in Match Play May Have Stroke Cancelled by Opponent
    • 23.7/1 Partners May Continue to Give Advice and Share Clubs After Concurrent Match Ends
    • 23.8/1 Application of Penalty When Player Stands on or Close to an Extension of the Line of Play Behind Partner
    • 23.9a(2)/1 Examples of When Player's Breach Helps Partner's Play
    • 23.9a(2)/2 Example of When Player's Breach Hurts Opponent's Play
    • 23.9a(2)/3 Giving Wrong Number of Strokes Taken or Failing to Tell Opponent about Penalty Is Never Considered to Hurt Opponent When Player Is Out of Contention
  • Rule 24 - Team Competitions
    • 24.1 Overview of Team Competitions
    • 24.2 Terms of Team Competition
    • 24.3 Team Captain
    • 24.4 Advice Allowed in Team Competition
  • Rule 24 - Team Competitions
    • 24.4/1 Committee May Establish Limits for Team Captains and Advice Givers
  • X. Modifications for Players with Disabilities (Rule 25)
  • Rule 25 - Modifications for Players with Disabilities
    • 25.1 Overview
    • 25.2 Modifications for Players Who Are Blind
    • 25.3 Modifications for Players Who Are Amputees
    • 25.4 Modifications for Players Who Use Assistive Mobility Devices
    • 25.5 Modifications for Players with Intellectual Disabilities
    • 25.6 General Provisions for All Categories of Disability
  • Definitions
    • 1Abnormal Course Condition
    • 2Advice
    • 3Animal
    • 4Animal Hole
    • 5Areas of the Course
    • 6Ball-Marker
    • 7Boundary Object
    • 8Bunker
    • 9Caddie
    • 10Club-Length
    • 11Committee
    • 12Conditions Affecting the Stroke
    • 13Course
    • 14Drop
    • 15Embedded
    • 16Equipment
    • 17Equipment Rules
    • 18Flagstick
    • 19Four-Ball
    • 20Foursomes (also known as "Alternate Shot")
    • 21General Area
    • 22General Penalty
    • 23Ground Under Repair
    • 24Hole
    • 25Holed
    • 26Honour
    • 27Immovable Obstruction
    • 28Improve
    • 29In Play
    • 30Integral Object
    • 31Known or Virtually Certain
    • 32Lie
    • 33Line of Play
    • 34Loose Impediment
    • 35Lost
    • 36Mark
    • 37Marker
    • 38Match Play
    • 39Maximum Score
    • 40Movable Obstruction
    • 41Moved
    • 42Natural Forces
    • 43Nearest Point of Complete Relief
    • 44No Play Zone
    • 45Obstruction
    • 46Opponent
    • 47Outside Influence
    • 48Out of Bounds
    • 49Par/Bogey
    • 50Partner
    • 51Penalty Area
    • 52Point of Maximum Available Relief
    • 53Provisional Ball
    • 54Putting Green
    • 55Referee
    • 56Relief Area
    • 57Replace
    • 58Round
    • 59Scorecard
    • 60Serious Breach
    • 61Side
    • 62Stableford
    • 63Stance
    • 64Stroke
    • 65Stroke and Distance
    • 66Stroke Play
    • 67Substitute
    • 68Tee
    • 69Teeing Area
    • 70Temporary Water
    • 71Three-Ball
    • 72Wrong Ball
    • 73Wrong Green
    • 74Wrong Place
  • Definitions
    • 1Advice
    • 2Boundary Object
    • 3Club-Length
    • 4Equipment
    • 5Flagstick
    • 6Ground Under Repair
    • 7Holed
    • 8Immovable Obstruction
    • 9Known or Virtually Certain
    • 10Loose Impediment
    • 11Lost
    • 12Movable Obstruction
    • 13Moved
    • 14Nearest Point of Complete Relief
    • 15No Play Zone
    • 16Obstruction
    • 17Outside Influence
    • 18Replace
    • 19Stroke
    • 20Wrong Ball
  • Committee Procedures
    • 1 The Role of the Committee
      • 1A General Play
      • 1B Competitions
    • 2 Course Marking for General Play
      • 2A Out of Bounds
      • 2B Teeing Areas
      • 2C Penalty Areas
      • 2D Bunkers
      • 2E Putting Greens
      • 2F Abnormal Course Conditions
      • 2G No Play Zones
      • 2H Integral Objects
      • 2I Dropping Zones
    • 3 Local Rules for General Play
    • 4 Additional Considerations for General Play
      • 4A Pace of Play and Code of Conduct
      • 4B Suspending Play
      • 4C Providing Rules Support
    • 5 Before the Competition
      • 5A Setting the Terms of the Competition
      • 5B Marking the Course
      • 5C Local Rules
      • 5DEligibility Requirements for Players with Disabilities to use Rule 25
      • 5E Defining Practice Areas
      • 5F Teeing Areas and Hole Locations
      • 5G Draw, Groups and Starting Times
      • 5H Pace of Play Policy
      • 5I Code of Conduct Policy
      • 5J Information for Players and Referees
    • 6 During the Competition
      • 6A Starting
      • 6B The Course
      • 6C Providing Rules Assistance to Players
      • 6D Enforcing Pace of Play
      • 6E Suspensions and Resumptions
      • 6F Scoring
      • 6G Making Cuts; Establishing Draws; Creating New Groups
    • 7 After the Competition
      • 7A Resolving Ties in Stroke Play
      • 7B Finalizing Results
      • 7C Awarding Prizes
      • 7D Rules or Scoring Issues Arising After Competition
    • 8 Model Local Rules
      • 8A Course Boundaries and Out of Bounds
      • 8B Penalty Areas
      • 8C Bunkers
      • 8D Putting Greens
      • 8E Special Relief Procedures
      • 8F Abnormal Course Conditions and Integral Objects
      • 8G Restrictions on Use of Specific Equipment
      • 8H Defining Who May Help or Give Advice to Players
      • 8I Defining When and Where Players May Practise
      • 8J Procedures for Bad Weather and Suspensions of Play
      • 8K Pace of Play Policies
      • 8L Scorecard Responsibilities
      • 8M Model Local Rules for Players With Disabilities
    • 9 Other Forms of Play
      • 9A Modified Stableford
      • 9B Greensomes
      • 9C Scramble
      • 9D Best Two of Four Scores to Count
  • Rules Clarifications