Most Commonly Applied Rules of Golf The Iowa Golf Association
General Points Show consideration to other players Play at a good pace Take care of the course Smooth bunkers Replace divots Fix ball marks
General Points Prepare (your players) for your (their) round Be familiar with Local Rules in effect Put an identification mark on your ball Count your clubs (14 max)
General Points During the round Advice Make sure players and coaches know when they can ask for or give advice In general, players cannot give advice and can only ask for it from coaches Don t hit practice shots
General Points End of round Sign and return scorecard Make sure hole by hole is correct Players are not responsible for addition Make sure you and your marker have signed the card before returning it
THE RULES OF PLAY Tee Shot (Rule 11) You may change your ball prior to teeing off on a hole If you do change golf balls, it is good practice to notify your fellow competitors (not required) Play from between (and not in front of) the tee markers You can go up to two club lengths behind the front line of the markers. SP 2-stroke penalty if you play from outside the teeing ground & must correct the error
Playing the ball If you cannot identify your ball, you may mark it & pick it up to make sure it is yours Make sure you notify your fellow competitors before doing this Play the ball as it lies Don t improve the area around the ball to make it easier to play
Playing the ball If your ball is in a bunker or water hazard, DO NOT Ground your club (2-stroke penalty) Move loose impediments (2-stroke penalty) If you play a wrong ball, 2 stroke penalty and must correct or be DQ d
On the Putting Green You may mark, lift & clean your ball Always replace it on the same spot Fix ball marks & old hole plugs, but not any other damage (spike marks, etc) If playing from the green, make sure the flagstick is removed or attended
Ball at Rest Moved In general, If you accidentally cause your ball to move, or lift it when not permitted Add 1 penalty stoke and Replace the ball If you don t replace, add 2 penalty strokes If the ball moves because of wind, water or gravity, play it where it ends up
Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green (Local Rule) New in 2017 Local Rule Find exact language on USGA.org ON PUTTING GREEN ONLY no penalty if you accidentally cause your ball to move. Put the ball back and play on.
Ball in motion deflected, stopped In general If your ball in motion is deflected or stopped by you or your equipment, you incur 1 penalty stroke and play the ball as it lies If your ball in motion is deflected or stopped by (just about) anything else, there is no penalty and you play the ball as it lies (unless both balls lie on the putting green)
Lifting, Dropping, Placing a ball If you are lifting a ball and it is required to be replaced (putting green), then you are required to mark it (1-stroke). If you are lifting a ball but it is NOT required to be replaced, it is a good idea to mark it, but it is not required.
Drop a ball at shoulder height
Drop a ball at shoulder height
A drop ball must be re-dropped Rolls into a position where there is still interference Rolls more than two-club lengths from where it struck the course Rolls nearer the hole than the reference point NPR, Crossed WH, or Original spot If it does it again, you place
Ball Assisting or Interfering If you think a ball assists, you can lift your ball or have any ball of any player lifted If you agree to leave a ball in a position to assist, both players are disqualified If you think a ball interferes with your play, you can have that ball lifted Cannot clean the ball
Loose Impediments Natural things (twigs, leaves, branches, insects, etc) You can move loose impediments Except in a hazard when your ball is in the same hazard If you re ball moves you are still subject to penalty Unless it occurs on the putting green
Obstructions Movable You move the obstruction If the ball moves, you put it back Immovable You move the ball Find Nearest Point of Relief Not nicest point of relief Drop within a club-length Must take complete relief
Abnormal Ground Conditions You move the ball Same as Immovable Obstruction Find NPR Drop within a club-length Must take complete relief
Water Hazards Water Hazards Marked with 1 option w/o penalty Play ball as it lies 2 options w/1-stroke penalty All the way back to where you last played Drop on the Flagline Keep point it last crossed margin of WH in line with hole (flag) and drop anywhere on that line
Lateral Water Hazards Lateral Water Hazards Marked with Red stakes or lines 1 option w/o penalty Play ball as it lies
Lateral Water Hazards Lateral Water Hazards 4 options w/1-stroke penalty All the way back to where you last played Drop on the Flagline Keep point it last crossed margin of WH in line with hole (flag) and drop anywhere on that line Within two-club lengths of point the ball last crossed margin of LWH Within two-club lengths of spot on the opposite side of LWH equidistant from the hole than where it last crossed the margin of the LWH
Lateral Water Hazard OPTIONS
Ball Lost or Out of Bounds Make sure you know how boundaries are defined for the golf course Typically white stakes and/or lines Many times also includes fences, walls, etc If lost outside a WH or O.B. you play a ball from the previous spot Stroke and distance You are allowed 5 minutes to search Clock starts when you arrive at area
Provisional Ball If you think your ball might be lost outside a water hazard, or Out of Bounds You may play a Provisional Ball Must do so before going forward to search Must announce your intentions At minimum, say the word Provisional
Ball Unplayable If your ball is in a Water Hazard (or LWH) you CANNOT declare your ball unplayable You must proceed under Water Hazard rule Anywhere else on the course you can declare your ball unplayable The player is the sole judge as to whether his/her ball is unplayable
Ball Unplayable OPTIONS Under a 1-stroke penalty you may Go back to where you previously played from Drop on the Flagline Keep point where the ball lay in line with hole (flag) and drop anywhere on that line Within two-club lengths of point the ball lay, no closer to the hole
Ball Unplayable OPTIONS
Doubt as to Procedure What to do when you don t know what to do Play two golf balls Must follow procedure Announce Say which ball you wish to count Report to the Committee
More information on the rules? Usga.org Iowagolf.org Contact the IGA at 515.207.1062