Rule 1: The Basics: Play Golf Fairly and with Respect
What this is about
This rule explains the foundation of golf. You play the course as you find it. Hit the ball from where it lies. Follow the rules and be a good sport.
What you need to do
- Play the ball exactly as it lies at rest. This is the main rule, unless another rule allows otherwise.
- Apply your own penalty strokes. If you break a rule, give yourself the penalty honestly. This prevents an unfair advantage.
- Always act in the spirit of the game. Play at a good pace and pay attention to safety. Repair any damage you cause to the course.
- Shout "Fore!" when a shot could be dangerous. This warns others in time.
- Serious misconduct can lead to disqualification. This means being removed from the competition. This also applies if you deliberately ignore penalties.
Common mistake
A beginner often thinks it's okay to move the ball a little bit. For example, if it lies just behind a small twig. This is against the rules, though. You must play the ball as it lies. Otherwise, you'll get penalty strokes.
Example
Your ball comes to rest in the bunker. It lies right next to a loose stone. You want to remove the stone before your stroke. This isn't allowed under the rules. You must play the ball as it lies.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
1.1 The game of golf
Golf is played over a round of 18 holes on a course. Each hole begins with a stroke from the teeing area and ends when the ball has come to rest in the hole on the putting green (holed out). For every stroke, you play the course as you find it and the ball as it lies, unless the Rules allow an exception. The game can be played as match play (hole by hole against an opponent) or as stroke play (total number of strokes over the round).
1.2 Standards of Conduct
1.2a Expected behaviour of all players
All players are expected to act in the spirit of the game. This means: playing fairly, showing consideration for others, taking good care of the course, and playing at a good pace. Behaviour that doesn't fit the spirit of the game includes: not showing up on time, playing unnecessarily slowly, deliberately damaging the course, being disrespectful towards others, and ignoring the Rules. A player who acts against the spirit of the game can be disqualified by the Committee.
1.2b Code of Conduct
The Committee may adopt a code of conduct as a local rule. Penalties for breaching the code of conduct can range from a warning to disqualification. These are separate from the penalties in the Rules.
1.3 Playing by the Rules
1.3a Meaning of "Rules"; Terms of Competition
The "Rules" include the 25 Rules of Golf, but also the terms of competition set by the Committee for a competition. The terms of competition can include local rules that deviate from or add to the Rules of Golf.
1.3b Applying the Rules
You're responsible for applying the Rules correctly yourself. In match play, you and your opponent may agree on how to resolve a rules issue, as long as you don't knowingly agree to waive a Rule. In stroke play, if you're unsure about the correct ruling, you must play two balls and refer the matter to the Committee.
1.3c Penalties
Penalties exist to remove any advantage a player might gain from breaking a rule. There are three levels of penalty: (1) one penalty stroke, (2) the general penalty (two penalty strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play), and (3) disqualification. If a player breaks a rule before correcting the action, they can sometimes avoid the penalty by fixing the mistake in time.