Copyright © 1995;2000 Multicultural Golf Association of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 1081 ~ Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Tel. (631) 288-8255
SECTION 2 - THE RULES OF GOLF
This section will go over all the rules of golf.
THE GAME
Rule 1. The Game
1-1. General
The Game of Golf consists in playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with Rules.
1-2. Exerting Influence on Ball
No player or caddie shall take any action to influence the position or the movement of a ball except in accordance with the Rules.
Penalty For Breach of Rule 1-2:
Match play --> Loss of Hole; Stroke play --> Two strokes.
1-3. Agreement to Waive Rules
Players shall not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty incurred.
Penalty For Breach of Rule 1-3:
Match play --> Disqualification of both sides; Stroke play --> Disqualify of competitors.
1-4. Points Not Covered by Rules
If any point in dispute is not covered by the Rules, the decision shall be made in accordance with equity.
Rule 2. MATCH PLAY
2-1. Winner of Hole; Reckoning of Holes
In match play the game is played by holes. Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, a hole is won by the side which holes its ball in the fewer strokes. In a handicap match the lower net score wins the hole.
The reckoning of holes is kept by the terms: so many "holes up" or "all square," and so many "to play." A side is "dormie" when it is as many holes up as there are holes remaining to be played.
2-2. Halved Hole
A hole is halved if each side holes out in the same number of strokes. When a player has holed out and his opponent has been left with a stroke for the half, if the player thereafter incurs a penalty, the hole is halved.
2-3. Winner of Match
A match is won by the side which is leading by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining to be played. (The Committee may, for the purpose of settling a tie, extend the stipulated round to as many holes as are required for a match to be won.)
2-4. Concession of Next Stroke, Hole or Match
When the opponent's ball is at rest or is deemed to be at rest under Rule 16-2, the player may concede the opponent to have holed out with his next stroke and the ball may be removed by either side with a club or otherwise. A player may concede a hole or a match at any time prior to the conclusion of the hole or match. Concession of a stroke, hole or match may not be declined or withdrawn.
2-5. Claims
In match play, if a doubt or dispute arises between the players and no duly authorized representative of the Committee is available within a reasonable time, the players shall continue the match without delay. Any claim, if it is to be considered by the Committee, must be made before any player in the match plays from the next teeing ground or in the case of the last hole of the match, before all players in the match leave the putting green.
No later claim shall be considered unless it is based on facts previously unknown to the player making the claim and the player making the claim had been given wrong information by an opponent. In any case, no later claim shall be considered after the result of the match has been officially announced, unless the Committee is satisfied that the opponent knew he was giving wrong information.
2-6. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a rule in match play is loss of hole except when otherwise provided.
Rule 3. STROKE PLAY
3-1. Winner
The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest strokes wins.
3-2. Failure to Hole Out
If a competitor fails to hole out as any hole and does not correct his mistake before he plays a stroke from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the round, before he leaves the putting green, he shall be disqualified.
3-3. Doubt as to Procedure
a. Procedure
In stroke play only, when during play of a hole a competitor is doubtful of his rights or procedure, he may, without penalty, play a second ball. After the situation which caused the doubt has arisen, the competitor should, before taking further action, announce to his marker or a fellow-competitor his decision to invoke this Rule and the ball with which he will score if the Rules permit.
The competitior shall report the facts to the Committee before returning his score card unless he scores the same with both balls; if he fails to do so, he shall be disqualified.b. Determination of Score for Hole
If the Rules allow the procedure selected in advance by the competitor, the score with the ball selected shall be his score for the hole.
If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision to invoke this Rule or his selection, the score with the original ball or, if the original ball is not one of the balls being played, the first ball put into play shall count if the Rules allow the procedure adopted for such ball.
3-4. Refusal to Comply with a Rule
If a competitor refuses to comply with a Rule affecting the rights of another competitor, he shall be disqualified.
3-5. General Penalty
The penalty for a breach of a Rule in stroke play is two strokes except when otherwise provided.
Rule 4. CLUBS
A player in doubt as to the conformity of a club should consult the U.S.G.A.
4-1. Form and Make of Clubs
A club is an implement designed to be used for striking the ball.
A putter is a club with a loft not exceeding ten degrees designed primarily for use on the putting green.
The player's clubs shall conform with the provisions of this Rule and with the specifications and interpretations set forth in Appendix II.
a. General
The club shall be composed of a shaft and a head. All parts of the club shall be fixed so that the club is one unit. The club shall not be disigned to be adjustable except for weight. The club shall not be substantially different from the traditional and customary form and make, and shall have no external attachments except as otherwise permitted by the Rules.
b. Shaft
The shaft shall be straight, with the same bending and twisting properties in any direction, and shall be attached to the clubhead at the heel either directly or through a single plain neck and/or socket. A putter shaft may be attached to any point in the head.
c. Grip
The grip consists of that part of the shaft designed to be held by the player and any material added to it for the purpose of obtaining a firm hold. The grip shall be straight and plain in form, shall extend to the end of the shaft and shall not be molded for any part of the hands.
d. Clubhead
The distance from the heel to the toe of the clubhead shall be greater than the distance from the face to the back. The clubhead shall be generally plain in shape. The clubhead shall have only one striking face, except that a putter may have two such faces if their characteristics are the same, and they are opposite each other.
e. Club Face
The face of the club shall be hard and rigid (some exceptions may be made for putters) and, except for such markings as are permitted by Appendix II, shall be smooth and shall not have any degree of concavity.
f. Wear and Alteration
A club which conforms with Rule 4-1 when new is deemed to conform after war through normal use. Any part of a club which has been purposely altered is regarded as new and must conform, in the altered state, with the Rules.
g. Damage
If a player's club ceases to conform with Rule 4-1 because of damage sustained in the normal course of play, the player may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state, but only for the remainder of the stipulated round during which such damage was sustained; or
(ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it.
A club which ceases to conform because of damage sustained other than in the normal course of play shall not subsequently be used during the round. (MGAA Note: In other words, if you hit your club against a tree and bend the shaft out of anger; that club does not conform any more and must be taken out of play.)
4-2. Playing Characteristics Changed
During a stipulated round, the playing characteristics of a club shall not be purposely changed by adjustment or by any other means.
If the playing characteristics of a player's club are changed during a round because of damage sustained in the normal couse of play, the player may:
(i) use the club in its damaged state, but only for the remainder of the stipulated round during which such damage was sustained; or
(ii) without unduly delaying play, repair it.
If the playing characteristics of a player's club are changed because of damage sustained other than in the normal couse of play, the club shall not subsequently be used during the round. Damage to a club which occurred prior to a round may be repaired during the round, provided the playing characteristics are not changed and play is not unduly delayed.
4-3. Foreign Material
Foreign material must not be applied to the club face for the purpose of influencing the movement of the ball.
Penalty For Breach of Rule 4-1, 4-2 or 4-3: Disqualification.
4-4. Maximum of Fourteen Clubs
a. SELECTION AND REPLACEMENT OF CLUBS
The player shall start a stipulated round with not more than fourteen clubs. He/She is limited to the clubs thus selected for that round except that, without unduly delaying play, he/she may:
(i) if started with fewer than fourteen clubs, add any number provided his total number does not exceed fourteen; and
(ii) replace, with any club, a club which becomes unfit for play in the normal course of play.
The addition or replacement of a club or clubs may not be made by borrowing any club selected for play by any other person playing on the course.
b. Partners May Share Clubs
Partners may share clubs, provided that the total number of clubs carried by the partners so sharing does not exceed fourteen.
Penalty For Breach of Rule 4-4a or b: ---- Regardless of Number of Excess Clubs Carried:
Match play - At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match shall be adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurered. Maximum deduction per round: two holes.
Stroke play - Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occured; maximum penalty per round: four strokes.
Bogey and par competitions - Penalties as in match play.
c. Excess Club Declared Out of Play
Any club carred or used in breach of this Rule shall be declared out of play by the player immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred and thereafter shall not be used by the player during the round.
Penalty For Breach of Rule 4-4c
Disqualification.
Copyright © 1995;2000 Multicultural Golf Association of America, Inc.
P.O. Box 1081 ~ Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
Tel. (631) 288-8255
