Basic Golf Rules, By The USGA

buzz — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:01:03 +0000

Golf has so many rules and regulations, built over hundreds of years, that a manual was created and is updated regularly, courtesy of the United States Golf Association.

Below are a few basic rules that concern the golf ball when in play:

1. Once the ball makes its way to the putting green, the rules state that you are allowed to mark the its position. The benefits of marking the ball’s spot is so that you can pick it up and clean it thoroughly so as to avoid interfering with your next shot. Second, if your ball is in the same target line of another player’s ball located farther away, picking the ball up will reduce the chance of ruining that player’s putt.

2. Another rule concerning the ball when it hits the putting green is that you must remove the flagstick to avoid a penalty.

3. You must always play your ball from the correct putting green. There may be times when you hit a shot and the ball lands on another hole’s green that is not your own. If this happens, you must pick up the ball and drop it at the nearest location of relief.

Senior Golfers often carry a torn and tattered copy of the rules in their bags. But once in a while, it’s good to get a newer, revised version and retire the older ones to the collectible category on ebay.

I will from time to time print from the latest edition the rules of the game. If you have a question about a particular rule, the first resource AFTER your copy of the rules, is the Professional Golf Instructors at your club.

The latest edition of the Rule Book (USGA) was published Jan 1, 2004 – the next edition will be released on Jan 1, 2008.

You can order one, or get a specific question answered here:

The United States Golf Association
P.O. Box 708
Far Hills, N.J. 07931
908-234-2300
Fax: 908-234-9687

But, what do you do if you’re out on the course and a problem arises. It’s really quite simple…

You pull out your iPhone (TMApple Corp.) and look up the question and get the answer here:

USGA Rules

OR, just use the phone feature and call your Pro!

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Rules: Artificial Obstructions On The Golf Course

buzz — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:48:42 +0000

Artificial obstructions on the golf course are made up of anything man-made that gets in the way of the ball. There are two types of artificial obstructions that you will find; movable obstructions and immovable obstructions.

Movable Obstructions: Movable obstructions can be anything such as a cigarette, a soda can, shovel, food wrappers, etc. These items can be simply removed from the course so that you can play your ball from where it lies. If any of these objects are actually touching the ball, then you are allowed to mark the spot, lift the ball up, remove the item, then put the ball back in the original position.

Immovable Obstructions: The second type of artificial obstruction is known as the immovable type. Such examples include large trailers, sprinkler heads, bleachers, etc. Basically, anything that is too large or heavy to be moved by a golf player is considered an immovable obstruction. If your ball happens to land in or underneath one of these items then you are allowed to move the ball back into play without being penalized.

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Senior Power Golf Blog » Golf Rules

Basic Golf Rules, By The USGA

Rules: Artificial Obstructions On The Golf Course