Quick answers to the golf rules questions players ask most often.
A plain-English guide to common golf rules for tournament organizers, league players, charity outings, scrambles, and everyday golfers.
This GolfToon page is a practical summary only. For official rulings, always refer to the current Rules of Golf from the USGA and The R&A.
Golf is built around two big ideas: play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. Players are expected to follow the Rules, apply their own penalties, and act with honesty and consideration.
Official reference: Rule 1
If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player normally must take stroke-and-distance relief. That means adding one penalty stroke and playing again from where the previous stroke was made.
A ball is lost if it is not found within the allowed search time. Out of bounds is usually marked by white stakes, boundary fences, or other course-defined boundaries.
Official reference: Rule 18
If a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds, the player may play a provisional ball to save time.
The player should clearly announce that it is a provisional before playing it. If the original ball is found in bounds within the allowed search time, the provisional is abandoned.
Official reference: Rule 18.3
Golf starts with two core ideas: play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. The Rules allow exceptions, but those exceptions need to be followed correctly.
Players are expected to act with integrity, apply their own penalties, play at a prompt pace, care for the course, and show consideration for other players.
Official reference: Rule 1
The Rules divide the course into five areas: the general area, the teeing area, bunkers, penalty areas, and the putting green of the hole being played.
Knowing where the ball lies matters because relief options and restrictions can change depending on the area. For example, bunker rules are different from putting green rules, and penalty area relief is different from free relief.
Official reference: Rule 2
In stroke play, each player competes against the field based on total score. In match play, a player or side competes directly against an opponent by winning, losing, or tying individual holes.
This matters because some penalties and procedures are different. For example, in match play a breach may result in loss of hole, while in stroke play the same breach may be a two-stroke penalty.
Official reference: Rule 3
A gross score is the actual number of strokes taken, including penalty strokes. A net score adjusts the gross score using handicap strokes.
Net scoring allows players of different abilities to compete more fairly. Tournament organizers should clearly state whether prizes, flights, skins, or leaderboards are based on gross, net, or both.
Official reference: Rule 3.1c
In stroke play, the marker records the playerâs hole scores. After the round, the player should check the hole scores, make sure the marker certifies them, certify the scorecard, and return it to the Committee.
A score returned higher than the actual score normally stands. A score returned lower than the actual score can result in disqualification unless a Rules exception applies.
Under the 2023 Rules, the Committee is responsible for adding scores and calculating handicap strokes unless a Local Rule says otherwise.
Official reference: Rule 3.3b
In regular stroke play, a player must hole out on every hole. If they fail to hole out and do not correct the mistake in time, they are disqualified.
Some formats, such as Stableford, Maximum Score, scrambles, or casual outings, may use modified scoring where players can pick up after reaching a maximum score or after the team score is complete.
Official reference: Rule 3.3c and Rule 21
Every hole starts from the teeing area defined by the tee markers. A player may tee the ball anywhere within the teeing area and may stand outside the teeing area while making the stroke.
In stroke play, playing from outside the correct teeing area results in a two-stroke penalty and the mistake must be corrected before teeing off on the next hole.
Official reference: Rule 6.1 and Rule 6.2
If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player normally must take stroke-and-distance relief. This means adding one penalty stroke and playing another ball from where the previous stroke was made.
Out of bounds is usually marked by white stakes, fences, roads, or boundaries defined by the Committee.
Official reference: Rule 18.2
Players are allowed to take reasonable actions to find and identify their ball. Grass, bushes, branches, leaves, and loose material may be moved as part of a fair search.
The search period is three minutes. If the ball is not found and identified within that time, it is lost.
Official reference: Rule 7
If a ball may be lost outside a penalty area or may be out of bounds, the player may play a provisional ball to save time.
Before playing it, the player should clearly announce that it is a provisional ball. Simply saying "I'm hitting another one" is often not enough.
If the original ball is found in bounds within three minutes, the provisional ball must be abandoned. If the original is lost or out of bounds, the provisional becomes the ball in play.
Official reference: Rule 18.3
A player must not make a stroke at a wrong ball. A wrong ball is any ball other than the player's ball in play.
In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes and the player must correct the mistake by playing the correct ball.
If the mistake is not corrected before the next tee or before the scorecard is returned on the final hole, the player is disqualified.
Official reference: Rule 6.3c
Golf is intended to be played at a prompt pace. Players should be ready to play when it is their turn and avoid unnecessary delays.
In stroke play, "ready golf" is encouraged. Players may play out of turn when it is safe and helps keep the round moving.
The Rules recommend making a stroke in approximately 40 seconds or less once it is the player's turn and they are ready to play.
Official reference: Rule 5.6 and Rule 6.4
Free relief is available when a ball is affected by certain abnormal course conditions such as cart paths, sprinkler heads, ground under repair, or temporary water.
Relief is normally taken by finding the nearest point of complete relief and dropping within one club-length of that point, not nearer the hole.
Relief is generally not available simply because a tree, bush, hill, or poor lie makes the shot difficult.
Official reference: Rule 16
Penalty areas are usually marked with red or yellow stakes or lines and often include lakes, ponds, creeks, drainage channels, and environmentally sensitive areas designated by the Committee.
A player may play the ball as it lies inside a penalty area if desired.
If relief is taken, it normally costs one penalty stroke.
Official reference: Rule 17
A player may declare their ball unplayable almost anywhere on the course except inside a penalty area.
The player alone decides whether a ball is unplayable.
Official reference: Rule 19
A bunker is a specially prepared area intended to test a player's ability to play from sand.
Players may remove loose impediments and movable obstructions from a bunker.
Before making a stroke, a player may not deliberately test the condition of the sand or touch the sand immediately behind or immediately in front of the ball with a club.
Official reference: Rule 12
If a ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area, free relief is normally available.
The player may lift the ball and drop within one club-length of the spot directly behind where the ball was embedded, not nearer the hole.
Official reference: Rule 16.3
If a ball moves because of natural forces such as wind or water, it is usually played from its new position.
If a player accidentally causes their ball to move, the ball generally must be replaced and a penalty may apply depending on the situation.
Special exceptions apply on the putting green where accidental movement is often penalty-free.
Official reference: Rule 9
A player may not play a ball from a wrong green.
If a ball lies on another hole's putting green, or the player's stance or swing is interfered with by that green, free relief must be taken.
Official reference: Rule 13.1f
The putting green is one of the most player-friendly areas under the Rules. Players may mark, lift, clean, and replace their ball, repair damage, and remove sand or loose soil before putting.
Modern Rules allow players to repair ball marks, spike marks, shoe damage, scrapes, indentations, and many other forms of damage on the putting green.
Official reference: Rule 13.1
Players may repair damage caused by golf balls, shoes, flagsticks, maintenance equipment, animals, and other outside influences.
Repairs should restore the putting surface as closely as possible to its original condition.
Players may not create a path to the hole or make improvements beyond normal repair.
Official reference: Rule 13.1c
A player may mark the ball, lift it, clean it, and replace it on its original spot while on the putting green.
The spot should be marked before lifting the ball, usually with a coin or ball marker.
Official reference: Rule 13.1b and Rule 14
Players may leave the flagstick in the hole or have it removed before putting.
Since the 2019 Rules modernization, there is no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits a flagstick left in the hole.
The choice belongs entirely to the player.
Official reference: Rule 13.2
If the flagstick has been left in the hole and a putt strikes it, there is normally no penalty.
The ball is simply played from wherever it comes to rest.
Official reference: Rule 13.2a
If a ball is overhanging the hole, the player is allowed enough time to reach the hole plus an additional ten seconds to see whether it falls in.
If it falls in during that time, it counts as holed with the previous stroke.
If it falls in after the waiting period, the ball is holed but one penalty stroke is added.
Official reference: Rule 13.3
If a player accidentally causes a ball or ball marker to move on the putting green, there is generally no penalty.
The ball simply must be replaced on its original spot.
Official reference: Rule 13.1d
Players may inspect the putting green, view their line from different angles, and use information they observe themselves.
However, players generally may not ask competitors for advice regarding line, speed, break, club selection, or strategy.
Advice may be received from a caddie or partner when the format allows.
Official reference: Rule 10.2
Cart paths are usually immovable obstructions. If a cart path interferes with your lie, stance, or intended swing, free relief is normally available.
Relief is taken from the nearest point of complete relief, not the nicest point of relief.
Official reference: Rule 16.1
Sprinkler heads, yardage markers, drain boxes, valve boxes, and similar fixed objects are usually immovable obstructions.
Free relief is generally available when they interfere with the lie, stance, or intended swing.
Official reference: Rule 16.1
Tree roots by themselves generally do not provide free relief under the Rules of Golf.
Unless the Committee has adopted a Local Rule, a ball near roots must normally be played as it lies or declared unplayable.
Local Rule may apply
Temporary water is any accumulation of water visible before or after taking a stance.
If temporary water interferes with the lie, stance, or intended swing, free relief is normally available.
Official reference: Rule 16.1
A player generally may not move, bend, or break growing branches, bushes, or other attached natural objects to improve a shot.
Players are allowed to take a reasonable stance and access the ball, but they are not entitled to create a better shot.
Official reference: Rule 8
Generally, no.
Players may not improve the lie of the ball, intended stance area, intended swing area, line of play, or relief area.
Actions such as pressing grass down, moving branches, improving a divot, or altering the ground can result in penalty.
Official reference: Rule 8
Yes. If your ball is in a penalty area, you may stand in the penalty area and play the ball as it lies, as long as the ball is still on the course.
A ball that is out of bounds is different. It may not be played from out of bounds and normally requires stroke-and-distance relief.
Official reference: Rule 17 and Rule 18
Yes.
Loose impediments may be removed from bunkers without penalty.
This includes stones, pine cones, leaves, twigs, and similar loose natural objects.
Official reference: Rule 12.2a
In most situations, there is no penalty when a ball in motion accidentally hits another ball at rest.
One important exception exists in stroke play when both balls were on the putting green before the stroke. In that situation, the player who made the stroke receives a two-stroke penalty.
Official reference: Rule 11.1
If a ball in motion accidentally hits the player, their equipment, another player, a cart, or most outside influences, there is generally no penalty.
The ball is usually played from wherever it comes to rest.
Official reference: Rule 11.1
Advice is information that could influence a player's decision about a stroke, club selection, strategy, line, or method of play.
Players generally may not ask competitors for advice during a round.
Public information such as yardages, rules information, locations of hazards, and visible course features may be shared.
Official reference: Rule 10.2
Golf equipment must conform to the Rules of Golf. Players are responsible for ensuring their clubs and golf balls are legal for competition.
The Rules place limits on clubs, balls, training aids, and other equipment that could provide an unfair advantage.
Official reference: Rule 4
A player may not start or continue a round with more than 14 clubs.
Players may start with fewer than 14 clubs and add clubs during the round up to the limit, provided they do not cause delay and do not borrow clubs from another player.
Official reference: Rule 4.1
Distance measuring devices are generally allowed under the Rules.
Players may obtain yardages and directional information using GPS devices or laser rangefinders.
Devices that calculate elevation adjustments, recommend clubs, analyze swings, or provide prohibited assistance may not be allowed.
Official reference: Rule 4.3
If a club is damaged during normal play and not through abuse, players may generally continue using it, repair it, or replace it.
Clubs damaged through anger, abuse, or intentional misconduct are treated differently under the Rules.
Official reference: Rule 4.1a
Listening to music is generally permitted unless a Committee or Local Rule prohibits it.
However, music may not be used in a way that helps with swing tempo, concentration, or otherwise provides assistance prohibited by the Rules.
Official reference: Rule 4.3
Practice rules depend on the format and the Committee's Terms of Competition.
In many stroke play events, practice on the competition course before a round is restricted. Practice during the round is also limited.
Players may normally putt or chip near the green they just completed, provided they do not delay play.
Official reference: Rule 5.2 and Rule 5.5
Many GolfToon events use modified formats that build on the Rules of Golf. These formats may change how scoring works while still using the Rules for most on-course situations.
GolfToon helps organizers manage tournaments, leagues, outings, and golf events using customizable formats and scoring systems.
Event organizers may adopt Local Rules, pace-of-play policies, maximum-score limits, scramble procedures, handicap adjustments, and other competition rules.
Players should always review the event information provided by the organizer before play begins.
A provisional ball is a second ball played when your original ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds. You must announce it as provisional before hitting it.
Usually, yes. If a cart path interferes with your lie, stance, or swing, you normally get free relief at the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole.
If your ball is lost, you normally take stroke-and-distance relief: add one penalty stroke and play again from where the previous stroke was made.
Out of bounds is normally stroke and distance. Add one penalty stroke and replay from the previous spot.
Yes. Loose impediments, including stones, leaves, twigs, and pine cones, may be removed from a bunker.
You may not ground your club directly in front of or behind the ball, test the sand, touch the sand on a practice swing, or touch the sand on your backswing.
A player may decide their ball is unplayable almost anywhere except in a penalty area. Relief options normally cost one penalty stroke.
Yes. If your ball is in a penalty area, you may stand in the penalty area and play the ball as it lies, as long as the ball is still on the course.
This does not apply to a ball that is out of bounds. A ball that is out of bounds may not be played and normally requires stroke-and-distance relief.
Yes. A player may stand out of bounds and make a stroke at a ball that is in bounds. The Rules are based on where the ball lies, not where the player stands.
Yes. There is normally no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits the flagstick left in the hole.
You are allowed reasonable time to reach the hole plus ten more seconds. If it falls after that, it counts as holed with one penalty stroke added.
There is generally no penalty. Replace the ball on its original spot.
Yes. You may repair most damage on the putting green, including ball marks, spike marks, shoe damage, and flagstick damage.
In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes and you must correct the mistake by playing the correct ball.
Usually no, unless the Committee has adopted a Local Rule. Otherwise, you may play it as it lies or declare the ball unplayable.
Distance-measuring devices are generally allowed, but features like slope, club recommendation, or prohibited assistance may not be allowed in competition.
A player may carry no more than 14 clubs during a round.
You may always clean your ball when it is lifted from the putting green. Elsewhere, cleaning depends on why the ball was lifted.
In stroke play, ready golf is allowed and encouraged when it is safe and responsible.
Golf rules can be complicated. If you're running a tournament, league, outing, or scramble and need help applying a rule, contact GolfToon Support.
Contact SupportThis page is intended as a plain-English educational summary and quick reference guide.
It is not a substitute for the official Rules of Golf published by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A.
In any competition, the official Rules of Golf, Local Rules, Terms of Competition, and Committee decisions govern.
When a ruling matters, consult the official Rules or a qualified Rules official.
