| Golf is played by hitting a ball using a club on an area | | | | Before playing that all important round of golf, the |
| called "teeing ground." Once the ball is hit, it usually | | | | first thing you should do is to read the local rules |
| travels fairways across and onto a next prepared | | | | stated on the score card you are holding. After which |
| area. A hole could be found in this area that is called | | | | do not forget to place an identifying mark on the ball |
| a "putting green." | | | | you are going to use. Some golfers use the same |
| The objective of the game of golf is that one should | | | | type and brand of golf ball, if in case your ball is |
| be able to complete a hole by means of hitting a ball | | | | placed among these bunch, you will have difficulty |
| from a teeing ground and place it inside the hole of | | | | knowing which is which. |
| the putting green in as little strokes as possible. What | | | | Label which ball is yours is more practical to do. |
| is commonly referred to as a round of golf usually | | | | Make sure that you get to count your clubs before |
| consists of 18 holes to be played in. | | | | actual play. You should have a maximum of fourteen |
| In golf, there are basically two kinds of play to | | | | clubs. |
| choose from. The winner in one kind of play is | | | | When starting actual play, it is best that you tee off |
| determined by the holes that are lost and won, this is | | | | in front of the tee markers. |
| referred to as a match play. | | | | When you tee off a little bit off or outside this |
| The other kind of play is determined by the number | | | | specified area and you are playing a match play, your |
| of strokes one has taken to complete a round. This | | | | opponent may have to ask you to repeat the stroke |
| is called a stroke play. | | | | you just did. The good thing when one does this in a |
| When playing golf, there are basically two relevant | | | | match play, you get to incur no penalty. |
| rules to remember: as you find the course, go play it. | | | | However, if in a stroke play, you then are given a |
| As the ball lies, it should also be played as such. | | | | penalty of two-stroke. You are therefore required to |
| If you find it hard to follow the above rule, at least | | | | play in the appropriate area. |
| try your very best to do what is fair. How do you | | | | If while you are playing and your ball happens to lie in |
| know what is fair? Below are the summarized rules | | | | a bunker or a water hazard, you should not in any |
| to give you a good idea of how to play a good and | | | | way touch the ground of the bunker or the water |
| just game of golf. | | | | before you do your downswing. |
| The Intro: Basic golf courtesy | | | | The ball must as much as possible be struck fairly |
| Avoid moving, talking or standing too close to a | | | | and should neither be spooned or pushed. |
| golfer who is about to make a stroke. | | | | It is okay for you to mark the ball that you are using. |
| Play with a minimum amount of delay. As soon as | | | | You could lift your ball, clean it and place it on the |
| the players in the group that you are in have left, it | | | | exact place where it was. |
| is just as best that you do the same. | | | | When dropping a ball, it is best that you erectly stand |
| Try your best not to play until the group is already | | | | and then hold the ball at the length of your shoulder, |
| out of the way. | | | | and then you may drop it. If by dropping the ball it |
| As much as possible, try to replace the divots. Also, | | | | happens to strike your partner, you or your caddie, |
| do not forget to smooth any footprints found in the | | | | the ball must then be dropped again with no penalty. |
| bunkers. | | | | It is also okay for you to lift your ball if by doing so |
| It is highly inadvisable to drop your clubs on the | | | | you are able to assist another player. Or you also |
| putting green, so don't! | | | | may lift any other ball as long as that ball interferes |
| The Rules of Playing | | | | with your playing or interferes another player. |