The Rules of Golf

Who administers them?

Only comparatively recently in the history of the game have the rules been 'standardised' across regional and national borders. The official body responsible for the rules is formed of representatives of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in Scotland (R & A) and the US Golf Association (USGA).

How are they administered?

New rules of golf are issued every 4 years (subject to need), the next set are due in 2012. However, the rules committee may be called upon for a 'decision' that affects the rules, and the results of these decisions are published. (see the web sites at USGA website and R and A website for a list of current decisions). Every 4 years it Is decided whether the rules themselves require to be updated as a result of these cumulative decisions.

Introduction to The Rules of Golf

For a relatively uncomplicated game, where the principle is to knock a ball into a distant hole and repeat the exercise up to 17 times, golf does have a large and seemingly complex rulebook. In fact, the rules of golf are one of the most discussed subjects on the planet, and new situations always seem to arise which cause the ruling bodies to issue considered 'decisions' on the rules. These are eventually incorporated into the rules of the game.

Golf prides itself on being an honourable game, and depends to a very large extent on the honesty and integrity of the players themselves. It is a common occurrence on golf courses to hear a player admit to a transgression of the rules and accept the necessary penalty for their sin! Sadly, this is not always the case, and the rules were largely put in place to prevent cheating and other unseemly behaviour! On occasions, the rules may seem unnecessarily harsh, for example, a 2-stroke penalty (in medal play) for a ball striking the flagstick on the way into a hole - but it does not take too much imagination to understand why such rules were introduced in the first place!

Rules are rules, and there are even penalties for players agreeing to waive them. But remember, the most important element of all is the 'spirit' of the game and the way in which it is played. The following section covers the main areas of etiquette on the golf course, definitions used, and the rules themselves. These are extracted from the rules of golf, as defined by the US Golf Association in conjunction with the R & A of St Andrews in Scotland. It is for guidance only. If you require a full definition of the rules, for example, to settle a dispute over a situation arising in a game you were involved in, you must refer to the full "rules of golf" available at the USGA website or at the R and A website

The Rules of Golf consist primarily of the following:

Section 1: Etiquette
Section 2: Definitions
Section 3: The Rules of Play

In addition, there are provisions for "Local Rules" These are set by the Committee/Council of a Club and are intended to cover specific local situations such as roads or streams that cross the course. They will normally be found on the scorecard of the course in question. You can see a full version of the rules, as well as decisions of the sports governing bodies by clicking here

There are also a number of Appendices, covering, as an example, club design.