For more information on the rules of golf, please visit rules. The object of the game of disc golf is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest throws of the disc. Fundamentals of the game rules 14 rule 1 the game, player conduct and the rules. This is the full rules of golf, the primary rules resource for officials. We also provide answers to the most asked questions in the golfing faq guide. Easy guide to the etiquette and rules of golf is not the official rules of golf.
Two million copies of the players edition will be distributed in the united states and its territories and mexico by the usga. Quick reference is the worlds best selling golf book. The usga promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. Sign in this concise booklet, updated in 2016, outlines everything you need to know to stage a usga style event. Golf rules in brief a summary for all novice,semipro and. Click here to view a pdf of the new rules of golf for 2019. In local qualifying, sectional qualifying and in the championship proper, the players clubs must conform to the groove specifications in the rules of golf that are effective from january 1, 2010. Golfs governing bodies unveil new rules proposal pgatour.
The governing bodies are teaming up to create one set of worldwide rules that are easier to understand. Usga members, please sign in to receive your member discount. Sale 50% off this 72page booklet is an update to the original version of the principles behind the rules of golf, according to the current rules book and interpretations. The 10 best proposed new golf rule changes from the usga. The process began six years ago when the two groups began to analyze the rules and an agreement was finally reached this year. Rule 1 introduces these central principles of the game for the player.
Suppose you had to start from scratch, with no previous rules to help you and with only your experience in playing the game to guide you. Between the play of two holes and without unduly delaying play, the player takes the putter out of his bag and replaces it with another. Usga announces 2018 executive committee nominations. Navy canvas cover for the official guide to the rules of golf. Golf canada also publishes the official rules of golf and. The usga anticipates taking final action on the proposed rule in spring 20.
Highlights in the development of the usga rules of golf. If youre new to the game, learning all the rules can be overwhelming at first. When taking relief from an abnormal course condition or penalty area, for example, golfers will now drop from knee height. See what the usga is doing to ensure a strong future for the game. The players edition of the rules of golf, effective january 2019. Golf canada suite 133 dorval drive, oakville, ontario l6m 4x7 tel.
The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest throws plus penalty throws is the winner. The rules of golf, effective january 2019 usga publications. Explore the major changes introduced in the 2019 rules. Anyone wishing to submit comments or questions is encouraged to do so by february 28, 20. The official guide to the rules of golf, effective january 2019. It is intended to give rules officials and players with an interest in the rules an understanding of the principles underlying the rules. Teeing ground the starting place for the hole, defined by two teemarkers through the green the whole area of the golf course except the teeing ground, the putting green of the hole being played and all hazards hazards any bunker or water hazard.
It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those who love and play it. It acts in the best interests of the game for the continued enjoyment of those. Andrews, scotland, and the usga govern the sport of golf worldwide, operating. The rules of golf consist of a standard set of regulations and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played and prescribe penalties for rule infractions. It covers course preparation and marking, pairings, scoring, local rules, referees, weather problems and much more. As a supporting stateregional golf association srga, the scga administers the rules of golf and amateur status in the state of south carolina. Each hole starts with a stroke from the teeing area and ends when the ball. The full text of the new rules of golf can be found below. The numbers in parentheses indicate the applicable rules numbers. Putting green an area specially prepared for putting and. Usga executive director suppose you were called upon to write a code of rules for playing golf. But thomas pagel, the usgas senior director of the rules of golf, says that incident was not the catalyst for the new decision. It contains all the playing rules and full definitions of terms used throughout the rules.
Rule is a very unsophisticated rule that says you have to play by the rules, and if you decide and agree with someone not to play by the rules, that it and of itself is a violation of rules, and you will not be. Golf canada also publishes the official rules of golf and rules of amateur status which may be purchased by ordering online at. Lilley brook golf club in cheltenham, gloucestershire. In this competition, a player may use a device to measure distance only. Usga releases 2019 rules of golf book and publications. The major proposed changes in the new rules of golf for 2019 the purpose of this chart is to identify the main proposed changes to the rules of golf in one place for ease of reference. This was out of recognition that in trying to make the rules more fair, they became too complicated, said thomas pagel, the. A player who started the stipulated round with 14 clubs is putting poorly. Founded in 1899, the csga is the countrys oldest state golf association and, as an allied golf association of the usga, provides stewardship for amateur golf in connecticut. In addition to administering handicaps for over 40,000 members at 181 member clubs, the csga conducts more than 85 days of competition throughout the year for golfers of. View a list of clarifications of the 2019 rules of golf. The list of conforming golf balls is available from the usga and is updated on a. Golf is played in a round of 18 or fewer holes on a course by striking a ball with a club. Play from the relief area based on where your previous.
Highlights in the development of the usga rules of golf, 18952008 originally published in 2011 by the usga in when the united states golf association was founded in december 1894, it was for the purposes of promoting the interests of the game of golf, to promulgate a code of rules for the. Learning the basics for beginners if you enjoy playing golf, you are aware that there are a number of golf rules that one should adhere to. February, 1953 some principles behind the rules of golf by joseph c. These are the changes expected to have the most impact on the game and to be of most interest to golfers and those who follow the game.
A look at the major changes to the rules of golf for 2019. Measure the area to drop in with the longest club in your bag. Golf is a complicated game but its still meant to be enjoyed. The penalty for a breach of the condition is disqualification. Terminology, as listed in index to 201617 decisions on the rules of golf 1. You will find a concise list of keywords and phrases in the golf terminology az section. Sign in allied golf associations, golf courses or educational institutions can receive preferred pricing by clicking on the sign inregister link above. To assist you in your preparation for this workshop, you will receive. Golf faces challenges and opportunities that are vital to its longterm health. To enable acceptable scores made at any rated golf course in the world to be submitted for handicap purposes.
In an average round, a golfer may encounter any number of movable and immovable obstructions, and without a good grasp of the usga rules in relation to relief from these obstructions, they may end up tacking on unnecessary strokes when attempting to pick up and replace their golf ball. So while we tend to think of etiquette as the unspoken rules in golf, the usga obviously has a lot to say about it. Strokes allowed and disallowed by proposed rule 141b q. Explore the players edition, full rules, and official guide. Obstructions on the golf course can be a cause for anxiety, frustration and, oftentimes, unwanted added strokes. If a player is going to play when someone else is further from. A fundamental principle of golf is to play the ball as it lies. Introduction golf is a game in which a ball is struck with a club from a prepared area, known as the teeing ground, across fairway and rough to a second prepared area, which has a hole in it, known as the putting green. The usga handicap system is utilized in more than 40 countries and our course rating system covers 95 percent of the worlds golf courses, enabling all golfers to play on an equitable basis. List of conforming golf balls it is a condition in usga championships that only brands of golf balls on this list may be used. The definition of golf terms, which well discuss in a separate post, is section 2. The rules of golf for 2019 united states golf association. The rules of golf are constantly evolving, said thomas pagel, usga senior director of the rules of golf.
A ball is in a hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the hazard. Explanation for each major change in the new rules of. Golfs two governing bodies dropped a set of 30 changes that. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a. The portable document format may be useful once you are familiar with the basic version. Play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. Pros approve as these 30 proposed changes would modernize.
Learn more about how the rules apply to players with disabilities. Golf tutors and coaches may find it easier to study the key elements in the pdf rules book. Order the players edition, full rules andor the official guide. Perhaps the most ridiculous of all the ridiculous rules of golf is right there in its very first rule. Play on each hole begins at the teeing area and ends at the target.