Author: Brian Kendall

Article:
The game of golf was acknowledged in 1744, designed by the
Company of Gentlemen Golfers in Edinburgh. Over the years, the
rules have expanded so much so that the USGA needed a book to
keep them all straight. It covers over 500 pages of rules and
decisions; here we will highlight the most basic of them all to
get you started.

When playing golf, your goal is sink your ball in a hole a
couple hundred yards from where you start. The player that does
this with the least number of strokes wins. Sounds fairly
simple, right? In essence, but there are rules to every game,
and to be declared the victor, you must adhere to them very
strictly in the game of golf.

How to and not to Tee Off

Always tee off behind or between the tee-markers, leaving two
club-lengths of space. Never tee off in front of the tee-marker.

It Came from Outer Space - Ball Interference

Don't stop or divert your ball while it's moving, unless you
want to forfeit two strokes. If your ball is interfered by
another player, you must play it as it lies. If however, it's
struck by another ball, what's that old saying? Que Sera, Sera,
whatever will be, will be! But if you're both on the putting
green, that too will cost you a forfeit of two strokes.

How to get the Most Out of an Impossible Shot

I'm sure you'd like to give yourself the best possible opening
for a shot, but you must play the ball where it lies. Don't go
uprooting plants or snapping them in half to give yourself the
upper hand. The best you can do is adjusting your stance for the
best possible swing.

Resting Balls Should Not Be Touched!

Thinking about nudging your ball after it's stopped? Go ahead,
and forfeit a stroke!

Where Oh Where Has My Little Ball Gone?

While we are on the subject of forfeiting strokes, if your ball
is lost for more than five minutes, plan on playing another ball
from the spot where you last shot and while you're at it,
forfeit one stroke.

Objects on the Course

But just to be fair, you may move out of place objects, out of
the way. This means cans and bottle or gardening tools, but
don't try to move a statue or water fountain, you'll likely hurt
yourself! When this happens and there are immovable objects in
your way, drop your ball within one club-length from the
clearest point but not in the direction of the hole.

Let's Talk Green

The green is an area with smoother grass, cut lower, near the
hole. If you can get your ball there, move the flagstick from
the hole but be sure to put it back where you found it, when the
last player has finished. Here, on the green, you may pick up
your ball, you must replace it right where you found it.

Do's and Don'ts of Golfing

Let's go over some guidelines. These should be fairly easy to
remember because they are all common sense and thoughtful rules
of etiquette. First, though you don't have to wear checkered
pants, dress properly for the sport, keep the volume down and
don't liter or leave your beverage containers behind.

Golf courses are buzzing places; try to be on time so you're not
holding anyone up. If you're struggling with a hole and it's
taking some time to get through, let other play through. Make
sure you turn your phone off as well.

Toss a coin or spin a bottle to see who goes first, never ever,
ever flip a club!

Be courteous and think about your safety and others. Keep out of
the way when another player is in the middle of a shot.

Cover the holes your clubs make in the ground, this is called
replacing the divots. You don't even need to bend to do it! And
if you've dug yourself a sand pit, maybe you'll consider
leveling it out for the next unlucky shot.

Do I need to remind you not to flip, toss, throw, chuck or
launch a club? Good! Now you're ready to play golf, don't forget
your spikes!

About the author:
Brian Kendall is a staff writer at Recreation Digest
and is an occasional contributor to several other websites,
including Outdoor Sports Enthusiast.

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