Learn Golf

The fundamental rule of golf — play the ball exactly where it came to rest, without improving its position, lie, or the area of your intended swing.

In stroke play, some competitions use a maximum score per hole (e.g. double par) to keep pace of play. Once you reach it, pick up and move on.

You must be able to identify your ball. Mark it with a pen before each round. Playing the wrong ball in stroke play is a 2-stroke penalty.

Natural objects not fixed or growing — leaves, sticks, stones, acorns — that you may move without penalty anywhere on the course (except in certain cases).

On the tee, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first (has the 'honor'). In the fairway, the player farthest from the hole plays first.

Your ball must be teed between or behind the tee markers — never in front. The tee markers define the teeing area on each hole.

Your ball must be played from a tee (or off the ground) on the teeing area. The tee can be any height — there is no rule on how high or low you tee it up.

You may only ask or receive advice from your caddie or partner. Asking other players what club they used or what they think you should do is a 2-stroke penalty.