Description

Here is a quick reference for key **Golf Rules (2023-2026)**:

### **1. The Basics**
– **Play the ball as it lies**: You must play the ball from where it lies, unless a rule allows you to do otherwise.
– **Honor**: The player who has the lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.
– **Etiquette**: Be mindful of other players by maintaining pace, repairing divots, fixing ball marks, and respecting quiet zones.

### **2. The Course**
– **Teeing Ground**: The area defined by two markers where the first stroke is played.
– **Hazards**: Water hazards, bunkers, and out of bounds are marked to help determine penalty strokes and relief options.
– **Water Hazard**: If your ball is in water, you may play it as it lies or take a penalty drop.
– **Bunker**: You cannot ground your club in a bunker before striking the ball.

### **3. Ball in Motion**
– **Ball Interference**: If a ball in motion hits a person, animal, or object, there is no penalty, and the ball is played from the spot where it lies.
– **Lost Ball**: A ball is lost if it is not found within 3 minutes. A penalty of 1 stroke applies when dropping a new ball where the ball was last seen.

### **4. Unplayable Lies**
– **Relief**: You can declare a ball unplayable anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area or on the teeing ground).
– **Penalty**: 1 stroke. Relief may be taken by dropping the ball within two club lengths from where the ball lies, or by going back on a straight line from the flag.

### **5. Putting Green**
– **Ball Mark**: You may repair any damage on the green (including ball marks, divots, or spike marks).
– **Ball in Motion**: If your ball moves due to wind or another natural cause, there is no penalty, and the ball is replaced on its original spot.

### **6. Penalties**
– **1 Stroke Penalty**: Occurs for actions such as:
– Hitting the ball out of bounds.
– Hitting a ball in a water hazard.
– Taking relief from an unplayable lie.
– **2 Stroke Penalty**: Often occurs for infractions like grounding the club in a bunker or violating a local rule.

### **7. Equipment**
– **Clubs**: You may carry up to 14 clubs, but you cannot replace or add clubs during a round unless the club is damaged during play.
– **Ball**: You must play the ball you started with, unless it is lost or damaged.

### **8. Pace of Play**
– **Ready Golf**: Players are encouraged to play when ready, as long as it does not disrupt others.
– **Time Limit**: You must hit your shot within 40 seconds. Continuous delays may result in penalties.

### **9. Dropping the Ball**
– **General Rule**: When dropping, you must hold the ball at shoulder height, and it must land within the defined relief area (usually within 1 or 2 club lengths, depending on the rule).

### **10. Specific Scenarios**
– **Ball in Water Hazard (Penalty Area)**: A ball in a penalty area can be played as it lies or by taking a 1-stroke penalty and dropping outside the area.
– **Ball in Bunker**: When in a bunker, you cannot touch the sand with your club before the strike.

### **11. Match Play vs Stroke Play**
– **Match Play**: Players compete hole by hole. The winner of each hole earns 1 point.
– **Stroke Play**: The total number of strokes taken during the round determines the winner.

This guide is a basic summary. For more detailed and specific scenarios, refer to the **USGA** or **R&A** official rules.