RULES YOU NEED TO KNOW 

Golf has 34 rules that help us play competitive golf.  If you are the average player who plays on the weekends for fun, these rules can get very confusing and can have you making up your own. 

Here is a look at the ones you need to know to help your game.   

1.      Water Hazard (Yellow Stakes)  OPTIONS

a.       Hit again from original spot (1 stroke penalty)

b.      Imagine a line from the hole to the spot where the ball entered the hazard.  Drop the ball on that line, but not closer to the hole.  You may move further back if you wish, staying on that line. ( 1 stroke penalty)

c.       Play the ball where it lies ( NO PENALTY)

 2.      Lateral Water Hazard (Red Stakes)  OPTIONS

a.       Hit again from original spot (1 stroke penalty)

b.      Same as option #2 b above.

c.       Play the ball where it lies (no penalty)

d.      Drop within 2 club lengths from where your ball entered the water, though not closer to the hole. (1 stroke penalty)

e.       Drop from the other side of the water, within 2 club lengths (Look, sometimes the other side of the creek is a better way of playing your next shot). 

3.      Out of Bounds (White Stakes)

a.       You must hit again from the original spot:  be it the fairway or tee box.1 stroke penalty

4.      Unplayable Lie  OPTIONS (1 stroke penalty for any choice)

a.       Hit again from the original spot

b.      Drop within 2 club lengths of lie, but not closer to the hole.

c.       Drop the ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and dropping spot.  There is no limit how far behind that point you may drop.  (you may find 50 yards back is a better way of hitting your next shot, just look for options)

 5.      In the following situations you may drop 1 club length with NO penalty stroke.

a.   Casual (rain) water-puddles under your feet, move to dry area no

      closer to the hole.

            b.   Ground under repair (usually roped off or white painted line circling

                  the area.

c.       Ball or Foot on a sprinkler head- move 1 club length to free area.Wrong putting green- move the ball to the side of the green before hitting your next shot.