Quick Rules
Clear explanations you can take to the course. Choose a lesson below.
Lost ball or out of bounds
A ball is lost after three minutes of searching by you or your caddie. A ball is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the course boundary.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minCan I hit a provisional?
You may play a provisional when your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minCart path relief
An immovable cart path interfering with your ball, stance or swing can allow free relief in the general area.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minGround under repair or temporary water
In the general area, qualifying interference from ground under repair or temporary water normally allows free relief.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minEmbedded or plugged ball
A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark from your previous stroke in the general area normally qualifies.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minRed penalty area
If your ball is in a red penalty area, you can usually play it as it lies without penalty or take relief for one penalty stroke.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minYellow penalty area
Yellow areas normally offer stroke-and-distance or back-on-the-line relief, each for one penalty stroke. There is no standard two-club-length lateral option.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minUnplayable ball
You decide whether your ball is unplayable. In the general area or on the putting green, each standard option costs one penalty stroke.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minHow to take a drop
Normally, you must release the ball straight down from the height of your knee when standing, without throwing or spinning it.
Read lesson Quick Rules · 2 minBall moved on the putting green
If you accidentally move your ball or marker on the putting green, normally replace it without penalty. Mark the spot before lifting a ball to clean it.
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