Golf Rules Explained

Yes, but it’s a one-stroke penalty only if you take relief — playing the ball as it lies from a penalty area costs nothing. If you don’t play it as it lies, add one penalty stroke and drop outside the area: back on the line from where it last crossed the edge, or, in a red area, within two club-lengths of that point, no closer to the hole.

1. 1You may always play the ball as it lies with no penalty.
2. 2If not, add one penalty stroke.
3. 3Yellow area: drop back on the line from where the ball last crossed the edge, or replay from your previous spot.
4. 4Red area: also drop within two club-lengths of where it crossed, no nearer the hole.

Reference: Rule 17

Red stakes or lines mark a lateral penalty area, which gives you an extra relief option beyond the standard ones. For one penalty stroke, drop within two club-lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the edge, no nearer the hole, and not in another penalty area. You can also use back-on-the-line relief or replay from your previous spot, all for the same one-stroke penalty.

1. 1Find where the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.
2. 2Measure two club-lengths from that point, no closer to the hole.
3. 3Drop in that relief area (not in another penalty area).
4. 4Alternative: use back-on-the-line relief or replay from your previous spot instead.

Reference: Rule 17.1d

Yes. Since the 2019 rules update, you’re allowed to ground your club and even remove loose impediments (sticks, leaves, stones) while your ball is in a penalty area — no penalty. What’s still banned is testing the condition of the hazard, like deliberately touching the water, or improving your area of intended swing or line of play by bending or breaking anything growing or fixed.

1. 1Ground your club normally at address in a penalty area — allowed.
2. 2You may remove loose impediments like leaves or twigs.
3. 3Do not deliberately touch the water to test its condition.
4. 4Do not improve your lie, stance, swing area, or line of play.

Reference: Rule 17.1b

Both mark penalty areas and carry the same one-stroke penalty if you take relief — the difference is your options. Yellow penalty areas give you two choices: replay your previous shot, or drop back on the line keeping the entry point between you and the hole. Red (lateral) penalty areas add a third option — dropping within two club-lengths of where the ball crossed, no nearer the hole.

1. 1Identify the stake or line color marking the penalty area.
2. 2Yellow: replay previous shot, or drop back on the line — one penalty stroke.
3. 3Red: same two options, plus lateral relief within two club-lengths — one penalty stroke.
4. 4When in doubt, check local rules or the color of the stakes, not their shape.

Reference: Rule 17

If it’s known or virtually certain your ball came to rest in the penalty area — even though you can’t find it — you get penalty area relief for one stroke, not the harsher stroke-and-distance penalty for a lost ball. Without that evidence, it’s treated as an ordinary lost ball instead: stroke and distance, replaying from where you last played.

1. 1Search for the ball, but note any evidence it entered the penalty area.
2. 2If entry is known or virtually certain, take penalty area relief for one stroke.
3. 3If there’s no such evidence, it’s a lost ball: stroke and distance.
4. 4Replay from your previous spot if treating it as lost.

Reference: Rule 17.1c

Yes. A ball out of bounds — past the white stakes or boundary line — costs you stroke and distance: add one penalty stroke and replay from where you last played. It’s golf’s most expensive common penalty, which is why you play a provisional ball when a shot might be lost or out of bounds.

1. 1Confirm the ball is out of bounds (fully past the boundary line).
2. 2Add one penalty stroke to your score.
3. 3Return to the spot of your previous shot and play again from there.
4. 4If you announced a provisional before searching, that ball is now in play.

Reference: Rule 18

A lost ball costs stroke and distance — the same penalty as out of bounds. Add one penalty stroke and go back to play again from where you hit your previous shot. A ball is officially lost if you can’t find it within three minutes of starting to search, so keep an eye on your watch once the search begins.

1. 1Start timing your search as soon as you begin looking.
2. 2If not found within three minutes, the ball is lost.
3. 3Add one penalty stroke.
4. 4Return to the spot of your previous shot and replay from there.
5. 5Play a provisional ball beforehand to save time if the ball might be lost.

Reference: Rule 18.2

Playing a provisional carries no penalty of its own — it just saves you a walk back. If your first ball might be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds, say the word “provisional” before playing another ball from the same spot. If the original is found in bounds, keep playing it and pick up the provisional; if not, the provisional is in play under stroke and distance.

1. 1Say “provisional” clearly before playing the extra ball.
2. 2Play it from the same spot as your original shot (or as close as possible).
3. 3If you find the original ball in bounds, continue play with it and abandon the provisional.
4. 4If the original is lost or out of bounds, the provisional becomes your ball in play, under stroke and distance.

Reference: Rule 18.3

No penalty. If your ball falls off the tee, or you knock it off, before you make a stroke at it, just re-tee it and start again — it doesn’t count as a stroke. The rule only changes once you’ve actually swung and made contact, or taken a stroke that missed; then normal rules about strokes and penalties apply.

1. 1Ball falls off the tee (or is blown off) before any swing — no penalty.
2. 2Re-tee the ball anywhere within the teeing area.
3. 3Make your stroke as normal.
4. 4If you’ve already swung and missed, that whiff counts as a stroke, not a free re-tee.

Reference: Rule 6.2b

Yes. In stroke play, playing your tee shot from outside the teeing area costs two penalty strokes, and you must then play a correctly teed ball before moving on — do it before you tee off the next hole, or you risk disqualification. In match play there’s no do-over: the penalty is loss of hole, though your opponent may ask you to replay it instead.

1. 1Check that you’re teeing between and no farther forward than the tee markers, up to two club-lengths back.
2. 2If you play from outside that area in stroke play, add two penalty strokes.
3. 3Play a corrected tee shot from within the teeing area before starting the next hole.
4. 4In match play, correct instead by replaying only if your opponent asks you to.

Reference: Rule 6.1b

A whiff counts as a stroke, but there’s no extra penalty for missing — you simply add that swing to your score and play your next shot from the same spot. The rule only cares whether you made a genuine attempt to strike the ball: an intentional swing that misses is a stroke, but stopping your swing on purpose before reaching the ball isn’t.

1. 1Swing with intent to hit the ball and miss entirely — that’s a stroke.
2. 2Add it to your score like any other stroke.
3. 3Play your next shot from the same spot, no penalty added.
4. 4If you stop the swing deliberately before impact, it doesn’t count as a stroke.

Reference: Rule 14.1a

Under the standard rules, an unfound ball in leaves or thick rough is simply a lost ball: stroke and distance, replaying from your previous spot. Some clubs adopt a Local Rule allowing free relief for a ball lost in leaf litter or similar conditions, but you can’t assume it applies — check the local rules sheet before you rely on it, and always play a provisional if there’s real doubt.

1. 1Search thoroughly for three minutes, including carefully in leaves or rough.
2. 2Check the local rules sheet for a leaf-litter or ‘ball lost in leaves’ relief rule.
3. 3Without a local rule, treat it as lost: stroke and distance from your previous spot.
4. 4Play a provisional ball first if you suspect this might happen.

Reference: Rule 18.2

Yes — grounding your club right in front of or behind the ball, or touching the sand on your backswing in a way that improves conditions, costs two strokes in stroke play (loss of hole in match play) under Rule 12.2. However, since 2019 you may rest your club lightly on the sand elsewhere, lean on it to avoid falling, and touch the sand for other reasons like removing a loose impediment.

1. 1Do not touch the sand with your club right in front of or behind the ball at address.
2. 2Avoid letting your clubhead brush the sand on the backswing.
3. 3You may still rest your club on the sand elsewhere in the bunker, such as while walking.
4. 4If you ground it at the ball, expect a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.

Reference: Rule 12

Yes — touching the sand during your backswing is one of the restricted actions under Rule 12.2 and costs two strokes in stroke play (loss of hole in match play), even if it happens by accident. The prohibition also covers testing the sand with your hand or club and grounding your club at address. Brushing sand with a practice swing taken away from the ball, or touching it after your stroke, is not penalized.

1. 1Take practice swings outside the bunker, not over the sand.
2. 2Keep your clubhead clear of the sand as you swing back toward the ball.
3. 3If your club brushes sand during the actual stroke’s backswing, expect a two-stroke penalty.

Reference: Rule 12

Unplayable relief in a bunker normally costs one penalty stroke, with three options that keep the ball in the sand: replay your previous shot (stroke and distance), drop within two club-lengths of the ball no nearer the hole, or drop on a line running straight back from the hole through the ball. Since 2019 there is a fourth option — drop outside the bunker on that back-on-the-line, but it costs two penalty strokes instead of one.

1. 1Decide which in-bunker option suits your lie, or take the costlier option to escape the sand entirely.
2. 2Measure your two club-lengths, or establish your back-on-the-line reference point.
3. 3Drop the ball within the correct relief area for the option you chose.
4. 4Add your penalty stroke or strokes and play on.

Reference: Rule 19

Yes — since the 2019 rules changed, you may remove loose impediments such as leaves, stones, or twigs from a bunker without penalty, even when your ball is also lying in the sand. You just cannot touch the sand itself while doing so in a way that tests its condition, grounds your club at address, or improves your line of play, area of intended stance, or swing.

1. 1Pick up sticks, leaves, stones, or other natural loose impediments freely.
2. 2Avoid pressing down or smoothing the sand while removing them.
3. 3Be careful not to move your ball; if it does move, replace it with no penalty as long as you were not otherwise in breach.

Reference: Rule 12

No — you may not smooth the sand in the area of your intended stance or swing before playing your shot; doing so improves your conditions and costs two strokes in stroke play (loss of hole in match play) under Rule 8.1. Raking is fine after you have played out of the bunker, or in other parts of the bunker that will not affect your upcoming shot.

1. 1Leave footprints and irregularities near your ball untouched until after your stroke.
2. 2Rake only areas that will not affect your stance, swing, or line of play.
3. 3Once your ball is out of the bunker, rake freely to tidy up for the next player.

Reference: Rule 8

No — since 2019 there is no penalty for a ball striking the flagstick, whether you putt from on or off the green. You may now leave the flagstick in the hole for any stroke, take it out, or have it attended. Many players leave it in on long putts because it can help stop the ball.

1. 1Decide before your stroke whether to leave the flagstick in or take it out.
2. 2Play your stroke — a ball hitting the flagstick is fine, with no penalty.
3. 3If the ball rests against the flagstick, it counts as holed if any part is below the surface.

Reference: Rule 13

If your ball was played from on the green and it hits another ball that was also resting on the green, you get two penalty strokes in stroke play, and the other ball is replaced to its original spot. There is no penalty in match play. If your ball was played from off the green, there is no penalty at all, even if the ball it struck was on the green.

1. 1Check where your original stroke was played from — on the green or off it.
2. 2If both balls were on the green, add two penalty strokes in stroke play.
3. 3Replace the other player’s ball on its original spot, then play your ball as it lies.

Reference: Rule 11

No — once you have marked and lifted your ball, if the ball or the marker is later moved accidentally, such as by wind or the natural run of the green, there is no penalty. Simply replace the ball on its original spot. This also covers your ball or marker being accidentally moved by you, an opponent, or anyone else while it sits on the putting green.

1. 1Note the exact spot carefully before marking, so you can replace the ball accurately.
2. 2If the ball or marker moves after marking, do not worry about penalty.
3. 3Replace the ball on its original spot and continue play.

Reference: Rule 13

Yes — since 2019 you may repair spike marks, shoe damage, and other damage on the putting green without penalty, in addition to ball marks and old hole plugs. This can be done at any time, even while another player’s ball is still moving, as long as you do not unreasonably delay play. You still cannot repair damage anywhere else on the course, such as on your line through the fairway.

1. 1Use a repair tool, tee, or club to fix the damaged area.
2. 2Press the surface back down gently without removing anything or building it up.
3. 3Repair only actual damage on the putting green, not natural surface imperfections like mowing lines.

Reference: Rule 13

You must take free relief — playing from a wrong green, such as the practice green or another hole’s putting surface, is not allowed. Find the nearest point of complete relief off the green, no nearer the hole, then drop within one club-length of that point in the required relief area. There is no penalty, but you must take relief rather than putt or chip from the wrong green.

1. 1Identify the nearest point of complete relief off the wrong green, not nearer the hole.
2. 2Measure one club-length from that point to establish your relief area.
3. 3Drop the ball within that relief area and play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 13

No — since 2019 straddling or standing on the line of your putt, or its extension, while making a stroke is no longer penalized on its own; the old anti-straddle rule was removed. The restriction that remains is Rule 10.1b: you cannot make your stroke while standing on, or with a foot touching, the line of putt in a way that is clearly meant to influence how the ball moves.

1. 1You may stand astride or on the line of your putt without automatic penalty.
2. 2Avoid deliberately using your stance to influence the ball’s line as it rolls.
3. 3If in doubt about an unusual stance’s purpose, ask a rules official before you putt.

Reference: Rule 10

Yes. A paved cart path is an immovable obstruction, so you get free relief when it interferes with your lie, stance, or swing. Find the nearest point of complete relief no closer to the hole, and drop within one club-length of it. You can also just play it off the path if you prefer — relief is optional.

1. 1Find your nearest point of complete relief (not nearer the hole) where the path no longer interferes.
2. 2Mark that point; your relief area is one club-length from it, no nearer the hole.
3. 3Drop the ball from knee height within that area.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16

Yes. Temporary water (once called casual water) is an abnormal course condition, so you get free relief in the general area when it covers your ball, touches your stance, or sits in your swing or line of play. Find your nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole, and drop within one club-length of it from knee height.

1. 1Confirm the water is temporary (not part of a penalty area) and it interferes with your lie, stance, or swing.
2. 2Find the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, where the water no longer interferes.
3. 3Drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16.1

Ground under repair (GUR) is an abnormal course condition, so you get free relief when it interferes with your lie, stance, or swing — even without a sign, if it is clearly marked or obviously under maintenance. Find your nearest point of complete relief no closer to the hole, then drop within one club-length of that point from knee height.

1. 1Identify the area as GUR — marked with stakes/lines, or defined by the committee.
2. 2Find the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, outside the GUR.
3. 3Drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16.1

Yes, you get free relief from any immovable obstruction — cart paths, sprinkler heads, stakes, buildings — when it interferes with your lie, stance, or swing. Find the nearest point of complete relief no closer to the hole, then drop within one club-length of that point from knee height. Simply being able to see the hole better is not interference, so no relief is given for that.

1. 1Confirm the obstruction is artificial and interferes with your lie, stance, or swing.
2. 2Find the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, clear of the obstruction.
3. 3Drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16.1

Yes. If your ball is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area — fairway or rough — you get free relief, not just in the fairway. Mark the spot, lift and clean the ball, then drop it within one club-length of the spot right behind where it was embedded, no closer to the hole, from knee height. Embedded-ball relief does not apply in bunkers or penalty areas.

1. 1Confirm the ball is embedded in its own pitch-mark, in the general area.
2. 2Mark the spot right behind where the ball first broke the surface.
3. 3Lift, clean, and drop within one club-length of that spot, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16.3

Yes. A hole made by a burrowing animal, bird, or reptile is an abnormal course condition, so you get free relief when it interferes with your lie, stance, or swing. Find the nearest point of complete relief no closer to the hole, then drop within one club-length of that point from knee height. This covers rabbit and gopher holes, but not damage from insects or worms.

1. 1Confirm the hole was made by a burrowing animal, bird, or reptile, not an insect.
2. 2Find the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, clear of the hole and its edges.
3. 3Drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16.1

Yes. A sprinkler head is an immovable obstruction, so you get free relief when it interferes with your lie, stance, or swing — not simply because it sits near your ball. Find the nearest point of complete relief no closer to the hole, then drop within one club-length of that point from knee height. Some courses add a local rule for relief near greens too.

1. 1Confirm the sprinkler head interferes with your lie, stance, or swing, not just your view.
2. 2Find the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, clear of the head.
3. 3Drop within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole, from knee height.
4. 4Play on with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 16.1

Usually not. A young or staked tree is part of the course, so there is no automatic free relief just because it blocks your swing. You only get relief if the committee has declared it a no-play zone by local rule, or if the stake itself is an immovable obstruction interfering with your stance or swing. Otherwise, your only options are to play it as it lies or take unplayable-ball relief for one penalty stroke.

1. 1Check for a local rule declaring staked/young trees a no-play zone (free relief if so).
2. 2If no local rule applies and the stake interferes with your stance or swing, you may get relief from the stake as an immovable obstruction.
3. 3Otherwise, play the tree as it lies, or take unplayable-ball relief for one penalty stroke.

Reference: Rule 16.1f / Rule 19

Yes, and it is free. Rakes, bottles, movable stakes, and other movable obstructions may simply be moved out of the way before you play your stroke. If your ball moves while you are removing the object, there is no penalty — just replace the ball on its original spot. This applies anywhere on the course, including bunkers and penalty areas.

1. 1Identify the object as movable (you can lift it without unreasonable effort).
2. 2Move it out of the way, or lift your ball, move the object, then replace the ball.
3. 3If the ball moves during removal, replace it on its original spot with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 15.2

Drop from knee height, holding the ball so it falls straight down without being thrown, spun, or rolled. The ball must land and stay within the relief area you are using. If it rolls out, hits you, or ends up nearer the hole than allowed, redrop; after two failed drops, place the ball where it hit the ground on the second drop.

1. 1Stand up straight and hold the ball at knee height, then let it drop straight down.
2. 2Make sure the ball lands and comes to rest inside the relief area.
3. 3If it rolls outside the relief area or nearer the hole, redrop it once more.
4. 4If the second drop also fails to stay in the area, place the ball where it hit the ground.

Reference: Rule 14.3

Yes, and there’s no penalty if you follow the right steps. If you reasonably believe a ball is yours but can’t be sure without a closer look, mark its spot first, then lift it to identify — you can rotate it to check but not clean it beyond what’s needed to see identifying marks. Replace it on its original spot before playing on.

1. 1Announce your intent and mark the ball’s spot before lifting it.
2. 2Lift and rotate the ball to check for identifying marks.
3. 3Clean only as much as needed to identify it, not more.
4. 4Replace it on the exact original spot before your next stroke.

Reference: Rule 7.3

No — since the 2019 rules update, a double hit counts as just one stroke with no extra penalty. If your club accidentally strikes the ball more than once during the same swing, simply count it as a single stroke and play on from where the ball ends up. This replaced the old rule that added a one-stroke penalty on top of the stroke itself.

1. 1Do not worry if you feel or hear your club contact the ball twice in one swing.
2. 2Count the whole action as a single stroke, with no penalty added.
3. 3Play your next shot from wherever the ball comes to rest.

Reference: Rule 10

Yes. Natural objects like leaves, twigs, stones, and loose branches may be removed anywhere on the course, including bunkers and penalty areas, with no penalty. The one catch: if removing a loose impediment causes your ball to move anywhere except on the putting green, that is one penalty stroke, and you must replace the ball on its original spot.

1. 1Identify the impediment as natural — not fixed, growing, or solidly embedded.
2. 2Remove it by hand or club, anywhere on the course, including bunkers and penalty areas.
3. 3If your ball moves as a result off the green, replace it and add one penalty stroke.
4. 4On the putting green, removing a loose impediment that moves your ball is no penalty.

Reference: Rule 15.1

Yes, it is a two-stroke penalty (loss of hole in match play). You cannot improve your lie, stance, swing area, line of play, or relief area by bending or breaking things growing or fixed, removing turf, or pressing down ground. Fair actions taken in the normal course of play — grounding your club, taking your stance, or a practice swing that just brushes grass — are allowed.

1. 1Do not bend, break, or remove anything growing or fixed to improve your lie or swing.
2. 2Do not press down turf, remove turf, or build a stance beyond fairly placing your feet.
3. 3Fairly grounding your club, taking a normal stance, and light practice swings are all fine.
4. 4Breaking this rule costs two strokes (loss of hole in match play).

Reference: Rule 8.1

In stroke play, playing a wrong ball is a two-stroke penalty, and you must then correct the mistake by playing your own ball before teeing off at the next hole — if you don’t, you’re disqualified. Strokes made with the wrong ball don’t count. In match play, playing a wrong ball loses you the hole.

1. 1Stop as soon as you realize it was the wrong ball.
2. 2Add the two-stroke penalty (strokes with the wrong ball don’t count).
3. 3Go back and play your own original ball from its spot.
4. 4Correct it before starting the next hole to avoid disqualification.

Reference: Rule 6.3c

If an outside influence — an animal, another player, a cart, or someone else’s ball — moves your ball, there’s no penalty: replace it on its original spot, estimating the spot if needed. But wind and gravity aren’t outside influences, so if natural forces move your ball, there’s no penalty and no replacement — you simply play it from its new position.

1. 1Figure out whether an outside influence (person, animal, vehicle) or natural forces (wind, gravity) moved the ball.
2. 2If an outside influence caused it, replace the ball on its original spot with no penalty.
3. 3If wind or gravity caused it, play the ball from its new spot — no replacement, no penalty.
4. 4Estimate the original spot if you’re not sure exactly where the ball was.

Reference: Rule 9.6

No penalty. If you accidentally move your own ball while searching for it — in the general area, a bunker, a penalty area, or on the putting green — simply replace it on its original spot, estimating the spot if you’re not certain. This applies even though you caused the movement, as long as it happened during a reasonable search.

1. 1Note the ball’s original spot (or your best estimate) before it moved.
2. 2Replace the ball on that spot — no penalty applies, even though you caused it.
3. 3This covers searches anywhere on the course, including bunkers and penalty areas.

Reference: Rule 7.4

A ball stuck in a tree is treated as an unplayable lie. You take one penalty stroke and choose from the usual options: stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line relief, or lateral relief within two club-lengths of a spot directly below the ball. If you can’t reach or identify the ball, use a reasonable estimate of that spot.

1. 1Declare the ball unplayable — you don’t need to retrieve or even see it clearly.
2. 2Estimate the spot directly beneath the ball if you can’t measure exactly.
3. 3Choose stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral relief (two club-lengths), each for one penalty stroke.
4. 4Drop in your chosen relief area and play on.

Reference: Rule 19.2

You may declare your ball unplayable anywhere on the course except a penalty area, for one penalty stroke, then choose from three relief options: replay from where you last played (stroke-and-distance); drop within two club-lengths of the ball, no nearer the hole (lateral); or drop back on a line through the hole and the ball’s spot, going back as far as you like (back-on-the-line).

1. 1Confirm the ball isn’t in a penalty area (different relief rules apply there).
2. 2Add one penalty stroke.
3. 3Pick stroke-and-distance, lateral relief (two club-lengths), or back-on-the-line relief.
4. 4Drop in the relief area you chose and continue play.

Reference: Rule 19

No penalty. If your ball in motion accidentally hits your own bag, cart, clubs, or any other equipment — or even you or your caddie — you simply play the ball as it lies. A player and their equipment count as outside influences for this purpose, just like hitting another player’s gear.

1. 1Confirm the contact was accidental, not deliberate.
2. 2No penalty applies — play the ball as it lies from wherever it stops.
3. 3If it ends up unplayable, you can still use unplayable-ball relief separately.

Reference: Rule 11.1

Yes. Asking anyone other than your partner or your own caddie for advice during a round costs two strokes in stroke play, or loss of hole in match play — and the same penalty applies to whoever gives the advice, if they’re also in the competition. Public information, like distances or the rules, is always fine to ask.

1. 1Only exchange swing thoughts or strategy with your partner or your own caddie.
2. 2Public information, like yardages or where hazards are, is always fine to ask about.
3. 3If advice is improperly given or received, both players involved take the penalty.

Reference: Rule 10.2a

Carrying more than 14 clubs costs two penalty strokes for each hole where the breach occurred, up to a maximum of four strokes per round in stroke play. In match play, the state of the match is adjusted by one hole per breach, capped at two holes. Once discovered, declare the extra club out of play immediately.

1. 1Count your clubs before you start — the limit is 14.
2. 2If you find you have too many, declare the extra club out of play immediately.
3. 3In stroke play, add two strokes per hole breached, capped at four per round.
4. 4In match play, adjust the score by one hole per breach, capped at two holes.

Reference: Rule 4.1b

No penalty for anyone. If your ball in motion accidentally hits another player, their caddie, or their equipment, play continues with no penalty to you or them — just play the ball as it lies from where it comes to rest. The same no-penalty rule applies if it hits an animal or a spectator.

1. 1Confirm the contact was accidental.
2. 2No penalty applies to any player involved.
3. 3Play the ball as it lies from its new resting spot.

Reference: Rule 11.1

No penalty in stroke play — playing out of turn (sometimes called ready golf) is fine and even encouraged for pace of play. In match play it’s different: if you play out of turn, your opponent may immediately cancel your stroke and require you to replay it in the correct order, with no penalty for the redo.

1. 1In stroke play, play whenever it’s safe and ready — no penalty either way.
2. 2In match play, honor plays first, then whoever is farthest from the hole.
3. 3If you play out of turn in match play, your opponent can cancel the stroke and make you replay it.

Reference: Rule 6.4

If you sign for a score lower than what you actually took on any hole, you’re disqualified — that lower score stands as final, but you’re out of the competition. If you sign for a score higher than you actually took, there’s no disqualification: the higher score stands and counts against you, even though it’s wrong.

1. 1Double-check every hole score against your marker’s card before signing.
2. 2If you signed for lower than you actually scored on any hole, you’re disqualified.
3. 3If you signed for higher than you actually scored, the higher score stands — no disqualification.

Reference: Rule 3.3b

One penalty stroke. If a practice swing accidentally moves your ball once it’s in play (in the general area, rough, or fairway), replace it and add one stroke. Exception: on the teeing ground before your first stroke of the hole, the ball isn’t yet in play, so a practice swing that knocks it off the tee costs nothing — just re-tee it.

1. 1If the ball is already in play and your practice swing moves it, add one penalty stroke.
2. 2Replace the ball on its original spot.
3. 3Exception: on the tee before your first stroke, the ball isn’t in play yet — just re-tee with no penalty.

Reference: Rule 9.4b

No automatic penalty. The old rule that penalized any ball moving at address was removed — now a penalty only applies if you actually caused the ball to move, for example by grounding your club on it or brushing it with your stance. If it moves for any other reason, like wind, simply play it from its new spot.

1. 1Check whether you caused the movement (grounding your club, your stance, etc.).
2. 2If you caused it, add one penalty stroke and replace the ball.
3. 3If something else caused it (wind, gravity), no penalty — play it from its new spot.

Reference: Rule 9.4b