One of our members requested information on the official rules of golf and how they come into play with our Golfaround league. When there is nothing on the line but fun recreational golf should be an enjoyable experience, trying to remember and deciphers the official rules can get in the way of a good time. The Rules of Golf are extremely detailed and difficult to interpret; in fact there are courses offered to teach and clarify.
As golfers we should be aware of the rules as they should be used for competitive play, but for a game among friends or a non- competitive league like Golfaround relaxed rules make the game easier, faster and more fun. These are simply common-sense practices. We will identify a condensed version of the official rules and follow this with the relaxed version.
One Stroke Penalty Plus Distance
The penalty for hitting a ball out of bounds is one stroke, and the player must return to the spot from where the previous stroke was played. For instance, if a golfer’s tee shot goes out of bounds, they will play their next shot from the tee box, counting it as their third stroke.
Water Hazards
· If the ball goes into a water hazard, the player can:
o Drop the ball near the spot where the last shot was played.
o Drop the ball behind the hazard, keeping the line between the hole and where the ball crossed the hazard. The player can drop as far back as desired.
o For lateral hazards, drop within two club-lengths of the entry point or on the opposite side of the hazard, both options with a one-stroke penalty.
If unsure whether the ball is in the hazard, treat it as lost or out of bounds under the stroke-and-distance rule.
The player can clean the ball if found in the hazard or replace it with another ball.
· If a shot lands in another hazard after hitting from a water hazard:
o Drop the ball near the previous spot, taking a one-stroke penalty.
Alternatively, follow Rule 26-1 steps with a penalty or return to the tee or the original hitting spot with a penalty.
The Golfaround way:
PENALTIES: All penalties should be one stroke, including out of bounds, water and lateral hazards, a lost ball and an unplayable lie. Drop a ball near where the original was lost and play on. This will also save on time and arguments over the interpretations of the golf’s most complex rules. When scoring though it will be as above, one in, one out counting three.