This page contains an explanation of the most common rules in golf. There is a minute long video from the USGA to click on to help with the explanation.
ON THE PUTTING GREEN: There will no longer be a penalty if you accidentally cause your ball to move on the putting green. The ball must be replaced to its original spot if you have already marked and replaced the ball; if it was blown by wind or moved for no clear reason, before you have marked it, you play from the new spot. You may repair almost any damage on the putting green, including spike marks and animal damage. You may now touch the intended line of the putt. You may putt with the flagstick in the hole - there is no penalty for hitting the flagstick. You must decide if you want the flag in or out before the stroke - if tended, the flag must be taken out before the ball gets to the hole. A ball wedged against the flag with part of the ball below the level of the green is considered in the hole. It is still a 2-stroke penalty if the ball hits the flag, while it is tended or lying on the ground.
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DROPPING: You must drop the ball from knee height into the relief area without throwing, spinning, or rolling it. The ball may not touch any part of your body or equipment before it hits the ground. If you drop the ball improperly, you may drop it again the right way.
If the ball fails to stay in the relief area after the second drop, you must place it where it landed.
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BUNKERS: There are a few rule changes governing bunker play. Loose impediments may be removed within a bunker, including leaves, twigs, and stones as long as the removal will not cause the ball to move. If you cause the ball to move there is a penalty stroke and you replace the ball where it was. You may touch the sand with a club incidentally but not for the purpose of testing the lie. You may not touch the sand directly in front of or behind the ball, while making a practice swing, or as part of your backswing.
If you want to declare the ball unplayable in the bunker, you may take relief either in the bunker or outside. A new rule in 2019 allows you to take relief outside the bunker back-on-the-line from the hole through where the ball was at rest for 2 penalty strokes.
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PENALTY AREAS: Formerly known as "hazards", they are areas from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if your ball comes to rest there. Penalty areas will be marked with yellow or red stakes and/or lines. If you choose to play the ball from the penalty area, two important changes in 2019 are that a) loose impediments may be moved and b) touching the ground in a penalty area is allowed. "Loose" means it is not attached or growing, not imbedded in the ground, and not sticking to the ball. If the ball moves during the removal of loose impediments there will be a penalty stroke and the ball replaced. If you choose to take relief from penalty areas, they are described below:
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PACE OF PLAY: "Ready golf" (except in match play) is encouraged when it can be done in a safe and responsible way. A new rule recommends that players make each stroke in no more than 40 seconds and usually less time. Search time for a lost ball is reduced to 3 minutes from 5. Removing the penalty for hitting the flag was another change made to speed up play. You don't have to wait for your playing partner to get to remove the flag before you putt.
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OTHER NEW RULES:
'General area' replaces 'through the green' to mean anywhere in the rough or on the fairway.
You get free relief from an embedded ball anywhere in the 'general area'.
A ball that is moved during a search must be replaced with no penalty.
If your ball unintentionally hits you or your equipment, there is no penalty.
If you accidentally hit the ball twice during the stroke, there is no penalty and you only count the one stroke.
'Club length' is the length of the longest club in your bag, except your putter.
You may substitute a ball when you are taking relief. Previously, the ball had to be damaged.
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LOCAL RULE: You may have heard about a local rule that changes how you play a ball lost or out of bounds. Instead of playing a provisional or going back to the original place to hit again, a committee may use a local rule that allows you to move the ball to the nearest fairway, take two club lengths, not closer to the hole, and drop a ball for a two-stroke penalty. This rule would not be in effect in higher level play, matches, Club Championship, or most tournaments. You must be sure the rule is in effect before taking advantage of it.
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Rules that have not changed but you should know:
BALL LOST OR OUT OF BOUNDS - PROVISIONAL BALL: Anytime you hit a ball that may be out of bounds (OB) or into an area where it may be lost (not in a penalty area), you should hit a provisional ball from the same place. If the first ball turns out to be OB or lost, and you have not hit a provisional, you will have to walk back to the place from where you just hit, take a penalty stroke and hit another shot. A provisional ball saves time. If the original ball is OB or lost, the provisional becomes the ball in play. If you find your original ball, it becomes the ball in play and the provisional ball must be picked up. (HINT: There may be times when it is better to declare your ball lost, than to find it and have to play it.)
Remember, you DON'T hit a provisional ball when you hit your ball into a penalty area (formerly hazards).
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OUT OF BOUNDS: When is your ball out of bounds? See diagram below. Remember, OB stakes (white) are not allowed to be moved for your stance and swing. Penalty area stakes (red and yellow) are allowed to be moved to play your ball.
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AN UNPLAYABLE BALL: It is up to you to decide if your ball is unplayable. If you believe the ball is unplayable, you may, under a penalty of one stroke, use one of the three options pictured and described below. (Remember, if you take it out of a bunker back-on-the-line, it will be a two stroke penalty.)
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ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS: ACC include immovable obstructions (permanent benches, cart paths, buildings, etc.), embedded ball, ground under repair, temporary water, dangerous animal conditions, and animal holes. These conditions are treated as free relief, except in a penalty areas and bunkers. See the descriptions and diagrams below to determine how to take relief from Abnormal Course Conditions:
Your "nearest point of complete relief" may not be your best point of relief, so evaluate your options before marking and lifting your ball. It may be better to play from where your are, if allowed, than to take relief under a bush, for example.
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NOT A RULE, BUT IT SHOULD BE
We all make ball marks on the green (below left). A well repaired ball mark (below middle) will disappear in a day or two. A badly repaired ball mark (below right) leaves a brown spot because dirt was pulled up to the surface and flattened. It may appear smooth, but it will take weeks for the grass to fill in and it may never heal.
Try to encourage everyone you play with to fix ball marks properly by following the instructions below:
Fix your own mark and one other - leave the course better than you found it!