Rule 1: The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules

A round is 18 or fewer holes, and they are played in the order set by the Committee.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1; Definitions (Round) · recall

Every hole starts with a stroke from the teeing area of the hole being played.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1 · recall

A hole ends when the ball is holed on the putting green, or when another Rule says the hole is completed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1 · recall

The two central principles are to play the course as you find it and to play the ball as it lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1 · recall

A bad lie is not a reason to move the ball; it is played as it lies unless a specific Rule allows relief.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1 · applied

The Rules contain exceptions that let a player alter conditions or play from a different place than where the ball lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1 · recall

Applying your own penalties means a breach never leaves you ahead of an opponent in match play or the field in stroke play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1 (Purpose of Rule) · recall

A hole runs from the stroke in the teeing area, through strokes played as the ball lies, to the ball being holed on the putting green.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.1 · recall

Strokes make up a hole, holes make up a round, and the Terms of the Competition set how many rounds a competition has.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 1.1 and 1.3a; Definitions (Round) · recall

A ball resting against the flagstick counts as holed if any part of it is below the surface of the green (A). B only overhangs the lip; C and D are on the green.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definitions (Holed); Rule 13.2c · applied

Integrity means following the Rules, applying every penalty and being honest; the other options are examples of consideration and care of the course.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

These are the Rules' own examples of taking good care of the course, one of the three parts of the spirit of the game.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

Falling short of the expected conduct carries no penalty under the Rules themselves; a Committee can add penalties only through a Code of Conduct.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 1.2a and 1.2b · applied

Acting with integrity means being honest in all aspects of play, including penalties that only the player knows about.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 1.2a and 1.3b(1) · applied

The spirit of the game rests on acting with integrity, showing consideration to others and taking good care of the course.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

The standards of conduct apply to every player, in match play and stroke play alike.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

The standards describe how players are expected to behave; apart from disqualification for serious misconduct, penalties come only from a Code of Conduct.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

A divot goes back into its own hole and is pressed down so the turf can grow again; leaving it lying beside the hole is the opposite.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · applied

Smoothing a bunker after playing from it is part of the care of the course expected of every player.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · applied

C put the divot back and pressed it down. A left the divot lying beside its hole, B left footprints in the bunker and D left a ball-mark on the green.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · applied

Not distracting another player's play is one of the Rules' examples of showing consideration to others.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · applied

Prompt pace, looking out for others' safety and not distracting them are the examples given for consideration.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

Serious misconduct is conduct so far removed from what golf expects that the most severe sanction, removing the player, is justified.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · recall

For serious misconduct the Committee may disqualify the player, even where no Code of Conduct has been adopted.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · applied

Penalties other than disqualification for misconduct are possible only when a Code of Conduct has been adopted as a Local Rule.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2b · recall

"Rules" means Rules 1-25 with their Definitions plus any Local Rules the Committee adopts; the Terms of the Competition sit alongside them.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3a · recall

Entry requirements, dates and form of play, the number of rounds and the order of holes are Terms of the Competition; a Local Rule counts as one of the Rules.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3a · applied

Without a Code there is no penalty short of disqualification; a Code may set one stroke or the general penalty; serious misconduct can lead to disqualification.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rules 1.2a and 1.2b · recall

A Code of Conduct binds players only once it is adopted as a Local Rule; a breach then carries the penalty the Code sets.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2b · applied

Looking out for others' safety is part of consideration: when a ball may hit someone, the player should shout a warning straight away.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.2a · applied

Players apply the Rules to themselves and are expected to recognise their own breaches.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(1) · recall

Knowingly failing to apply a penalty is disqualification, whatever the original penalty was.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(1) · applied

Agreeing to ignore a known Rule or penalty disqualifies every player in the agreement once any of them has started the round.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(1) · applied

A player must consider their own knowledge and also all other information that is reasonably available.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(1) · recall

If the player did what could reasonably be expected, their judgment is accepted even when video later shows it was wrong.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(2) · applied

Deciding whether a ball touches or lies in an abnormal course condition is one of the location judgments the Rules list.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(2) · recall

Location judgments must be made promptly and with care, accepting that they often cannot be precise.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(2) · recall

A player may ask for help, but must not hold up play waiting for it; the issue is raised when a referee or the Committee becomes available.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(1); Rule 20.1 · applied

A wrong determination found before the stroke must be corrected; only after the stroke is a reasonable judgment protected.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(2); Rule 14.5 · applied

Relief is measured from where the ball last crossed the edge (C). A is the first crossing, B is where it flew back out over land, D is where it came to rest.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3b(2); Rule 17.1d · applied

A penalty applies when another person's action would breach the Rules if the player did it and it was done at the player's request or with their authority.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(1) · recall

A player who sees a breach coming concerning their ball and takes no reasonable steps to object or stop it gets the penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(1) · applied

The general penalty is loss of hole in match play and two penalty strokes in stroke play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(2) · recall

Neither a player nor the Committee may apply penalties differently from the Rules.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(3) · recall

Match play opponents may agree how to decide an issue, but not to ignore any Rule or penalty they know applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(3); Rule 20.1b(1) · applied

Breaches between two intervening events bring one penalty; where the penalties differ, the higher one applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(4) · applied

The stroke for taking penalty relief, such as from a penalty area or for an unplayable ball, is always added to any other penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(4) · recall

Penalties cancel the potential advantage: one stroke for minor ones, the general penalty for most breaches, disqualification when the score cannot stand.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(2) · recall

Becoming aware of a breach, including being told about it, is an intervening event, so a breach after it brings another penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(4) · applied

The two breaches before the stroke share one penalty; the stroke is an intervening event, so the breach after it adds a second.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 1.3c(4) · applied