# Rule 10: Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Caddies (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 10: Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Caddies · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-10-preparing-for-and-making-a-stroke-advice-and-help-caddies/)

Making a stroke: fairly striking the ball, anchoring, standing across the line of play and playing a moving ball; advice and help with aiming, the caddie's restricted area, protection from the elements, and what a caddie may and may not do.

## 10.101 Making a Stroke

Fairly striking the ball, anchoring the club, standing across the line of play, playing a moving ball, and what counts as a stroke.

### Test 1: Fairly striking the ball

- The ball must be fairly struck with any part of the head of the club, not with the shaft or the grip. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- There must be only momentary contact between club and ball; the ball must not be pushed, scraped or scooped. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- An accidental double hit is still one stroke and there is no penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- Pushing or raking the ball is not fairly striking it, a breach of Rule 10.1a with the general penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a, Penalty)
- Scooping the ball breaches the requirement to fairly strike at it with momentary contact. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- The toe is part of the clubhead, so striking with it is a fair stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- A stroke made in breach of Rule 10.1 counts, and in stroke play the player also gets two penalty strokes. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1, Penalty)
- The accidental second contact changes nothing: one stroke, and the ball is played from where it stops. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- A fair stroke is a swing at the ball with only a brief contact with the clubhead. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)
- A swings the head through the ball with brief contact. B pushes the ball along, C scoops it, and D hits it with the grip end rather than the head. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1a)

### Test 2: Anchoring the club

- Rule 10.1b prohibits anchoring the club, directly or through an anchor point. Grip position and putter length are not restricted by it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- Holding the club against the body is direct anchoring. A long putter may be used, but not anchored. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- The club or a gripping hand may be held against a hand or forearm. It only matters what touches the body. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- Indirect anchoring holds a forearm against the body so that a gripping hand becomes a stable point for the other hand to swing around. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- A brush against clothing is not holding the arm there, so no anchor exists. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- For Rule 10.1b the forearm is the part of the arm below the elbow joint, including the wrist. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- Anchoring is banned for every stroke, not only putts. In stroke play the stroke counts and two penalty strokes are added. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b; Rule 10.1, Penalty)
- The anchored stroke stands, and the two penalty strokes go on the score for that hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b; Rule 10.1, Penalty)
- A long putter is fine once the club and the gripping hands are kept off the body. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)
- D holds the grip along the forearm with the arms clear of the body. A anchors on the chest, B clamps a forearm to the chest and C presses the club into the stomach. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1b)

### Test 3: Standing across or on the line of play

- A player must not deliberately place a foot on each side of the line of play, or deliberately touch it with either foot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- Rule 10.1c covers the line of play and its extension behind the ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- There is no penalty if the stance is taken to avoid another player's line of play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c, Exception)
- The Rule targets deliberate placing; a stance taken accidentally brings no penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c, Exception)
- For this Rule only, the line of play does not include the reasonable distance on either side that it normally does. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- Croquet-style putting puts one foot on each side of the line behind the ball, so the general penalty applies. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- The Rule is about a foot deliberately placed on each side of, or on, the line or its extension. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- Before the stroke there is no breach yet; a new stance beside the ball keeps it within the Rule. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- The hole sits at the far end, the line runs back to the ball, and beyond it lies the extension. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)
- B straddles the extension of the line behind the ball. A, C and D stand beside the ball, with both feet on one side of the line. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1c)

### Test 4: Playing a moving ball

- A ball in play is moving when it is not at rest on a spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d)
- A ball that only wobbles and stays on or returns to its spot is treated as being at rest. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d)
- Hitting a ball falling off a tee is covered by Rule 6.2b(5): the stroke counts and there is no penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d, Exception 2; Rule 6.2b(5))
- A ball moving in water in a penalty area or in temporary water may be played without penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d, Exception 3)
- The player must not unreasonably delay play to let the current or wind move the ball to a better place. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d, Exception 3; Rule 5.6a)
- The penalty for a breach of Rule 10.1 is the general penalty, which in match play is loss of hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1, Penalty)
- The three are movement that began after the backswing, a ball falling off a tee, and a ball moving in water. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d)
- Playing a ball moving in water is allowed, as long as the player does not wait unreasonably for a better spot. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d, Exception 3)
- Once the stroke has begun, a ball falling off the tee is played as it is struck. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 6.2b(5))
- D's ball was rolling down the slope before the stroke began. A fell off the tee, B is in water and C only wobbles, so none of those is penalised. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d)

### Test 5: What counts as a stroke

- A stroke is the forward movement of the club made to strike the ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- A player who decides during the downswing not to strike, and stops the clubhead before the ball, has not made a stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- The swing was made to strike the ball, so the miss is a stroke and counts in the score. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- If the player cannot stop, deliberately missing the ball also means no stroke has been made. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- Accidentally striking the ball in a practice swing is not a stroke. The player has moved the ball: one penalty stroke and it is replaced. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke; Rule 9.4)
- A score in strokes means all strokes made and any penalty strokes. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke; Rule 3.1c)
- Under the Definitions, playing a ball means the same as making a stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- Stopping the clubhead deliberately before it reaches the ball means no stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- A genuine attempt that misses is a stroke, and the ball is still where it lay. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)
- C swung through the ball's spot to hit it and missed, which is a stroke. A is a practice swing, B stopped the downswing and D has only soled the club. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Stroke)

## 10.102 Advice, Help and Caddies

Advice, help with aiming and objects set down, the caddie's restricted area, physical help and the elements, and what a caddie may and may not do.

### Test 1: Advice during a round

- Apart from a partner or the partner's caddie, the player's own caddie is the only person they may ask for advice. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a; Definition of Caddie)
- Asking anyone other than one's caddie for advice is a breach, whether or not an answer comes back. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a, Penalty)
- Distances between points are public information, so asking for one is not asking for advice. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Advice)
- The location of things on the course, distances, wind direction and the Rules are public information. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Advice)
- Touching another player's equipment to learn what would be advice is a breach of Rule 10.2a. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a)
- When both players are between two holes, the penalty is applied on the next hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a, Penalty)
- The advice Rule does not apply before a round, while play is stopped or between rounds. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a)
- Asking one's own caddie is the allowed route to advice. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a)
- When either player is playing a hole, the penalty is applied on the hole being played. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a, Penalty)
- B asks another competitor which club to hit. A asks their own caddie, and C (a distance) and D (the Rules) ask for public information. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2a; Definition of Advice)

### Test 2: Help with aiming and objects set down

- Setting an object down to help with aiming or taking a stance is a breach, and removing it before the stroke does not avoid the penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(3))
- A mark made in sand or dew for a similar purpose is treated the same way as an object set down. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(3))
- A ball-marker used to mark the spot of a ball is outside Rule 10.2b(3). (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(3))
- A self-standing putter may be used for strokes, but setting it down to show the line is help with aiming. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Clarification 10.2b/1)
- An object is set down only when it touches the ground and the player is not holding it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Clarification 10.2b(3)/1)
- Away from the putting green, a person may stand as a target as long as they move away before the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(2))
- A caddie must not stand in a position for the player to play towards while the stroke is made. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(1))
- Once an object has been set down to help, taking it away before the stroke does not cancel the breach. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(1))
- Pointing out an object such as a tree that shows the line is giving public information. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(2))
- A has laid a club on the ground along the feet. B's coin marks the spot, C is still holding the club, and D shows someone attending the flagstick. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(3))

### Test 3: The caddie's restricted area

- It applies from when the player begins taking the stance, with at least one foot in position, until the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- The zone runs back from the ball, opposite the target, hugging that extended direction. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- Standing there to help with aiming is a breach even if the caddie moves away before the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- There is no penalty if the player backs away and the caddie leaves before the stance is taken again. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- Help other than aiming allows the caddie in the area if they move away before the stroke and it is not part of a routine. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- There is no penalty if the caddie was inadvertently standing in the restricted area. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- The Rule does not stop someone other than the caddie standing there to help follow the ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- Backing away resets things, as long as the caddie is gone before the stance begins again. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- The restriction covers the time from the start of the stance until the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))
- A stands on the extension behind the ball while the player is in the stance. B is to one side, C attends the flagstick, and in D the player has not yet begun a stance. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(4))

### Test 4: Physical help, the elements and one caddie

- A stroke must not be made with the caddie deliberately positioned to protect the player from the elements. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(5))
- Players may take their own actions against the elements, such as protective clothing or holding their own umbrella. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(5))
- A person not deliberately positioned by the player may be asked to stay or to move. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(5))
- A player must not have more than one caddie at any one time. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3a(1))
- Caddies may be changed, but not temporarily for the sole purpose of getting advice from the new one. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3a(1))
- Anyone who carries, transports or handles the player's clubs during play is the player's caddie, named or not. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Caddie; Rule 10.3a(1))
- If no player directed the action and no ball was involved, all players sharing the caddie get the penalty. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3a(2))
- Shelter is fine until the stroke; the caddie must not still be holding it there while the stroke is made. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(5))
- The general penalty applies for each hole during which the player had more than one caddie. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3a, Penalty)
- In A the caddie shelters the player during the swing. B relies on their own waterproofs, C's caddie is well away, and D is sheltered while reading a putt, not during a stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.2b(5))

### Test 5: What a caddie may and may not do

- Searching is on the list of actions a caddie may always take; dropping, conceding and deciding on relief are not. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b(1))
- A caddie may not drop or place a ball in taking relief; the player must do it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b(3); Rule 14.3b)
- On the putting green the caddie may mark, lift and replace the ball, and may replace a ball they lifted. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b(1); Rule 14.2b)
- Off the green this lift needs the player's specific authorisation each time; without it the player gets one stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b(2); Rule 14.1b)
- Conceding a stroke, a hole or the match is one of the things a caddie may not do. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b(3); Rule 3.2b)
- The player answers for the caddie during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, but not before or after. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3c)
- Where a Rule depends on what the player knows, their knowledge includes whatever the caddie knows. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3c)
- The caddie may advise, but the player decides; once that is clear the caddie may lift, and the player drops. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b)
- Authorisation must be given for that lift, not generally for the round. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b(2))
- Dropping a ball in a relief area (B) is for the player alone. Raking a bunker (A), marking and lifting on the green (C) and searching (D) are allowed. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.3b)

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 10, the Definitions and the Additional Clarifications (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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