Welcome to the USGA’s Rules 101! This first lesson gives you an overview of the game of golf and a brief introduction as to what makes both the Rules of Golf and the game itself uniquely different from other sports.
What is Golf?
The game of golf is very simple in its basic concept: a series of strokes with a club from the teeing area into the hole. You’ll repeat the process on 18 or fewer holes, depending on the length of the round set by the Committee.
There are two fundamental principles that guide the Rules of the game and how it is played which will be repeated throughout: you must play the course as you find it and you must play the ball as it lies.
This means you have to accept the bad lies along with the good and you don’t get to change your situation just because you don’t like it. There will be times when you get to alter certain conditions or play the ball from somewhere else, but those circumstances are the exceptions and not the Rule.
A Different Kind of Game
In most sports, players are trying their best to gain every possible advantage over another player or team and attempt to get away with breaches of the Rules. Gamesmanship and other tactics are expected and referees are necessary, not just to assist but specifically to enforce and call penalties.
Golf is a bit different. You are expected to follow the Rules and apply your own penalties. You’re expected to show consideration for other players by not attempting to deliberately distract them and it is your responsibility to help take care of the course. Can you imagine if football players were expected to repair the damage created to the field by their play?
A Committee can even decide upon an even higher standard of conduct by implementing its own code of conduct. This could include stroke penalties for foul language or other behaviors that are not in the spirit of the game.
