Playing Golf

Golf  is one beautiful game where you use both your concentration and strength. While playing golf it is essential that one must play within their range of skills. Never bid for higher scores as it is really very difficult to play the game. Playing golf within your range must be your priority. Slowly you can improve with time and practice. Because its practice which makes a man perfect and not just telling out to others that you can do more. If it’s just another lucky day for you, then probably everything goes well and you can at least try taking a very small risk. But if it is another bad day for you, then you may make a fool of yourself in front of others. Remember golf is played for relaxation and not for adding gloom to your already loaded life.

Before beginning a new shot, think whether it is perfect for you to try this out. It is better to improve your already existing skills rather than trying out new stuff. If you are not sure of this shot, then keep it for another day when all things around you go perfect. It is essential that you understand that playing golf within your range makes you an improved golfer. The most important thing in playing golf is that you are able to control your senses and emotions in the pit. You need to understand that it’s just another game and should no show off your attitude. You must know how to cut corners sensibly and must not end up making a fool of your own self.

If you are not accustomed with playing golf but still interested in playing it. You can get information regarding the same in varieties of sites displayed online. You can get information’s regarding the same in golf training programs in your nearby vicinity. The most important factor to become a good golfer is strength, concentration and of course playing golf within your range. Remember it’s simply not just a game of ball and hole, rather its one big game where you thoroughly enjoy and put your skills to play. Play golf only if you are interested because golf has its own dignity to be maintained and maintaining the dignity is the real duty of every interested golfer in this world. It is one such game which is sure to improve the quality of your life.

15-1. General
A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing
ground unless the ball is lost, out of bounds or the player
substitutes another ball, whether or not substitution is
permitted (see Rule 15-2). If a player plays a wrong ball, see
Rule 15-3.

15-2. Substituted Ball
A player may substitute a ball when proceeding under a Rule
that permits the player to play, drop or place another ball in
completing the play of a hole. The substituted ball becomes the
ball in play.
If a player substitutes a ball when not permitted to do so under
the Rules, that substituted ball is not a wrong ball; it becomes
the ball in play. If the mistake is not corrected as provided in
Rule 20-6 and the player makes a stroke at a wrongly
substituted ball, he incurs the penalty prescribed by the
applicable Rule and, in stroke play, must play out the hole
with the substituted ball.
(Playing from Wrong Place – see Rule 20-7)

15-3. Wrong Ball
a. Match Play
If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball that is not in a
hazard, he loses the hole.
There is no penalty if a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball
in a hazard. Any strokes made at a wrong ball in a hazard do
not count in the player’s score.
If the wrong ball belongs to another player, its owner must
place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was
first played.
If the player and opponent exchange balls during the play of a
hole, the first to make a stroke at a wrong ball that is not in a
hazard, loses the hole; when this cannot be determined, the
hole must be played out with the balls exchanged.
b. Stroke Play
If a competitor makes a stroke or strokes at a wrong ball that
is not in a hazard, he incurs a penalty of two strokes.
There is no penalty if a competitor makes a stroke at a wrong
ball in a hazard. Any strokes made at a wrong ball in a hazard
do not count in the competitor’s score.
The competitor must correct his mistake by playing the correct
ball or by proceeding under the Rules. If he fails to correct his
mistake before making a stroke on the next teeing ground or,
in the case of the last hole of the round, fails to declare his
intention to correct his mistake before leaving the putting
green, he is disqualified.
Strokes made by a competitor with a wrong ball do not count
in his score.
If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, its owner
must place a ball on the spot from which the wrong ball was
first played.
(Lie of ball to be placed or replaced altered – see Rule 20-3b)
(Spot not determinable – see Rule 20-3c)

14-1. Ball to be Fairly Struck At
The ball must be fairly struck at with the head of the club and
must not be pushed, scraped or spooned.

14-2. Assistance
In making a stroke, a player must not:
a. accept physical assistance or protection from the
elements; or
b. allow his caddie, his partner or his partner’s caddie to
position himself on or close to an extension of the line of
play or the line of putt behind the ball.

14-3. Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment
The R&A reserves the right, at any time, to change the Rules
relating to artificial devices and unusual equipment and make
or change the interpretations relating to these Rules.
A player in doubt as to whether use of an item would
constitute a breach of Rule 14-3 should consult the R&A.
A manufacturer may submit to the R&A a sample of an item
to be manufactured for a ruling as to whether its use during a
stipulated round would cause a player to be in breach of Rule
14-3. The sample becomes the property of the R&A for
reference purposes. If a manufacturer fails to submit a sample
before manufacturing and/or marketing the item, the
manufacturer assumes the risk of a ruling that use of the item
would be contrary to the Rules.
Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round the
player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment:
a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or
conditions that might affect his play; or
c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that:
(i) plain gloves may be worn;
(ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturising agents may
be used; and
(iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around
the grip.

14-4. Striking the Ball More than Once
If a player’s club strikes the ball more than once in the course
of a stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty
stroke, making two strokes in all.

14-5. Playing Moving Ball
A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.
Exceptions:
• Ball falling off tee
• Striking the ball more than once – Rule 14-4
• Ball moving in water – Rule 14-6
When the ball begins to move only after the player has begun
the stroke or the backward movement of his club for the
stroke, he incurs no penalty under this Rule for playing a
moving ball, but he is not exempt from any penalty under the
following Rules:
• Ball at rest moved by player – Rule 18-2a
• Ball at rest moving after address – Rule 18-2b

14-6. Ball Moving in Water
When a ball is moving in water in a water hazard, the player
may, without penalty, make a stroke, but he must not delay
making his stroke in order to allow the wind or current to
improve the position of the ball. A ball moving in water in
a water hazard may be lifted if the player elects to invoke
Rule 26.

13-1. General
The ball must be played as it lies, except as otherwise provided
in the Rules.
(Ball at rest moved – see Rule 18)
13-2. Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or
Line of Play
A player must not improve or allow to be improved:
• the position or lie of his ball,
• the area of his intended stance or swing,
• his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond
the hole, or
• the area in which he is to drop or place a ball,
by any of the following actions:
• moving, bending or breaking anything growing or fixed
(including immovable obstructions and objects defining out
of bounds),
• creating or eliminating irregularities of surface,• removing or pressing down sand, loose soil, replaced divots
or other cut turf placed in position, or
• removing dew, frost or water.
However, the player incurs no penalty if the action occurs:
• in fairly taking his stance,
• in making a stroke or the backward movement of his club
for a stroke and the stroke is made,
• on the teeing ground in creating or eliminating irregularities
of surface (Rule 11-1), or
• on the putting green in removing sand and loose soil or in
repairing damage (Rule 16-1).
The club may be grounded only lightly and must not be
pressed on the ground.
Exception: Ball in hazard – see Rule 13-4.

13-3. Building Stance
A player is entitled to place his feet firmly in taking his stance,
but he must not build a stance.

13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a
ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard)
or that, having been lifted from a hazard, may be dropped or
placed in the hazard, the player must not:
a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard;
b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water
hazard with his hand or a club; or
c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching
the hazard.
Exceptions:
1. Provided nothing is done that constitutes testing the
condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is
no penalty if the player (a) touches the ground in any hazard
or water in a water hazard as a result of or to prevent falling,
in removing an obstruction, in measuring or in retrieving,
lifting, placing or replacing a ball under any Rule or (b) places
his clubs in a hazard.
2. After making the stroke, the player or his caddie may
smooth sand or soil in the hazard, provided that, if the ball is
still in the hazard or has been lifted from the hazard and may
be dropped or placed in the hazard, nothing is done that
improves the lie of the ball or assists the player in his
subsequent play of the hole.
Note: At any time, including at address or in the backward
movement for the stroke, the player may touch with a club or
otherwise any obstruction, any construction declared by the
Committee to be an integral part of the course or any grass,
bush, tree or other growing thing.

12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball
In searching for his ball anywhere on the course, the player
may touch or bend long grass, rushes, bushes, whins, heather
or the like, but only to the extent necessary to find and identify
it, provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball, the
area of his intended stance or swing or his line of play.
A player is not necessarily entitled to see his ball when making
a stroke.
In a hazard, if a ball is believed to be covered by loose
impediments or sand, the player may remove by probing or
raking with a club or otherwise, as many loose impediments or
as much sand as will enable him to see a part of the ball. If an
excess is removed, there is no penalty and the ball must be recovered
so that only a part of it is visible. If the ball is moved
during the removal, there is no penalty; the ball must be
replaced and, if necessary, re-covered. As to removal of loose
impediments outside a hazard, see Rule 23.
If a ball lying in an abnormal ground condition is accidentally
moved during search, there is no penalty; the ball must be
replaced, unless the player elects to proceed under Rule 25-1b.
If the player replaces the ball, he may still proceed under Rule
25-1b if applicable.
If a ball is believed to be lying in water in a water hazard, the
player may probe for it with a club or otherwise. If the ball is
moved in probing, it must be replaced, unless the player elects
to proceed under Rule 26-1. There is no penalty for causing
the ball to move provided the movement of the ball was
directly attributable to the specific act of probing. Otherwise,
the player incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a.

12-2. Identifying Ball
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with
the player. Each player should put an identification mark on
his ball.
Except in a hazard, if a player has reason to believe a ball is
his, he may lift the ball without penalty to identify it.
Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention
to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellowcompetitor
in stroke play and mark the position of the ball.
He may then lift the ball and identify it provided that he gives
his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to
observe the lifting and replacement. The ball must not be
cleaned beyond the extent necessary for identification when
lifted under Rule 12-2. If the player fails to comply with all
or any part of this procedure, or if he lifts his ball for
identification in a hazard, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.
If the lifted ball is the player’s ball he must replace it. If he fails
to do so, he incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule
12-2, but there is no additional penalty under this Rule.

*If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule
12-2, there is no additional penalty under this Rule.