| The game of golf is not only physically but also | | | | reading the rules, it is a good idea for you to |
| mentally challenging. It is a strategic game that | | | | mark which golf ball you will be using, which will |
| has many fans around the world. Golf is played by | | | | make it easier for you to identify it. Several |
| hitting a golf ball using golf clubs on an area called | | | | golfers may be suing the same brand of golf balls |
| the teeing ground. Once the ball has been hit, it will | | | | as you, In this case, it would be easy to see |
| travel along fairways and into the next prepared | | | | which golf ball belongs to you. |
| area, where a hole is found. This prepared area is | | | | Before you start, make sure you have counted |
| known as the putting green. | | | | your golf clubs. You are allowed a maximum of |
| Simply put, the target of the game is of course | | | | fourteen golf clubs. |
| to put the ball into the hole in as few hits as | | | | When beginning the actual play, make sure you |
| possible. This means that a golfer has to complete | | | | tee off in front of your tee markers. Should your |
| the hole by hitting the golf ball from the teeing | | | | tee off be a little bit off, or outside of the area |
| ground into the hole in the putting green using the | | | | specified, you may be asked to repeat your |
| golf club in as little strokes as possible. A round of | | | | stroke. If this happens in a match play, then you |
| golf usually means a play of 18 holes. | | | | are lucky as there will be no penalty for you. |
| There are two basically two kinds of play in golf. | | | | However, if this happens in a stroke play, then |
| In the match play, the winner is determined | | | | you are given a two-stroke penalty. That is why |
| according to the number of holes lost and won. In | | | | it is important for you to tee off in the specified |
| the other kind of play, which is the stroke play, | | | | area. |
| the winner is the golfer who uses the least | | | | When you are playing, should your ball lie in a |
| number of strokes to complete a round. | | | | water hazard or a bunker, remember not to hit |
| In playing the game, there are two very | | | | or touch the water or bunker in any way before |
| fundamental rules to adhere to: Play the course | | | | you do your downswing. |
| as you find it; and play the ball as it is found. | | | | The ball should never be spooned or pushed: it |
| Should the rules above be difficult for you to | | | | should always be struck fairly. |
| follow, keep in mind that you should at least play | | | | It is all right if you want to mark the ball that you |
| fair at all times. How do you determine what is | | | | are using. You could also clean your ball: just lift it, |
| fair and what is not? Read on and find out some | | | | clean and put it back exactly where it was |
| rules which will give you a greater understanding | | | | previously. |
| on how to be a fair player in playing golf. | | | | In the case of dropping a ball, the best way to do |
| Basic Golf Courtesy | | | | so would be to stand straight and to hold your |
| Do not stand, move or talk too close to a golfer | | | | golf ball at the length of your shoulder, and to |
| who is about to make a stroke. | | | | drop it gently. Should you, in dropping the ball, |
| Play without any delay. Leave as soon as the | | | | happen to strike another player, the caddie or |
| other members in your group leave. | | | | even yourself, you must drop the ball again. This |
| Try your best to play when everyone in your | | | | is done with no penalty. |
| group is already out of the way. | | | | It would also be all right for you to pick up your |
| Try to replace the divots as much as you can. | | | | ball if by doing so you would assist another player. |
| And if you have walked into a bunker, don't | | | | On the other hand, you may also lift any other |
| forget to smooth out all your footprints. | | | | ball if that ball is interfering with your playing or |
| It is not advisable for you to drop your golf clubs | | | | another player. |
| on the putting green, so avoid it at all cost. | | | | By remembering the basic rules of golf as well as |
| Rules to Playing Golf | | | | the basic common courtesies of playing golf fairly, |
| Before you start on your round of golf, take | | | | you will make the game more enjoyable for you |
| some time to read the local rules which are | | | | and others. |
| stated on the scorecard that you hold. After | | | | |