Golfer's Talk » golf rules http://golferstalk.co.uk A golf blog providing golf updates, tips and information. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:14:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 en hourly 1 Essential Golf Etiquettes http://golferstalk.co.uk/golf-tips/essential-golf-etiquettes/ http://golferstalk.co.uk/golf-tips/essential-golf-etiquettes/#comments Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:28:31 +0000 Mike http://golferstalk.co.uk/?p=170 No matter what the game is, adopting proper etiquettes is an essential part of it, and golf is no exception. The golfers must be aware of certain rules that they need to keep in mind while playing the game. These include manners which help in making the game safe for the players, keeping pace of the play and keeping the field of play (the golf course) in order.

Here are the ones which are most important:

  • When swinging your club (playing a stroke), make sure that all the others, including your opponent are at a safe distance. Likewise, you should stay at a safe distance too when he hits the ball.
  • If a player plays a wrong stroke that is mistakenly aimed at anyone, shout ‘Fore’ which is an internationally known word to warn players of an error in a stroke.
  • When playing a stroke, make sure that everyone, including the audience, is out of your stroke’s range.
  • Practice your swing in a safe spot, away from other players.
  • Follow the safety instructions listed in the golf cart.
  • Keep track of your emotions and never let them make you too childish things such as throwing your club.
  • Make proper preparations and make sure that you take your stroke immediately when your turn arrives.
  • Try your best to keep pace with the group ahead of you or behind you.
  • Don’t waste too much time in finding a lost ball. Incase you decide to follow the rule (five minutes are allotted to find the lost ball), make sure you tell the other group to play through.
  • Always take spare (or different sized) clubs with you so that time is not wasted in retrieving them from the cart.
  • Try your best to keep the golf cart out of the green patches and hazards.
  • Take care (or repair) the areas, including the green and bunkers, after you play your stroke.
  • Do not take a divot on while practicing swings.
  • Do not talk when the game is in progress, and especially when the other player is taking his stroke.
  • Keep your excitement level under control. Do not shout or yell under it.
  • Be extremely cautious with other player’s putting line. Do not cross it or walk through it as it can damage it.

    • These are some basic etiquette that you must keep in mind while playing. They help in making the game comfortable and more fun.

    ]]> http://golferstalk.co.uk/golf-tips/essential-golf-etiquettes/feed/ 1 The First Rules of Golf http://golferstalk.co.uk/golf-trivia/the-first-rules-of-golf/ http://golferstalk.co.uk/golf-trivia/the-first-rules-of-golf/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:55:30 +0000 Mike http://golferstalk.co.uk/?p=145 Golf was not made official until the 18th century, year 1744 to be precise. At that time, all the then known rules of the game were written properly by the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith (who are now known as the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers).

    Thirteen of the originally written down rules of golf are stated here:

    • The ball must be tee-ed when the length of the ‘hole’ equals the length of the club. The modern day definition of ‘teeing grounds’ is the length equal to two club lengths in depth.
    • The tee should be on the ground. Originally, tees were small pyramid structures which were made of sand.
    • The ball, once you tee it, should not be changed’. This version of the rule (of not changing the golf ball until after holing it) can be found in modern-day golf also.
    • Anything obstructing the way of the ball should be removed (until and unless it is on the fair green).
    • If the ball lands in water, it should be removed from and placed behind the hazard for the next stroke. However, a stroke should be given to the opponent when the ball is fetched.
    • If two balls touch each other at any time during the game play, the first ball should be kept lifted until the second one is played.
    • One must not try to hit the opponent’s ball with his own when they both are close to the target (hole).
    • If a player is somehow unable to get the same ball back after a stroke, he must go back to the spot where he last played with that ball, and drop another ball there. Also, the opponent should be given a bonus stroke for the misfortune.
    • When the ball is close to the hole, a player is not allowed to use a club or any other related thing to measure or mark its distance from the hole.
    • If the ball is stopped by any obstacle, it must be played from where it lies.
    • If the club is drawn for a stroke (and goes as far as very close to striking the ball), if it breaks somehow, it is considered a stroke. This is a part of the modern day definition of stroke.
    • The player whose ball lies the farthest from the hole is allowed to play the first stroke.
    • Anything that can be counted as the part of ground repair should be treated as a hazard and dealt with accordingly.

    All these rules are incorporated in the modern-day golf rulebook in some way or the other. The R&A and the United States Golf Association meet every two years for setting a uniform set of rules for the game of golf.

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