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Golf Tips For Beginners
Golf Rules And Players' Responsibilities
(Rules 6 to 9)
Rules 6 to 9 cover players' responsibilities and are a lengthy set of rules which are broken down into a number of sub-sections:
It should be noted here that both the player and his caddie are responsible for compliance with the rules of golf and that the player will be penalized for a breach of the rules by the caddie.
Rule 6. Handicap.
Players are responsible for knowing the handicap to which they are entitled and the holes on a particular course to which such handicap may be applied.
Starting Times And Group Play.
Players must start at times specified by the club committee and must remain with the playing group, unless the committee allows a player to leave the group under specific circumstances.
Caddies.
The rules permit a player to be accompanied by a caddie if he or she so wishes but limit a player to only one caddie at any time during play. In competition, committees may prohibit the use of caddies or restrict a player's choice of caddie.
Balls.
It is the responsibility of individual players to ensure that they play the correct ball and, if necessary, the rules stipulate that players should mark their ball for the purpose of identification.
Scoring In Stroke Play
After each hole the marker should check the score for the hole with the competitor and record the score on a score card. At the completion of the round the marker must sign the score card and hand it to the competitor who must in turn check it, sign it and hand it to the appropriate committee member.
The competitor is responsible for ensuring that his score card is correct and may not make any alterations to it once it has been handed to the appropriate committee member.
Delayed Or Slow Play.
Players are responsible for ensuring that there is no undue delay in the speed of play and for complying with any local rules laid down by the committee for the speed of play on a particular course.
Discontinuance And Resumption Of Play.
A player is not permitted to discontinue play unless:
- The committee suspends play.
- He believes that he is at threat from being struck by lightening.
- He is awaiting a ruling from the committee on a disputed or doubtful point.
- He has a very good reason for doing so, such as the sudden and unexpected onset of illness.
Players may discontinue play in match play with the mutual consent of all of the players concerned, provided such discontinuance does not delay a competition.
Where play is discontinued this rule also lays down the procedures for such discontinuance covering such things as lifting balls and resuming play.
Rule 7. Practice.
In the case of match play, a player may practice on the competition course on the day of a match play competition. In the case of stroke play, a player is not permitted to practice on the competition course on the day of competition or subsequent days when the competition spans several days.
A player must not make a practice stroke during the play of a hole. In addition, a player must not make a practice stroke between holes with the exception that he may practice chipping or putting on or near:
- the putting green of the hole which has just been completed.
- a practice putting green.
- the teeing ground of the next hole to be played.
Rule 8. Giving Advice And Indicating The Line Of Play.
During a stipulated round a player must not give advice to anyone on the course playing in the competition except for his playing partner. In addition, a player must not ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or his or his partner's caddie.
Other than on the putting green, a player may seek the advice of anyone as to the line of play but may not use anyone to act as a marker to assist in taking a stroke. An exception to this rule applies in the case of having a flagstick held up or attended.
On the putting green a player's partner or either caddie may point out the line of play before but not while the putt is being made, but in doing so they must not touch or otherwise mark the putting surface.
Rule 9. Information Concerning Strokes Taken.
During match play an opponent is entitled to enquire about the number of strokes a player has taken during the play of a hole and also to enquire about the number of strokes taken for any hole which has just been completed.
In the case of stroke play, a player should inform his marker as soon as is practical whenever he incurs a penalty.
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