Golf Rules: Twenty That Aren’t in the Book!
Don’t whip out the Rules of Golf in the middle of your round.
It’s probably true that a 20% golf rules knowledge level will get you through 80% of the situations you’ll encounter on the golf course. It’s also true that it’s considered poor form to whip out a Rules book in the middle of a round and hold up play while you thumb through that pesky little, unindexed USGA or R&A publication to locate the justification you need to impose a 1-shot penalty on your playing partner.
Golfers should have a working knowledge of the Rules. As students of the game – and all golfers are expected to be students of the game – we do need to make an effort to know the Rules of Golf. Here: take the USGA’s test.
But given our knowledge deficiencies, it’s best to reserve the technical review of rule questions and infractions for a 19th hole discussion or refer the matter to the tournament committee. The golf course is for playing the game, not debating the Rules.
Remember: Ignorance of the Rules will not excuse you from an infraction. Don’t get hit with a 2-stroke penalty because you didn’t know a rule. Nobody needs that on their card.
Next: Know the Other Rules, Too