Rules FAQ — Quick Summary
This is a plain-English guide to the most common rules questions. Local Rules posted by the Pro Shop / Men’s Club for the day always take precedence. Tip: If you’re unsure how to proceed in stroke play and can’t get a quick ruling, you can protect the field by using the “play two balls” procedure.Jump to a topic
- Lost Ball / Out of Bounds / Provisional
- Penalty Areas (Red / Yellow)
- Unplayable Ball (including bunker option)
- Cart Path / GUR / Temporary Water / Embedded Ball
- Bunkers
- Loose Impediments & Movable Obstructions
- Putting Green
- Ball Moved at Rest
- Dropping Basics
- Pace of Play / Ready Golf
- If You’re Not Sure (Stroke Play): Play Two Balls
Lost Ball / Out of Bounds / Provisional
- Lost or OB: Add 1 penalty stroke and play again from the previous spot (stroke-and-distance). Search time is 3 minutes.
- Provisional: Allowed if your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be OB—announce “provisional” before you play it.
- Optional Local Rule (E-5): If the Committee adopts it, there’s an alternative to stroke-and-distance for 2 penalty strokes.
Penalty Areas (Red / Yellow)
- You may play the ball as it lies (no penalty), or take relief for 1 penalty stroke.
- Relief options depend on whether the penalty area is marked red or yellow.
Unplayable Ball (including bunker option)
- You may declare your ball unplayable anywhere except a penalty area.
- Standard unplayable relief is 1 penalty stroke (3 options: stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, lateral).
- If in a bunker: You can take the 1-stroke options in the bunker, or take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for 2 penalty strokes.
Cart Path / GUR / Temporary Water / Embedded Ball
- These are “abnormal course conditions.” If they interfere with your lie, stance, or intended swing, you typically get free relief (0 penalty) (except in a penalty area).
- Relief is usually based on the nearest point of complete relief and dropping in the relief area.
Bunkers
- Bunkers are meant to test playing from sand—there are restrictions on touching the sand before your stroke.
- You may remove loose impediments and movable obstructions in a bunker (don’t improve conditions for your stroke).
Loose Impediments & Movable Obstructions
- In general, you may move them anywhere on the course.
- If your ball moves while moving a movable obstruction: usually no penalty, replace the ball.
- If your ball moves while moving a loose impediment: you often get 1 penalty stroke (with limited exceptions), and must replace the ball.
Putting Green
- You may mark, lift, and clean your ball on the putting green.
- You may repair certain types of damage on the putting green.
- Some actions that would be penalties elsewhere may be treated differently on the green—know the basics.
Ball Moved at Rest
- If your ball is moved by natural forces (wind/water), you usually play it from the new spot.
- If it’s lifted or moved by a person/outside influence, it generally must be replaced (penalty depends on the situation).
Dropping Basics
- Drop straight down from knee height.
- The ball must land and come to rest in the relief area (or you re-drop / follow the procedure in Rule 14).
Pace of Play / Ready Golf
- Play promptly and avoid unreasonable delay.
- “Ready golf” is encouraged in stroke play when done safely and responsibly.
If You’re Not Sure (Stroke Play): Play Two Balls
- If you can’t get a ruling in reasonable time, you must decide how to proceed and play on.
- In stroke play, you can protect the field by playing two balls and reporting the facts to the Committee afterward.
More official resources: USGA Rules Hub — Topics Index All linked pages above are from the official USGA Rules Hub and official Rule pages.