Essential Rules Every Golfer Should Know (On-Course Basics)

Golf is one of the few sports where players are expected to call penalties on themselves. That’s why having a solid understanding of the basic rules isn’t just for professionals — it’s essential for every golfer who wants to play with integrity and keep the game fair.

But let’s face it: the full Rules of Golf book is over 200 pages long. If you’re a casual player or weekend warrior, you don’t need to memorize every detail — you just need to know the rules that come up most often during a typical round.

This article will walk you through the essential on-course rules every golfer should know, from what to do when you hit a ball out of bounds to how to handle an unplayable lie.

You’ll gain confidence, avoid costly penalty strokes, and keep your group moving smoothly by knowing exactly how to handle the most common situations.

Let’s start with one of golf’s golden rules — play it as it lies.

Play the Ball as It Lies

One of the most fundamental rules in golf is also one of the simplest: you must play the ball as it lies. This means you’re not allowed to move, touch, or improve the position of your ball — unless the rules specifically allow relief.

If your ball ends up in a divot, on bare dirt, under a tree, or nestled in thick rough, you’re expected to play it from there. No fluffing the grass, pressing down behind the ball, or moving branches to get a better swing.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are a few situations where the rules do allow you to move your ball:

• Abnormal course conditions (like temporary water, ground under repair, or animal holes)
• Embedded ball (in general area or rough, not sand)
• Interference by obstructions (like cart paths or sprinkler heads)
• When the rules specifically allow relief (such as for a penalty drop)

In those cases, you can follow the proper drop procedure and play from a new position — but only after confirming that relief is allowed under the rules.

Quick Tip

Before moving your ball for any reason, ask yourself: “Am I entitled to relief here?” If you’re unsure, play two balls under Rule 20.1c and get a ruling afterward if you’re in a formal competition.

Order of Play and Ready Golf

Traditionally, golf has a set order of who plays first, but in recent years, the rules have adapted to encourage faster, more enjoyable rounds. Knowing when it’s your turn — and when it’s okay to go ahead — can help keep your group moving and avoid confusion.

Traditional Order of Play

In stroke play, the player who is farthest from the hole plays first. On the tee box, the player with the lowest score on the previous hole (the “honor”) hits first.

In match play, order matters more strategically — hitting out of turn can lead to penalties if your opponent chooses to make you replay.

What Is “Ready Golf”?

“Ready Golf” is a pace-of-play-friendly approach that encourages golfers to hit when they’re ready and it’s safe, regardless of traditional order.

Examples of Ready Golf:

• You’re prepared to hit while another player is still deciding on a club
• You’ve reached your ball and the players farther out are still walking to theirs
• You’re ready on the tee while others are distracted or not set up yet

Ready Golf is not only allowed — it’s encouraged by the USGA and R&A in casual rounds and many amateur tournaments.

Etiquette Tip

Even when playing Ready Golf, be respectful. Let others know you’re going ahead, and avoid creating distractions when someone else is preparing to hit.

Lost Ball and Out of Bounds

Few situations in golf are more frustrating than losing a ball or watching it sail out of bounds. But knowing the correct rules — and how to proceed — can save you strokes and speed up your round.

Lost Ball Rule

A ball is considered lost if it’s not found within 3 minutes of starting your search. This was reduced from 5 minutes in a recent rules update to help with pace of play.

If you hit a shot and suspect it might be lost, the best option is to declare and hit a provisional ball before you walk forward. If your original ball is found in bounds, you can pick up the provisional. If not, the provisional becomes your ball in play — saving you a long walk back to the tee.

If you didn’t hit a provisional and your ball is lost, the rules require stroke and distance:

• Return to the spot of the previous shot
• Add one penalty stroke
• Hit again

Out of Bounds (OB)

Out of bounds is usually marked by white stakes or painted lines. If your ball crosses the boundary — even if it lands in bounds but rolls OB — it’s considered out.

Just like a lost ball, the penalty is:

• Stroke and distance — go back to the previous spot and replay the shot with a one-stroke penalty

You cannot drop near where the ball went out of bounds. This is one of the most misunderstood rules.

Local Rule Option

Many courses now offer a Local Rule for OB and lost balls that allows you to drop near the point where the ball was lost or went OB (with a 2-stroke penalty).

Check the scorecard or ask the pro shop — this rule is for pace-of-play in casual rounds and isn’t allowed in most tournaments.

Unplayable Lies

Sometimes your ball ends up in a spot so bad that playing it would be risky, damaging to your club, or just plain impossible — like under a bush, against a tree root, or nestled in thick weeds. When this happens, you’re allowed to declare the ball unplayable and take relief — even if you could technically swing at it.

What You Need to Know

• Only you, the player, can declare your ball unplayable
• You can declare any ball unplayable, anywhere on the course except in a penalty area
• Taking relief comes with a one-stroke penalty, and you have three relief options

Your Three Relief Options:

1. Stroke and Distance Relief
   • Return to the spot of your previous shot and replay
   • Add one penalty stroke
2. Back-on-the-Line Relief
   • Drop behind the unplayable spot in line with the hole
   • Go back as far as you want along that line
   • Drop within one club length of that spot
3. Lateral Relief (within two club lengths)
   • Drop the ball within two club lengths of where it lies
   • Cannot be closer to the hole
   • Often used when near a bush, tree, or cart path

Pro Tip

Unplayable relief is often the smartest move. Trying to be a hero from a terrible lie can lead to double or triple bogeys. Know when to take your medicine, drop, and move on.

Taking a Drop (Proper Relief Procedure)

Whether you’re taking relief from a cart path, an unplayable lie, or a penalty area, knowing how to properly drop the ball is key to following the rules — and avoiding extra penalty strokes.

How to Drop Correctly

Since 2019, the rules have changed:

• You must drop the ball from knee height, not shoulder height
• The ball must land and come to rest in the relief area
• If it rolls outside the relief area, you must drop again
• If it happens a second time, place the ball where it touched the ground on the second drop

Knee height means standing straight and holding the ball at the height of your knee — not bending over or squatting.

What Is a Relief Area?

The relief area is the space where your ball is allowed to land and come to rest after a drop. Its size depends on the type of relief:

• Free relief (e.g., from cart paths, ground under repair):
  • Drop within 1 club length from the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole
• Penalty relief (e.g., unplayable lie, penalty area):
  • Depending on the rule used, relief can be 1 or 2 club lengths, or back on a line

Use your longest club (not your putter) to measure the club lengths.

Common Mistake to Avoid

If you drop from shoulder height or drop outside the relief area, it’s a rule violation. Always rehearse your drop location before releasing the ball.

Wrong Ball Penalty

Hitting the wrong ball is one of the more embarrassing mistakes a golfer can make — and it comes with a penalty, too. Whether it happens in the fairway, rough, or even in the trees, it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re hitting your golf ball.

What Counts as a Wrong Ball?

A wrong ball is:

• Any ball that is not your own in play, except a stray provisional or second ball under a rule
• This includes hitting a partner’s ball, a practice ball, or a lost ball someone else found

If you hit a wrong ball, the rules are very clear — and strict.

Penalty for Hitting the Wrong Ball

• Stroke Play:
  • Two-stroke penalty
  • You must correct the mistake by returning to your original ball and playing the correct shot
  • If you don’t correct the mistake before teeing off on the next hole, you’re disqualified
• Match Play:
  • Loss of hole

How to Avoid It

• Always mark your golf balls with a unique identifier (dots, lines, initials)
• Check your ball before hitting — even if it’s “definitely yours”
• If in doubt, ask your playing partners or lift the ball to confirm (following the proper marking rules)

Pro Tip: If you hit a ball and suddenly feel unsure it was yours — stop immediately and clarify before playing another shot. That could save you a penalty or disqualification.

Basic Penalty Situations to Know

Understanding common penalties helps you avoid them — or at least apply them correctly when they happen. While the Rules of Golf can get complex, most penalties you’ll encounter fall into just a few categories.

Stroke and Distance (1-Stroke Penalty)

• Applies when your ball is lost, out of bounds, or you take unplayable relief
• You add one stroke and replay from the original spot

Penalty Area Relief (1-Stroke Penalty)

• For balls in red or yellow penalty areas (formerly water hazards)
• Add one stroke and take relief using designated options (lateral, back-on-the-line, etc.)

Wrong Ball (2-Stroke Penalty in Stroke Play)

• You must correct the error or be disqualified
• In match play, it’s loss of hole

Playing from the Wrong Place (2-Stroke Penalty)

• Includes improper drops or hitting from outside the teeing area
• Often happens when players don’t measure their relief area correctly

Double Penalties Rare — But Possible

Most situations only result in a single penalty stroke, even if they feel costly. However, there are rare cases where you could incur multiple penalties on one shot, such as hitting a wrong ball and also from a wrong location.

Pro Tip: When unsure, play a second ball under Rule 20.1c and ask a rules official or playing partner for help after the round (especially in tournament settings).

Conclusion

Golf is one of the only sports where players are both competitors and referees — which makes knowing the rules not just helpful, but essential.

By understanding the basic rules covered in this article, you’ll play more confidently, avoid unnecessary penalties, and be better prepared for anything that happens on the course.

Whether you’re dealing with a lost ball, unplayable lie, or navigating an out-of-bounds situation, having clarity on how to proceed can save you strokes and keep your group moving.

You don’t need to memorize the entire rulebook — just focus on the scenarios that come up most often during casual play.

Keep this guide handy, mark your golf balls, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or double-check a rule when something unfamiliar comes up. Golf is challenging enough — knowing the rules just gives you one less thing to stress about.

Golf Practice Plans to Follow

• How to Score in the 60’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 70’s Golf Training Plan
• How to Score in the 80’s Golf Training Plan
• All Access: Get Every Practice Plan (Lifetime Membership)

Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor