Player’s Edition of the
Rules of Golf
Effective January 2019
,Player’s Edition of the
Rules of Golf
as approved by
Golf Canada,
R&A Rules Limited, and
The United States Golf Association
Effective January 2019
© 2018 R&A Rules Limited and The United States Golf Association.
Golf Canada has the exclusive right to govern, publish and distribute
the Rules of Golf throughout Canada.
All rights reserved
Printed in Canada
,2 Introduction
Introduction
The “Player’s Edition of the Rules of the Golf” is the publication to be
circulated to golfers worldwide. It is not a quick guide, but rather is an
abridged version of the Rules of Golf that is written with a focus on you,
the golfer.
Here are some of the key elements of the Player’s Edition:
•• It is a functioning Rule book. It looks like the full Rules of Golf, with
generally the same organization. Although its text is edited, it gives
you the same answer that is in the full Rules of Golf.
•• It focuses on the Rules that are most relevant to you as a player.
This includes the Rules that describe the essential characteristics of
golf - for example, playing by the Rules and in the spirit of the game,
the different parts of the course and the equipment you may use -
and the most commonly used Rules.
•• Although it does not cover some of the less frequently occurring
situations, it indicates that there is further information on the
subject in the full Rules of Golf, with the following reference icon:
This icon means that you should refer to the full Rules of Golf
(either in printed format or via The R&A’s Rules of Golf app or
website – RandA.org), or consult with the Committee for an
explanation of that situation.
•• It is written in a style that refers to “you” the golfer. This golfer-
focused style is another key step in making the Rules more user-
friendly.
•• Diagrams and charts are included to help visually explain the Rules.
The Player’s Edition aims to present the Rules in a way that is more
easily understood and focused on what you, the golfer, need to know
to play by the Rules.
, Contents 3
Contents
Foreword 8
How to Use the Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf 15
I. Fundamentals of the Game (Rules 1-4) 17
Rule 1 – The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules 18
1.1 The Game of Golf 18
1.2 Standards of Player Conduct 18
1.3 Playing by the Rules 19
Rule 2 – The Course 20
2.1 Course Boundaries and Out of Bounds 20
2.2 Defined Areas of the Course 20
2.3 Objects or Conditions That Can Interfere with Your Play 21
2.4 No Play Zones 21
Rule 3 – The Competition 22
3.1 Central Elements of Every Competition 22
3.2 Match Play 23
3.3 Stroke Play 25
Rule 4 – The Player’s Equipment 28
4.1 Clubs 28
4.2 Balls 30
4.3 Use of Equipment 31
II. Playing the Round and a Hole (Rules 5-6) 33
Rule 5 – Playing the Round 34
5.1 Meaning of Round 34
5.2 Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds 34
5.3 Starting and Ending Round 35
5.4 Playing in Groups 36
5.5 Practising During Round or While Play is Stopped 36
5.6 Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play 36
5.7 Stopping Play; Resuming Play 37
Rules of Golf
Effective January 2019
,Player’s Edition of the
Rules of Golf
as approved by
Golf Canada,
R&A Rules Limited, and
The United States Golf Association
Effective January 2019
© 2018 R&A Rules Limited and The United States Golf Association.
Golf Canada has the exclusive right to govern, publish and distribute
the Rules of Golf throughout Canada.
All rights reserved
Printed in Canada
,2 Introduction
Introduction
The “Player’s Edition of the Rules of the Golf” is the publication to be
circulated to golfers worldwide. It is not a quick guide, but rather is an
abridged version of the Rules of Golf that is written with a focus on you,
the golfer.
Here are some of the key elements of the Player’s Edition:
•• It is a functioning Rule book. It looks like the full Rules of Golf, with
generally the same organization. Although its text is edited, it gives
you the same answer that is in the full Rules of Golf.
•• It focuses on the Rules that are most relevant to you as a player.
This includes the Rules that describe the essential characteristics of
golf - for example, playing by the Rules and in the spirit of the game,
the different parts of the course and the equipment you may use -
and the most commonly used Rules.
•• Although it does not cover some of the less frequently occurring
situations, it indicates that there is further information on the
subject in the full Rules of Golf, with the following reference icon:
This icon means that you should refer to the full Rules of Golf
(either in printed format or via The R&A’s Rules of Golf app or
website – RandA.org), or consult with the Committee for an
explanation of that situation.
•• It is written in a style that refers to “you” the golfer. This golfer-
focused style is another key step in making the Rules more user-
friendly.
•• Diagrams and charts are included to help visually explain the Rules.
The Player’s Edition aims to present the Rules in a way that is more
easily understood and focused on what you, the golfer, need to know
to play by the Rules.
, Contents 3
Contents
Foreword 8
How to Use the Player’s Edition of the Rules of Golf 15
I. Fundamentals of the Game (Rules 1-4) 17
Rule 1 – The Game, Player Conduct and the Rules 18
1.1 The Game of Golf 18
1.2 Standards of Player Conduct 18
1.3 Playing by the Rules 19
Rule 2 – The Course 20
2.1 Course Boundaries and Out of Bounds 20
2.2 Defined Areas of the Course 20
2.3 Objects or Conditions That Can Interfere with Your Play 21
2.4 No Play Zones 21
Rule 3 – The Competition 22
3.1 Central Elements of Every Competition 22
3.2 Match Play 23
3.3 Stroke Play 25
Rule 4 – The Player’s Equipment 28
4.1 Clubs 28
4.2 Balls 30
4.3 Use of Equipment 31
II. Playing the Round and a Hole (Rules 5-6) 33
Rule 5 – Playing the Round 34
5.1 Meaning of Round 34
5.2 Practising on Course Before or Between Rounds 34
5.3 Starting and Ending Round 35
5.4 Playing in Groups 36
5.5 Practising During Round or While Play is Stopped 36
5.6 Unreasonable Delay; Prompt Pace of Play 36
5.7 Stopping Play; Resuming Play 37
