Free Golf Lessons: Tips for Beginners on Golf Rules

Golf is one of the best games to play. It feels so refreshing seeing the ball roll over the green grass, fly and leave a streak on the blue sky, or fly over the crystal waters or over the lush bushes and trees.

Nowadays, playing golf is not that hard. There is no need going back to a local college to get a simple lesson about it. One just has to approach the World Wide Web for free golf lessons online.

One important thing being reiterated in free golf lessons is the rules of the game. It is indeed necessary to know the rules before entering a game as it is a basic thing that a player must know. Golf is not merely about swinging, hooking and slicing; it has standards. Golf authorities (USGA and R&A) came up with rules for the game.

Here are your lessons on golf rules:

Match and stroke play –A golfer should have marked balls with identification, no more than 14 clubs, and any tool to help with grip and any paraphernalia for measuring distance or condition. Balls may be replaced if it becomes unfit for play. Advice can just be asked from or given to a partner or caddy. Stroke practices are not allowed, only swing practices, but both are not allowed from a hazard. Delays should be avoided.

Order of play – (1) First player is determined through a lot or draw. (2) In match plays, ball furthest from the hole is always played first. Hole winner is the first to tee off at the next hole. (3) In stroke play, ball further from the hole is also the first player. But, the competitor with lowest score tees off first at the next hole. (4) In the four ball competition, players play in the preferred order.

Teeing ground - The rule is to tee off within a length of two club behind the front edges of the tee markers. For match play, there’s no penalty; golfers teeing off outside the area may replay the stroke by their opponent. In stroke play, it sustains two-stroke penalty that the golfer must replay the stroke from the proper location.

Ball play – The ball is played where it lies; no touching but just playing it the way it is found. No attempts for play line improvement like extending beyond the hole, moving anything, or breaking or bending fixed objects is allowed. There should be no stance building. Ball should be struck with the club head; no pushing or scarping. In a match play, playing a wrong ball means losing the hole. For a stroke play, it means two-stroke penalty but you play the right ball.

Putting green – The putt line should not be touched. Ball marks and old hole-plugs can be fixed on line except for spike marks. It can be cleaned on the green but must be returned to its spot. No surface testing is allowed. For a match play, a played ball from the putting green that hits the flagstick loses the hole. In a stroke play, player earns two-stroke penalty.

These are the basic rules. Learn more about rules on resting ball that moves, deflected or stopped moving ball, interferences, obstructions, and others.