Golf Rules Guru
Helping the ordinary golfer understand and apply the Rules of Golf
Most of the posts on this site are from what I have seen on the golf course as a player, referee, spectator, or TV viewer. A few are derived from the presentation material we used to introduce the 2019 rules to golfers and golf clubs across the county. I’ve also started challenging you to be the referee with some video scenarios – do have a look at the video section and leave me your feedback.
Golf is a unique sport in that all abilities can compete together and we all play by the same set of rules. Knowing these rules will help you not to waste strokes, or incur unnecessary penalties, when you can’t play the course as you find it and the ball as it lies.Knowing the rules, and keeping a clear head, can make a huge difference in critical situations – think of Jordan Spieth on the 13th at Birkdale in the 2017 Open. Watch this Team Titleist recreation along with Jordan’s own memories and description of his thought process.
I need your help on this decision.
Leave your comments in the post:
“We’d Better Get a Referee – Video Challenge”
I started playing golf as a Junior with an unofficial handicap of 54. It didn’t take long to get down to the highest official handicap allowed (24 at the time) and eventually to a low of 6 before it has crept inevitably upwards over the last few years.
My experience with the Rules comes from refereeing at county level, presenting rules education sessions for golfers and golf clubs, and passing the Level 2 and 3 exams on the 2019 rules. I can’t claim to give definitive rulings (you will need to contact the R&A or USGA for that), but I do have a good network of other county referees for the difficult questions / scenarios so don’t hold back on any question you may have.
I hope that you find something on the site that saves you a shot in a future competition or stops the horrible “DQ” appearing next to your name
NB I’m not claiming to be a “Golf Rules Guru”, but it does make a nice site name!
Recent Posts
- Back-on-the-Line Change for 2023There has been a slight change to the back-on-the-line procedure from 1st January 2023 and it is probably more in line with what golfers actually did, rather than what they were meant to do, following the 2019 rule changes. This procedure for getting a ball in play is relevant for a few situations: From 1st January 2023, You must now drop … Continue reading Back-on-the-Line Change for 2023
- Main Rules Changes for 2023The revised rule book for 2023 and beyond is now published. As expected not many changes to get our heads around – here is the R&A/USGA’s “infographic” on the main changes. I’ll go through each one in turn over the next few days and pick out any others of interest as well. Make sure you update the App on the phone … Continue reading Main Rules Changes for 2023
- Look What’s Arrived!!The new rules for 2019 seems like only a few months ago, but we are having an update and a new set go live on 1st January 2023. There won’t be the wholesale changes that we had for 2019 – just a few tweaks, incorporation of some of the clarifications, and perhaps some of the recommended local rules becoming part of … Continue reading Look What’s Arrived!!
Golf Rules Guru 