FAQs

The Equipment Rules establish that the chipspers They must meet the following characteristics:

• The rod must join the head in the bead.
• The handle It must be circular in its cross-section, and only one handle is allowed.
• The head must have a simple design and only have one face to hit.
• The stick face must conform to the specifications of hardness, surface, roughness, material, marks in the impact area and dynamic properties.
• The length of stick It must comply with regulatory specifications.

Although the chipspers Those that meet these conditions are compliant; in practice, many have two faces, which makes them non-conformists to play, unless those faces have less than 10 degrees of incline. In this case, they could be considered as a putter instead of a chipper.

No. The player has completed the relief procedure when the ball, dropped correctly, remains at rest inside the relief area. It doesn't matter if, after touching the ground, the ball comes into contact with the player, their equipment, or any other external influence before stopping.

In any case, there is no penalty if the ball is dropped correctly accidentally hits to a person, equipment, or other external influence before coming to rest.

During a round, and while the game is interrupted according to the Rule 5.7a, We can perform the following actions in the green, whether the ball is inside or outside of it:

• Remove sand and loose soil: The sand and loose soil can be removed from the green (but not from other parts of the course) without penalty.
• Repair damage: We can repair damage to the green without penalty, provided we do so in a reasonable manner to restore the green as close as possible to its original state.

This must be done using hands, feet, a tee box fixer, a tee, a stick or other similar object of the team, without causing unnecessary delays in the game.

However, we must keep in mind that if the actions we take to improve the green exceed what is reasonable (for example, creating a path to the hole or using a prohibited item), we will incur the general penalty.

When We marked a ball, We do this to point out the point where it should be answered after being lifted up.

According to the Rules, This can be done in two ways:

• Placing a ball marker immediately behind or to the side of the ball.
• Holding a stick on the ground just behind or to the side of the ball.

In other words, you can mark the position of the ball, measure to one side and move the marker to that point, or Place the putter directly next to the ball and then move the marker to the other side of the putter head.

No. Even if you're sure that your The ball is in the street, If you cannot find it, you must proceed according to the Lost ball rule or out of bounds, which implies a penalty for hit and distance.

The rules they do not allow relief for a ball that is believed to be embedded if has not been previously found and identified.

The answer depends on whether the Was the ball in play or not?.

If it happened before executing a shot from the starting area, the ball It wasn't at stake. (see Definition of «"Ball in Play"»There is no penalty, and the player must put the ball into play from the starting area.

If the The ball was already in play (that is, if the player had already hit it from the starting area), the player incurs a one stroke penalty by moving his ball in play. He must return the ball to its original position. If you do not, you will incur a penalty for losing the hole in play by holes or of two blows in a stroke play game.

In neither case is it considered that the player has executed a blow, therefore it will not count towards the hole's result.

If the movement of the ball or the scoreboard occurs accidentally in the green, whether by the player, an opponent, or another player in a stroke play, there is no penalty. The player must:

• Return the ball to its original position (if it is not known, it must be estimated).
• Place a ball marker to indicate the original position.

If a stick conforms is damaged during a lap or while play is interrupted, depending on the Rule 5.7a (except in cases of abuse), the player has the option to repair or replace it by another stick. It is important to remember that, regardless of the cause of the damage, the A damaged stick is considered acceptable for the rest of the lap, but not during a tiebreaker in stroke play, which is considered a new round.

For the remainder of the round, the player has the following options:

• Continue playing with the damaged stick.
• Repair or replace the stick, provided it has not been damaged by abuse.
• If the player chooses replace the damaged stick, You must declare the club out of play before making another stroke.

A stick is considered to have been «"damaged during a lap"» when any part, characteristic or property The trajectory of the club is altered by any action taken during the swing (including periods of interruption), which can be caused by:

• He player (when hitting, taking a practice swing, putting the club in or taking it out of the bag, dropping it, leaning on it, or using it incorrectly).
• Another person, one external influence o natural forces.

The balls marked as «"Practice"» are generally conforming golf balls, identified with the word «"Practice"» or a similar word. These balls are treated in the same way as the golf balls that carry the logo of a club, field, company, school or other logo.

They can be used even if the Committee has implemented the Local Rule which requires the use of balls included in the List of Conforming Golf Balls.

No, the Alternative Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds only applies if the Committee has adopted this Local Rule for the course in general or for one or two specific holes where it may be especially useful (for example, in areas where players cannot see the ball's trajectory and therefore may not know whether to play a provisional ball).

It is fundamental verify if Local Rule E-5 is in effect in the field or competition you are going to play in before proceeding. This Local Rule It is not common in adopted Local Rules, as it is designed for informal situations or non-professional competitions.

The Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG) has decided not adopting this Local Rule in none of its competitions.

Yeah. According to the 2023 Rules, a player can return to the spot from which the previous shot was played to play one provisional ball, even after having gone ahead to look for the original ball.

However, it is important to remember that the three minutes allowed for the search for a ball continues running while the player returns to play the provisional ball.

No, it's not mandatory. to mark the ball when we lift it to place it on the street. Although it is a common practice Among professional players in competitions, they do it primarily to avoid mistakes when placing the ball, for fear of losing sight of the original point, or to hand it over to caddy for cleaning.

It's also a matter of label towards the other players.

The use of distance measuring devices is permitted according to the Rules. However, this does not exclude the possibility that, in certain tournaments or championships, he Committee may prohibit its use through a Specific Local Rule.

Although the use of distance meters It is permitted, they are prohibited those devices that measure taking into account the elevation changes or that provide Additional information about distances or directions. This includes, for example, teams that recommend the line of play or the stick to use based on the player's ball position.

The Rules They only prohibit a player from allowing their partner or caddie (whether it's yours or your partner's) remain in that position while playing. The described action does not incur a penalty under the Rules, although it may be considered a misconduct.

The recommended solution is ask politely to his opponent or to the other player who move from that position and stand to one side to avoid distractions during their game.

To protect the interests of all players, If a player knows or suspects that another player has violated or could have violated the Rules If the coach doesn't admit it or ignores it, the player should inform the coach. offender, to the scoreboard, to a referee or to the Committee.

This notice must be given in a timely, as soon as the infringement is known and before the player hands in their scorecard, unless it is not possible to do so.

If the player does not report the violation, he Committee can disqualify him because serious misconduct if their behavior is considered to go against the spirit of the game.

The definition of Temporary Water It encompasses any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground, such as puddles formed by rain, irrigation, or overflowing watercourses, that is not in a penalty area and is visible before or after the player takes their stance.

Therefore, if the water It only appears after the player steps around the ball, but It does not remain visible after the player takes their stance, it is not considered interference by Temporary Water and, consequently, is not entitled to relief under this condition.

Not all possible situations are covered by the Rules of Golf. In cases where a situation is not specifically covered, it must be decided by the Committee:

• Considering all relevant circumstances.
• By addressing the situation in a reasonable, fair, and consistent manner with the approach of the Rules in similar situations.

From 1952, the Rules of Golf are published jointly by the USGA y R&A Rules Limited in Scotland. Rules Committees Members of both organizations meet separately several times a year, and twice a year meetings are held of Joint Rules Committee, in which representatives of R&A Rules Limited and the USGA.

To decide and study the proposals of changes or modifications The Rules are developed in consultation with various organizations, professional circuits, and national federations. Royal Spanish Golf Federation He regularly participates in these meetings, presenting his proposals and contributing to the review process.

When applying the side option of two posts under the Unplayable ball rule (Rule 19.2), The measurement of the two sticks is taken from the exact point where the ball rests, always without getting too close to the hole.

For example, if the ball is inside a bush, The two sticks are measured from the place where the ball is located inside the bush, not from the outer edge of it. If the area resulting from those two posts (relief area) is not enough to avoid the bush; it may be more advantageous to opt for one of the other two options offered by the Rule 19.2.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that if, after drop, The ball rolls again and comes to rest in the relief area, It will be in play. To drop it again, you must accept a new penalty stroke according to the Rule 19.

Yes, that's true. If the A player's ball has not been found, But it is known or virtually certain that has remained at rest inside a penalty area, the player can proceed to to be relieved with penalty, following the appropriate procedure according to the Rule 17.

In a competition with "Shot" exit«, is the Committee who determines the starting hole. If the player starts their lap in the hole 9, his next hole will be the 10, followed by 11, 12, and so on.

It doesn't matter if the competition takes place in a 9 or 18 hole course.

Although the The ball is in play., being located within the exit area (two sticks from the starting marks), we have the following options without penalty:

• Play the ball as it is, which would count as our second hit.
• Place the ball on a tee and play from there, also like our second hit.
• Lift and place the ball at any point in the starting area, which would also count as our second hit.

According to the Rules, the ball that is farthest from the hole It must be played first, regardless of whether it is in the green or outside of it. Therefore, Juana must play first from the green, followed by Pedro from the bunker.

However, the Rules They allow and recommend playing off duty in a way safe and responsible, promoting the practice of «"Ready Golf"» o «"Ready to Play"».

In it first hole of the round, The order of play is determined by the established departure schedule, If there is no set schedule, it should be decided by drawing lots. On subsequent holes, the order of play is based on the results of the previous hole, with the player who made the highest score going first. fewer brutal blows.

However, the Rules They allow and recommend playing outside of your turn whenever possible safe and responsible to do it, which is known as “Ready Golf” o “Ready to Play”. Some examples of Ready Golf include:

• When two or more players agree to do it for greater comfort or for save time.
• If the A player's ball is very close to the hole and this one wishes to enter.
• When a player is prepared and may play before the player who would normally play according to the turn order, provided that this does not endanger neither distract others.

It is important to note that if the player whose turn it is to play is ready and expresses their intention to do so first, the other players should generally follow. wait for him to play. Furthermore, playing out of turn with the intention of obtaining a advantage over other players.

The Rules of Golf They do not specify an exact advance notice period for being in the assigned hole tee before the departure time. What the Rules state is that we must be Ready to play at the designated time and at the departure location determined by the Committee.

Be «"Ready to play"» This means the player must have at least a stick and a ball ready for immediate use.

In other words, if you departure time it is at 08:00 on hole 7, You must be in that place with a stick and a ball in his hands at 08:00 at the latest.

Yes, without a doubt. The Rules of Golf They are universal and apply in the same way to all players, both professional and amateur, worldwide.

However, it is important to note that, in most cases professional circuits, like the DP World Tour (European Tour), the PGA of the United States (US PGA), and the Ladies European Tour (LET), Among others, the following are usually implemented local rules y additional competition conditions which, although similar to each other, are adapted to the demands of those tournaments.

He Committee of a field or competition has the power to establish a Code of Conduct that contains specific rules of conduct. These rules are formally adopted through a Local Rule and are mandatory for all participants.

A Code of Conduct It usually includes penalties for violating these rules, such as one stroke penalty wave general penalty. It is important to note that the Committee can disqualify a player for serious misconduct if he does not comply with the rules of the Code of Conduct.