R&A Rules Limited

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is transferring to R&A Rules Limited, with effect from 1 st January 2004, the responsibilities and authority of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in making, interpreting and giving decisions on the Rules of Golf and on the Rules of Amateur Status.

The new Rules of Golf and the new Rules of Amateur Status have, therefore, been approved by R&A Rules Limited.

As from 1 st January 2004, the Rules of Golf and the Rules of

Amateur Status shall be made, altered, interpreted and applied

by R&A Rules Limited.

Gender

In the Rules of Golf, the gender used in relation to any person is understood to include both genders.

Golfers with Disabilities

The R&A publication entitled “A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities”, that contains permissible modifications of the Rules of Golf to accommodate disabled golfers, is available through the R&A.

 

 

Foreword – To the 2004 Edition of the Rules of Golf

With effect from 1 st January 2004, the governance responsibilities and authority of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews are being transferred to R&A Rules Limited.

This book contains the Rules of Golf which will be effective worldwide from 1 st January 2004. It represents the culmination of four years work by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and the United States Golf Association, following consultation with other golfing bodies throughout the world.

Whilst the well established numbering has been retained and none of the changes made fundamentally affects the way the game is played, this set of Rules represents the most comprehensive revision of the Rules of Golf for twenty years. A linguistic review of the entire book has been carried out and for the first time, a definite connection has been established between the etiquette of the game and the Rules themselves. These and the other alterations of substance are summarised on pages 14 to 18. In making all these changes, both Governing bodies have kept in mind the constant need to clarify and simplify the Rules wherever possible. Although such objectives are not easily reconciled, we believe that a fair and reasonable balance has been achieved.

Both the R&A and the USGA wish to promote respect for and adherence to the Rules and preserve the integrity of golf at all levels. We undertake to continue our close liaison to achieve these ends for the good of the game of golf.

In conclusion, we express our grateful thanks not only for the work done by our respective committees but also to all those others whose varied contributions in so many ways have made this revision possible.

How to Use the Rule Book

Understand the Words

The Rule book is written in a very precise and deliberate fashion. You should be aware of and understand the following differences in word use:

may = optional

should = recommendation

must = instruction (and penalty if not carried out) a ball = you may substitute another ball (e.g. Rules 26, 27 or 28) the ball = you may not substitute another ball (e.g. Rules 24-2 or 25-1)

Know the Definitions

There are over sixty defined terms and these form the foundation around which the Rules of play are written. A good knowledge of the defined terms (which are italicised throughout the book) is very important to the correct application of the Rules.

Which Rule Applies?

The Contents pages may help you find the relevant Rule, alternatively, there is an Index at the back of the book.

What is the Ruling?

To answer any question on the Rules you must first establish the facts of the case. To do so, you should identify:

1. The form of play (e.g. match play or stroke play, single, foursome or four-ball?)

2. Who is involved (e.g. the player, his partner or caddie, an outside agency?)

3. Where the incident occurred (e.g. on the teeing ground, in a bunker or water hazard, on the putting green or elsewhere on the course).

In some cases it might also be necessary to establish:

4 . The player’s intentions (e.g. what was he doing and what does he want to do?)

5. Any subsequent events (e.g. the player has returned his score card or the competition has closed).

 

Refer to the Book

It is recommended that you carry a Rule book in your golf bag and use it whenever a question arises. If in doubt, play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. Once back in the Clubhouse, reference to Decisions on the Rules of Golf should help resolve any outstanding queries.

Contents

FOREWORD

HOW TO USE THE RULE BOOK

PRINCIPAL CHANGES

SECTION

I. Etiquette

II. Definitions

III . The Rules of Play

 

THE GAME

1. The Game

2. Match Play

3. Stroke Play

 

CLUBS AND THE BALL

4. Clubs

5. The Ball

 

PLAYER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

6. The Player

7. Practice

8. Advice; Indicating Line of Play

9. Information as to Strokes Taken

 

ORDER OF PLAY - TEEING GROUND

10. Order of Play

11. Teeing Ground

 

PLAYING THE BALL

12. Searching for and Identifying Ball

13. Ball Played as it Lies

14. Striking the Ball

15. Substituted Ball; Wrong Ball

 

THE PUTTING GREEN

16. The Putting Green

17. The Flagstick

 

BALL MOVED, DEFLECTED OR STOPPED

18. Ball at Rest Moved

19. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped

 

RELIEF SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURE

20. Lifting, Dropping and Placing; Playing from Wrong Place

21. Cleaning Ball

22. Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play

23. Loose Impediments

24. Obstructions

25. Abnormal Ground Conditions, Embedded Ball and

Wrong Putting Green

26. Water Hazards (including Lateral Water Hazards)

27. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball

28. Ball Unplayable

 

OTHER FORMS OF PLAY

29. Threesomes and Foursomes

30. Three-Ball, Best-Ball and Four-Ball Match Play

31. Four-Ball Stroke Play

32. Bogey, Par and Stableford Competitions

 

ADMINISTRATION

33. The Committee

34. Disputes and Decisions

 

APPENDIX I

Contents

Part A. Local Rules

Part B. Specimen Local Rules

Part C. Conditions of the Competition

 

APPENDIX II Design of Clubs

APPENDIX III

The Ball

Handicaps

Rules of Amateur Status

Index

Next Page