Fast Guide to the Rules of Golf: A Handy Fast Guide to Golf Rules 2019

by Team Golfwell

Overview

The most major changes in 30 years to the Rules of Golf went into effect on January 1, 2019. This 6 x 9-inch Guide to the Rules of Golf gives you a clear and quick overview of the Rules of Golf and the recent changes that most commonly come into play when you need a fast answer.

Current for 2025-2026.

This book covers stroke and match play and is divided into 7 sections: Before Starting Play, Tee Area, General Area (Fairway & Rough, etc.), Relief in the General Area, Penalty Areas, Bunkers, and Greens. Some rules are repeated in several of the 7 sections for easy reference.

The next several pages, "QUICK RULES SUMMARY" will answer most rule questions in seconds with more information shown in the page reference.

A 4 x 6-inch edition of this book that easily fits in a golf bag is ISBN 9781991153609.

You don't have to remember all the rules if you keep this guide handy or on your phone for fast answers to rule questions. Happy golfing!

Sincerely,

Team Golfwell

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780473478735
Publisher:	Pacific Trust Holdings Nz Ltd.
Publication date:	04/10/2019
Pages:	68
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.14(d)

About the Author

TeamGolfwell and Bruce Miller, B.A., J.D. are best selling authors. Their books have sold thousands of copies including several #1 bestsellers in Golf Coaching, Sports humor, and other categories. They live in New Zealand.

Table of Contents

This book covers virtually all golf rules involved in stroke and match play and is divided into 7 sections: Before Starting Play, Tee Area, General Area (Fairway & Rough, etc.), Relief in the General Area, Penalty Areas, Bunkers, and Greens. Some rules are repeated in several of the 7 sections for easy reference. It also has a Quick Rules Summary which will answer most rule questions in seconds and the applicable penalties.

This guide is easy to read and explains these subjects in sections of the guide book and much more

PRACTICING ON THE COURSE BEFORE THE ROUND

PRACTICING ON THE COURSE DURING A ROUND

“GENERAL PENALTY” - MEANS A 2-STROKE PENALTY IN STROKE PLAY AND LOSS OF HOLE IN MATCH PLAY

NEW MAXIMUM SCORE FORMAT

SLOW PLAY – 1 STROKE FOR THE FIRST UNREASONABLE DELAY, A GENERAL PENALTY FOR SECOND DELAY AND DQ FOR THE THIRD DELAY

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES - ALLOWED

CODE OF CONDUCT – POSSIBLE PENALTIES

TIGHTENING CLUBHEAD OR SHAFT

BORROWING OR SHARING OF CLUBS

CHANGING GOLF BALLS

MULLIGANS, ETC.

“CLUB LENGTH” MEANS THE LONGEST CLUB IN YOUR BAG EXCEPT FOR YOUR PUTTER

TEE AREA RULES

ADVICE ON THE COURSE - ASKING FOR OR GIVING ADVICE ON DISTANCES OR LINE OF PLAY, ETC. IS ALLOWED IF IT IS PUBLIC INFORMATION

TEE AREA DIMENSIONS - A RECTANGULAR AREA MEASURING 2-CLUB LENGTHS BACK FROM THE FRONT EDGE OF THE TEE MARKERS

PLAYER DOESN’T HAVE TO USE A TEE WHEN TEEING OFF

USING TWIGS, ETC. TO LINE UP A SHOT

IF A PLAYER ACCIDENTALLY HITS THE BALL OR IF IT

MOVING TEE MARKERS IS NOT ALLOWED WHEN TEEING OFF - BUT OK IF PLAYER IS NOT ON THE TEE AREA OF THE HOLE BEING PLAYED

TEE SHOT GOES OB OR LOST - PLAY A PROVISIONAL BALL OR CONSIDER LOCAL RULE OPTIONS

BALL OB OR NOT OB? THE ENTIRE BALL MUST BE OUT OF BOUNDS FOR IT TO BE OB

NO PROVISIONAL BALL IS ALLOWED IF PLAYER HITS INTO A PENALTY AREA

BALL ACCIDENTALLY HITS PLAYER OR SOMETHING ELSE - NO PENALTY AND PLAY IT AS IT LIES

REPLACING DAMAGED CLUBS - YOU ARE ALLOWED TO REPLACE A DAMAGED CLUB IF YOU DIDN’T DAMAGE IT

REPAIRING AND USING A DAMAGED CLUB

GOLF COURSE AREAS - BALL IS ALWAYS TREATED AS BEING IN ONLY ONE AREA.

ACCIDENTALLY MOVING A BALL IN THE GENERAL AREA - PLAYER INCURS A 1 STROKE PENALTY IF PLAYER CAUSES HIS BALL TO MOVE

ANOTHER BALL INTERFERES - YOU CAN REQUEST THE OTHER PLAYER TO MARK HIS BALL

CLEANING YOUR BALL - GENERALLY ALLOWED WHEN YOU LIFT IT – EXCEPT 1. WHEN IDENTIFYING YOUR BALL, 2. INSPECTING IT FOR DAMAGE, 3. IT INTERFERES WITH ANOTHER BALL, OR 4. TO SEE IF IT LIES IN A CONDITION FOR RELIEF

IMPROVING CONDITIONS OF YOUR SHOT - NOT ALLOWED

DECLARING A BALL UNPLAYABLE – 3 OPTIONS WITH ONE PENALTY STROKE: REPLAY SHOT, BACK-ON-THE-LINE, OR 2-CLUB LENGTH DROP

BALL IS MOVED BY ANOTHER - REPLACE IT WITHOUT PENALTY

BALL MOVED BY NATURAL FORCES - PLAY IT AS IT LIES

PLACING CLUBS ETC. ON THE GROUND FOR ALIGNMENT

NOT SURE OF A RULE - PLAY TWO BALLS

And, much more quick reference information on current golf rules with all major USGA and R & A changes.

Editorial Reviews

"An excellent book that is understandable, easy to read and covers all the rules of golf in an excellent manner. Well done!"
- John Milne


"Informative and well organized and a great reference and refresher on the rules of golf!"
- Bob Stewart

From the Publisher