Golf is a sport of precision—not just in play, but in its rules. Yet even seasoned golfers find themselves tripped up by some of the more nuanced or misunderstood regulations. Here’s a list of eight golf rules you’re probably getting wrong and how to ensure you play by the book.
1. The Ball Moves After Address—Do You Get a Penalty?
What Most People Think: If your ball moves after you’ve addressed it, it’s an automatic penalty.
The Correct Rule: Under the modern rules, if your ball moves due to natural causes (like wind or gravity) after you’ve addressed it, there is no penalty. You simply play the ball from its new position.
How to Get It Right: Only take a penalty if your actions (like accidentally bumping it) caused the ball to move.
2. Accidentally Hitting the Ball on a Practice Swing
What Most People Think: If you hit the ball during a practice swing, it counts as a stroke.
The Correct Rule: A practice swing does not count as a stroke unless you intended to hit the ball. If it happens, replace the ball without penalty.
How to Get It Right: Relax—mistakes happen, but practice swings don’t cost strokes.
3. Hitting Your Ball Out of Bounds
What Most People Think: You can drop a ball near where it went out of bounds with a one-stroke penalty.
The Correct Rule: The traditional rule requires you to return to the spot of your previous shot and replay it with a penalty stroke (stroke-and-distance). However, many courses now use the Local Rule that allows you to drop near where the ball went out of bounds with a two-stroke penalty.
How to Get It Right: Check if your course allows the Local Rule for out-of-bounds balls.
4. Double Hitting the Ball
What Most People Think: If you accidentally hit the ball twice in a single stroke, it counts as two strokes.
The Correct Rule: Under the current rules, a double hit is treated as a single stroke—no additional penalty.
How to Get It Right: Breathe easy if it happens—it’s just one stroke!
5. Touching Sand in a Bunker
What Most People Think: Any touch of the sand in a bunker results in a penalty.
The Correct Rule: You’re allowed to touch the sand in a bunker as long as you’re not testing its condition or improving your lie. For example, leaning on your club or raking footprints outside your shot area is fine.
How to Get It Right: Avoid touching the sand directly near your ball or in a way that gives you an advantage.
6. Repairing Damage on the Green
What Most People Think: You can only repair ball marks and nothing else on the green.
The Correct Rule: You can repair almost any damage on the green, including spike marks, ball marks, and even animal tracks, as long as it doesn’t delay play excessively.
How to Get It Right: Carry a ball marker and fix any imperfections before putting.
7. Dropping the Ball from Shoulder Height
What Most People Think: You must drop the ball from shoulder height when taking relief.
The Correct Rule: The modern rule requires you to drop the ball from knee height, not shoulder height.
How to Get It Right: Bend down slightly to drop the ball at the correct height—no need to stand tall!
8. Marking and Replacing the Ball on the Green
What Most People Think: If your ball marker moves slightly while marking your ball, it’s a penalty.
The Correct Rule: If the ball marker accidentally moves, there is no penalty. Simply replace it in its original position.
How to Get It Right: Stay calm and fix the marker without worry—it won’t cost you strokes.
Conclusion
Golf’s rulebook can be complex, but understanding these commonly misunderstood regulations can save you strokes and make your round more enjoyable. Familiarizing yourself with these updated rules ensures you’re playing fair and stress-free.
