Golf Rules Made Easy
Golf Rules Made Easy
In this post, we’re going to explore the rules of golf, one of the greatest games ever created. You’re about to learn the interesting history of golf, why people play golf, the object of golf and how the score is kept.
Table of Contents
HISTORY OF GOLF
I bet that you are unfamiliar with the history of golf. As early as the 15th century, a game similar to golf was played in Scotland with a club made of a bent tree branch and a small leather bag stuffed with feathers for a ball. The game as we know it today originated in St. Andrews, Scotland in 1744.
The first official golf course in America was built in 1888 in Yonkers, New York, called “The St. Andrews Golf Club.” The course originally had three holes, then expanded to six holes, nine holes and finally eighteen holes. Golf continued to grow in popularity in America.
However, by the turn of the century, the game was played primarily by wealthy people who had time and money to dedicate to the game. In 1913, a 20-year-old caddie, Francis Ouimet, stunned the nation when he became the first American to win the U.S. Open at “The Country Club,” in his hometown of Brookline, Massachusetts.
From that day on, the game of golf has become increasingly popular in America. Today, there are over 24 million golfers in the United States.
GOLF: THE GAME OF A LIFETIME
Golf is the most widely played game in the world. Whether you are male or female, and regardless of your age, you can enjoy the great game of golf. Children play with adults, men and women play together, and all may enjoy the game equally. Unlike many other sports, you do not need special athletic ability to enjoy the game.
Golf offers a wide variety of benefits. The game is played outside on some of the most beautiful pieces of land throughout the world. Golf can be a form of exercise. Walking 18 holes is equivalent to walking 5 miles.
The game is a great family activity, for children, parents and grandparents. Businesses throughout the world use the game to promote their companies. Organizations use golf outings to raise money for charities. Some regions use golf as a major attraction for their tourism, providing millions or even billions of dollars to their economy.
Many people use golf for relaxation, to get away from their everyday pressures and to enjoy the atmosphere the game offers. The game builds relationships with friends, family and business associates. Golf teaches you to deal with adversity.
To excel at the game, you will learn discipline, dedication and patience. There are a lot of golf rules and regulations. But most of all, the game is fun!
OBJECT OF THE GAME
The game of golf is played outdoors, on an area of land that is referred to as a golf course. Each course normally consists of 9 or 18 holes. When you play 9 or 18 holes, you are playing a round of golf. The object of each hole is to hit the golf ball into a cup.
The starting point of each hole is the teeing ground. The finishing point is the cup, located on the putting green. Any attempt to hit the golf ball, whether successful or unsuccessful is considered a stroke. When playing, golf clubs are used to hit the golf ball.
These clubs vary in length and design, and are referred to as woods, irons, or putters. The object of the game is to play all 9 or 18 holes, taking as few strokes as possible to get your ball from the teeing ground into the cup on each hole.
DETERMINING YOUR SCORE

Every hole on a golf course is assigned a par of either three, four, or five. The par is based on the length of the hole which is measured in yards. As shown in below, the guideline used to determine par is different for men and women.
Par is the number of strokes in which you try to complete each hole. It is a mark of excellence for playing the hole. When playing the game, you compare your strokes with par. Only the finest golfers play golf at or below par. When you first start playing, do not expect to score near par. For instance, on a par-4, it may be common for you to take eight to ten strokes.
On a par-S, your goal is to get from the tee onto the putting green in one stroke. On a par-4, your goal is two strokes, and on a par-5, your goal is three strokes. Once on the green your goal is to putt the ball into the hole in two strokes or less.
Your ability as a golfer is determined by the number of strokes it takes you to play each hole. When starting the game, do not focus too much attention on your score.
Simply get used to playing the game and being on the golf course. Regardless of whether you keep score or not, always get a scorecard from the golf shop before starting your round of golf. The scorecard is a helpful aid.
First, scorecards show the length and par of each hole. Second, they often show a drawing or layout of each hole identifying the location of rivers, ponds, bunkers, etc. Third, if you are playing in a competition using handicaps, the handicap to be used for each hole is shown on the scorecard (discussed later).
When looking at the scorecard, people often ask what the terms out and in mean. Out is where you put your total score for the first nine holes. In is where you put your total score for the second nine holes. This assumes you started on hole number one. To improve your golf score, check out our golf swing tips.
The terms originated with the links style courses in Scotland that follow the seaside or bay. It is common for the first nine holes to go out away from the clubhouse, along the shoreline. The second nine holes are adjacent to the first nine, but go back in toward the clubhouse.
SCORING TERMS
The following are terms commonly used to refer to your score on each hole. An ace or hole-in-one refers to getting your ball in the hole in one stroke and is extremely rare. Also rare is a double eagle which is three strokes under par.
An eagle is two under par, while a birdie is one under par. It is more common to have scores over par. For instance, a bogey is one over par, a double bogey is two over par, a triple bogey is three over par, and a quadruple bogey is four over par.
HANDICAP
A handicap is a number assigned to a golfer, based on the scores he or she normally shoots. Handicaps are used so golfers of different abilities can compete against each other. A person is not required to have a handicap in order to play golf, however, some golf tournaments require that you have an established handicap to participate.
If you become interested in obtaining a handicap it is best to contact a local golf course that has a handicap service.
So those are the rules of golf. In the next section, we’ll talk about the layout of the golf course!

One of the
There are several aspects of a great golf swing. The actual movement of the arm and direction of the swing are just two small pieces. One of the most valuable golf swing tips is to understand how to position yourself in the proper plane.
Lastly, this is not a golf swing tip, but a general golf tip. Make sure you’re playing the right ball. Notice how the best golf players all over the world are playing the best golf balls. However, amateur golf players do the exact opposite.
