Golf Rules Guides

The 14-Club Rule in Golf: Penalty for Carrying More Than 14 Clubs (Rule 4.1b)
You can carry a maximum of 14 clubs under Rule 4.1b. The penalty in stroke play is two strokes per hole where a breach happened, max four. Read more...
Can You Get Relief From a Divot in Golf? The Rule Explained
No free relief from a divot under the Rules of Golf — you play it as it lies or declare it unplayable. But pitch marks are different. Read more...
Is It a Penalty to Ask What Club Someone Hit? The Advice Rule Explained (Rule 10.2a)
Asking another player what club they used is a penalty under Rule 10.2a — it counts as advice. But asking about distance or the rules is always allowed. Read more...
Can You Remove a Stone or Leaf in a Bunker? Rules 15.1 and 12
Since 2019 you may remove loose impediments like stones and leaves in a bunker with no penalty. Learn what counts, what still costs two strokes, and how to handle it. Read more...
What Happens If Your Ball Moves on the Green? Rule 13.1d
No penalty if you accidentally move your ball on the green — but if wind moves it after you marked and replaced, you must replace it. Learn the rule. Read more...
Embedded Ball Relief in Golf: Rule 16.3 Explained
You get free relief from an embedded ball in the general area. Learn when it applies, the 2026 model local rule for other players' pitch marks, and the drop procedure. Read more...
Golf Rules for Beginners: 10 Rules Every New Golfer Needs
The 10 golf rules beginners actually need — counting strokes, order of play, relief, penalties, and etiquette in plain English with rule numbers cited. Read more...
Are Mulligans Legal in Golf? The Rule and the Convention
Mulligans aren't in the Rules of Golf — but the breakfast ball tradition survives. Learn when a mulligan technically breaks the rules. Read more...
What If Wind Moves Your Golf Ball? Rule 9.3 Explained
Wind moving your ball at rest costs nothing — play from the new spot. Learn the natural forces rule, the putting green case, and when you DO have to replace. Read more...
Provisional Ball in Golf: When to Play One and How It Works (Rule 18.3)
A provisional ball saves the walk back when your ball might be lost or OB. Learn the declaration rule, when to abandon it, and the mistake that costs strokes. Read more...
Bunker Rules in Golf: What You Can and Can't Do (Rule 12)
Grounding your club near the ball is still 2 strokes, but most other bunker rules relaxed in 2019. Here's the full allowed/not-allowed list and the escape option. Read more...
How to Drop a Golf Ball Correctly: Rule 14.3 Explained
The correct drop is knee height, straight down, into the relief area. Learn when to re-drop, when to place, and the mistakes that cost strokes. Read more...
Out of Bounds in Golf: Rule 18.2, Penalty, and Local Rule E-5
A ball is OB when all of it crosses the white-stake boundary. Know the stroke-and-distance penalty, when to play a provisional, and how Local Rule E-5 saves pace. Read more...
Penalty Areas in Golf: Red vs Yellow Stakes Explained (Rule 17)
Water hazards are now penalty areas. Learn the difference between red and yellow stakes and your relief options under Rule 17 — all for one penalty stroke. Read more...
Can You Putt With the Flagstick In? The Rule Explained (Rule 13.2)
Since the 2019 change you can putt with the flagstick in, no penalty. Learn when it helps, when it hurts, and how to still get penalized. Read more...
Are Gimme Putts Legal in Golf? The Rule Explained (Rule 3.2)
Gimme putts are only legal in match play when conceded. In stroke play, Rule 3.2 requires holing out — and a wrong scorecard means disqualification. Read more...
Unplayable Lie in Golf: Your 3 Options Under Rule 19
Declare your ball unplayable anywhere except a penalty area and take one penalty stroke for stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral relief. Read more...
The 3-Minute Search Rule in Golf: Exactly How It Works (Rule 18.2)
How long you get to search for a lost ball, when the clock starts, and what to do when time runs out under Rule 18.2. Read more...
Playing the Wrong Ball in Golf: Penalty and How to Fix It (Rule 6.3c)
What happens when you play the wrong ball under Rule 6.3c — the two-stroke penalty in stroke play, loss of hole in match play, and how to correct it. Read more...
Cart Path Relief in Golf: The Rule, Step by Step (Rule 16.1)
How to take free relief from a cart path under Rule 16.1 — where to drop, how far, and the mistakes that cost you strokes. Read more...