Before you hit the course to play a round of golf, for fun or for business, or to attend a golf tournament as a spectator, make sure youre familiar with the basic rules of golf. This manual is the complete book of information and instruction about the. The united states golf association defines a handicap index as a number that represents the potential ability of a player on a course with of average difficulty those with a slope rating of 1. Golf digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our.
Players edition of the rules of golf the full rules of golf the official guide to the rules of golf includes interpretations, committee procedures, model local rules, and the modified rules for players with disabilities. A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfers potential that is used to enable players of varying abilities to compete against one another. But for golfers in north america, the rules are about to slightly change. Whether youre a new golfer learning the rules, a player polishing. The players edition of the rules of golf is the publication written for you the golfer. The usga course rating system will be referred to as the course. This means every golfer can play on a fair and equal basis. I play off 5 and i know the rules reasonably well however this never leaves my bag.
Rule 22 tells golfers that we need to know the five playing areas on a golf course teeing areas, penalty areas, bunkers, putting greens and the general area everywhere else because where your ball lies can impact what golfers can and cant do under the rules. Diagrams and videos are also included to help you learn and understand the rules. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of the rules of golf and decisions on the rules of golf. This includes providing services such as handicap management, course ratings, tournament and event oversight for all. This local rule applies for nontournament play unless otherwise stated in a notice to competitors. This book contains all the rules of the game as revised 1st january, 2016, together with over 100 illustrations designed to provide easier understanding of those situations that cause difficulties for golfers.
Rules relating to handicaps vary from country to country with many different systems in force around the world. Golf rules at a glance here we offer a quick introduction to the official rules of golf, breaking down each rule into a few key points, written in plain english. Explanation of usga handicap system section 35 players. The official guide to the rules of golf, effective january 2019 the rules of golf, effective january 2019 the players edition of the rules of golf, effective january 2019. Heres what you need to know about the new way to calculate a. The cga is licensed by the united states golf association as the allied golf association of record for the state of colorado. The rules of golf youre still getting wrong national. This player is now playing a harder golf course than the players who are playing a more forward.
Golf canada requires that a clubs policies comply with the rules of golf and. This is the complete book of information and instruction about the world handicap system. Explanation for each major change from the usga handicap. Below are helpful links and documents designed to aid golfers in learning the rules of golf. Unfortunately, many penalties are the result of ignorance or confusion concerning the rules of golf. Handicap committee guide florida state golf association. Rules relating to handicaps vary from country to country with many different. World handicap system northern california golf association. How the rules of golf and your handicap work together. The usgas official app for the rules of golf, which is always kept up to date with the latest rules content. World handicap system and resources for players, grouped by topic and addressing each significant change going into effect in january 2020. If youre new to golf, you can get a quick grasp of the important concepts in the rules. But a local rule denoting the existence of such a practice is included in the rules of golf for the benefit of local committees faced with adverse course conditions. Yet, today there are six different handicap systems used around the world.
T he system developed by the council of national golf unions congu gives players a handicap that reflects their ability. Better players are those with the lowest handicaps. Rules of handicapping northern california golf association. The use of preferred lies or winter rules is not endorsed nor interpreted under the rules of golf. Handicap systems are popular in many individual sports, most notably in golf and bowling. Playing either match play or stroke play, playing either as an individual or with a partner as part of a side, and scoring either by gross scores no handicap strokes applied or net scores handicap strokes applied. The goal of a handicap system in golf is to regulate a match between players of unequal skill levels, to ensure that each has an equal chance of winning, by removing strokes from. Rules of handicapping course handicap calculator course rating and slope database. Obtaining a handicap index rule 2 scores acceptable for handicap purposes rule 3 adjustment of hole scores rule 4 submitting a score rule 5 handicap index calculation. Though giving and taking away strokes can cause emotions to run high and is sometimes hard to accept, a rule is a rule. The world handicap system the royal and ancient golf. Its certainly a long way from the first rules of golf in 1744 that stated that you must tee your ball.
This includes services such as handicap management, course rating, events, clinics, tournaments and membership programs. Rating system and will join the rules of handicapping to form the. Andrews, scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the rules of golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. World handicap system 2020 club workshops are now available to book in your county to get more acquainted with the changes coming to. There will also be seven appendices, which will contain further details and more information. Golf clubs have received a3 posters that can be displayed for members regarding the new world handicap system. Home the world handicap system world handicap system. World handicapping system to be introduced in 2020 vermont. Home golf terms golf shop golf in the usa golf videos golf rules golf tours list golf jokes golf news all for golf history of golf handicap calculator key principles of golf. The recently initiated world handicap system whs brings six different handicap systems together into a single set of rules for handicapping, enabling golfers. Effective immediately, the tellico village handicap committee invokes the following local rule for out of bounds and balls lost outside of a penalty area. Use the rule book whenever a question arises about the world handicap system. The handicap committee guide is designed as a complement to the rules of handicapping book.
You can reflect back on the changes in greater detail by reading understanding golfs new and modernised rule book or watch top 8 new rules of golf explained. Handicaps the rules of golf do not legislate for the allocation and adjustment of handicaps. Navy canvas cover for the official guide to the rules of golf. The manual also details checks and balances of the system, course. Rules of golf resources page northern california golf. Rules of golf northern california golf assocaiation. The usga promotes and conserves the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.
Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair. Golf faces challenges and opportunities that are vital to its longterm health. The scga rules and competitions staff is a resource for all questions related to rules, tournament administration, tournament formats, course markings, local rules to adopt at your club and more. See what the usga is doing to ensure a strong future for the game. The rule book, entitled rules of golf, is published on a regular basis and also includes rules governing amateur status. Rule 6 course handicap and playing handicap calculation. This manual is the complete book of information and instruction. The new world handicap system will be administered by national and regional associations around the world, with safeguards included to ensure consistency as well as adaptability to differing golf cultures. How to use the rule book refer to the rules of handicapping whenever a question arises about the world handicap system. Paperback effective through 2018 to 2019 decisions on rules of amateur status. This is the home page for all of the information you need about the rules of golf, including the new rules that officially go into effect on jan.
Rules overview the royal and ancient golf club of st andrews. In this rules of golf video, golf monthlys jeremy ellwood talks you through how to avoid breaking the most broken rules in golf become a free subscriber to golf monthlys youtube. Golf clubs can visit the dotgolf website and download the new whs playing handicap tables. Whs implementation to new zealand will be tuesday 14 april. At england golf, we make it easy to find the tips and advice you need so you can boost your understanding of the game and head out onto the course with confidence. Around the world of golf, there have been different ways as to how you would calculate ones handicap. As a supporting stateregional golf association srga, the scga administers the rules of golf and amateur status in the state of south carolina. Golf rules click to view new rules2019in the golf rules made easy section here at golf info, well go over key rules and explain. Implementation plans will vary around the world and golf club administrators are encouraged to engage with their national association to obtain information regarding launch dates and the assistance they need to prepare themselves and their membership for transition to the world handicap system. It has been redesigned to follow a similar template to the rules of golf. Ncga rules seminars focus on using the rules of golf book, decisions on the book and the issues and concepts relating to relief procedures. The resources below range from introductory rules knowledge assistance to advanced topics for complex rulings and come. New golf handicap system 2020 what you need to know.
243 874 1321 1333 69 1473 112 1227 760 519 1208 1120 1010 262 978 669 614 112 1571 945 36 1146 115 1326 1153 527 695 708 939 687 192