Golf is an exciting game in which strategic thinking, dedication and diligence combined with tolerance and regularity are not the least important. In golf is unacceptable rush and arrogance. Therefore, it is believed that this game is not suitable for the masses. At first glance, it seems that there is nothing difficult in golf. In fact, entire books are written about the rules of this game. We will look at the rules of golf in brief. Their awareness allows, at least, not to cause confusion among professional players.

Historical excursion

It is believed that golf originated in Scotland and was coined by shepherds. In order not to be bored when grazing livestock, they used sheep to drive sheep balls into mouse holes. Over time, some of the shepherds became large landowners, and the game gained a different meaning. Golf has become a reliable cover for business conversations, because the site had the least risk of being overheard. It is assumed that the birth of the game occurred in the XIV century, but in its present form it appeared only in the XIV century, in that very Scotland. Approximately at the same time, the rules of golf appeared.

Terminology

Before considering the rules of golf, let's deal with the basic terminology of the game. The zone from which the game begins is called "tee". The same word is called a stand for the ball, in form resembling a screw. The main part of the field is occupied by a zone called “fairways”. This is a relatively flat area with grass of medium height. "Putting green" (or simply "green") - a plot with the lowest grass on which the hole is located. Between "tee" and "green", except for "Fairway", there is always a zone called "raf". It grows tall grass and shrubs, there are other obstacles. From this zone the ball is much harder to knock out than from others. In addition to grass and high vegetation, a golf course can include water, sand and other obstacles.

In golf, there are different blows that differ from each other in strength, direction and twist. The most common blow is called “drive”. It is carried out at the very beginning of the game in order to send the ball as far as possible from the "ti". "Pattom" is a light rolling shot, which is made on the "green" to aim the ball into the hole. “Swing” - swinging a club when making a blow. "Par" - the number of strokes, which the player should be enough for the passage of the hole. And finally, the assistant of the player who carries the inventory, and can help with the advice, is called a caddy. Of course, these are not all the terms that are used in the game, but to master the rules of golf for beginners, they are quite enough.

How is the game going?

Golf is as simple as it’s complicated. The main task of the game is to score the ball in the hole as quickly as possible (in less strokes). The round consists of 18 holes. The game can be of two types: match and on account of strikes. In the first case, it is calculated how many holes the player has passed faster than the opponent. The second is the total number of strokes spent on the passage of all holes.

The main principles of golf:

1. "Play the field as it is."
2. "Play the ball as he lay down."
3. "If the above is not possible, act fairly."

Etiquette

Etiquette includes order on the field of the game, as well as care for this field itself. They are not governed by official rules, but are considered no less important. Consider the main ones.

• Keep up. This does not mean that it is worth fussing, running after the ball and hurriedly hitting it without aiming. Just do not need too long to tune into a punch. But what you need is to make sure that when it is your turn to beat, you are near the ball. In this case, the players have enough time to talk. However, speaking when another player hits is not accepted. The game should go so that between your group and the group in front of you, there is about half a hole.
• Wait your turn. You should always know when it is time for your strike. The first from the "tee" usually beats the one who most quickly passed the previous hole. It can be either according to the order established within the group, or by agreement of the “reddy golf”. Its essence is that if the player is ready - he hits. When all the balls hit the "green", do not forget about the flag. The flag from the glass is pulled out by the player whose ball is closest to the hole. If not all the players in the group see the hole, the above player “serves” it - makes sure that the flag is taken out as the rolling ball approaches the moon. The player who first scored the ball in the hole usually returns the flag to its place after the group passes it.
• Shout "Fore!" If the ball flies into a person. Players often do this, especially with the tees. As soon as you realize that there is even the slightest risk of injuring another player, shout out loud! Do not be shy. It would be much worse if the ball did get into someone.
• Treat the field with care. To keep the golf course in good condition, a lot of people work on it. Therefore, the players decided to take care of him. If you move around an unfamiliar golf course on a golf cart, find out if you can ride it on the grass. If not, the golf cart will have to be left on the track. Whatever it was, to go around the "putting green" is not accepted.

If during a strong blow you knocked out a piece of grass cover (“divots”), then you need to either lay it in place and press it down with your foot, or put a special mixture of sand with seeds in the recess that appeared. It can usually be found on a golf cart or ask for a caddy. When you hit the putting green, there are often dents on the grass. They are repaired with special forks. After a blow from the sand, it should be leveled with a special rake.

• Do not stand "at hand". Golf is as traumatic a sport as it is elegant. Therefore, do not stay too close to the player making the strike. Especially since you can prevent him. The ideal position is at the back and a little apart. Never stand on the line "patta."

Beginning of the game

It's time to look directly at the rules of golf. Before the start of the round you need:

1. Read the local rules that you will be given on the appropriate card.
2. Put your tag on the ball. Many golfers play the same ball. If during the game you could not identify your ball, it will be considered lost.
3. Count your putters. Have more than 14 clubs can not.

During the game, you can ask for advice only from your partner or caddy. Advice can only be a partner. Training shots during the game is prohibited.

Blow with "ti"

Set the ball to enter it in the game between the corresponding markers. Putting the ball behind the markers is allowed (the distance should not exceed two clubs), and the front - is prohibited. In a match game, a strike outside the specified zone will not entail a penalty, but the enemy has the right to ask to kill him. In the game on account of this violation is imposed a penalty in the form of two hits.

Ball game

Golf rules say that you need to hit the ball from the position in which it stopped. It is forbidden to move the ball and disturb the appearance of the vegetation in order to improve its position. It is possible to touch plants only in the process of taking a stand for a strike and immediately upon impact.

If the ball is in the “bunker” (area with sand) or hit the water barrier, it is allowed to touch the surface of these elements only when moving to the ball with the aim of striking. If you have played someone else's ball, in a match game this will mean losing a hole, and in a score game, a penalty in the form of two strikes.

On the "Putting Green"

If there are traces of old holes or balls on the “putta” line, they can be corrected. Other damages, including traces of shoes, cannot be touched. The golf ball in this area can be lifted and cleaned, provided that it is returned to the same place. Checking the surface of the "green" by touch or by rolling the ball is prohibited. If the ball hits a flag pole when hit, this means losing a hole in a match game and a penalty in the form of two strokes in the game against the score.

The ball moved

If the golf ball was moved by you, your partner or assistant, in any way not covered by the rules, you need to return it to its original place and add 1 free kick. The same must be done if the ball has changed its position at the time of production for a strike. If the ball is moved by an opponent or another ball, simply return it to its place.

The ball changed direction in motion

If during the movement the ball stopped or changed its trajectory due to your personal fault or the fault of your partner or assistant, then you lose the hole in the match game and get two free kicks in the game for the account. In the second case, the ball is beating from the place where he was.

If the ball has changed the trajectory or stopped due to the fault of unauthorized persons, then you can continue to play it without any sanctions from the place in which it appeared. But there are some exceptions. First, in a match game you have the right to repeat a strike from the previous position, if your opponent or his assistant is to blame for changing the direction of the ball. Secondly, in the game on account of blows, if the ball has changed direction on the “putting green”, you must repeat it.

If the hit ball collides with another ball that was at rest, you can continue the game without imposing sanctions. However, in the game to the account, if both balls were in the putting green, a penalty in the form of two shots is imposed for collisions.

Raising and throwing the ball

If the ball rises to be installed in its original place, its position must be fixed with a marker. If the ball got into the repaired area, accidental water, into a hole or garbage made by animals (for example, rabbits), it is allowed to throw it on the field at a distance not exceeding the length of one club from the near free point. Throw the ball in the direction of the hole is prohibited.

If the position of the ball can worsen the game of any of the players, the ball is allowed to lift. And vice versa - if a ball bothers you, you can demand that it be lifted.

Obstacles and free interference

At the beginning of the game, it is worthwhile to clarify the location of fixed obstacles (roads, paths, etc.) by local rules. At the same time moving obstacles (rakes, banks, etc.) can be moved to any part of the field. If, hitting them, the ball has changed the trajectory, it is allowed to repeat the blow.

In the case when a fixed obstacle interferes with your rack or kick, it is allowed to throw the ball in accordance with the above rules. If the obstacle is on the line of impact, this is not a reason to alleviate your situation. An exception is possible only if the ball and the barrier are on the “putting green”

Water barriers

The counting card must contain local regulations regarding water hazards. Specify with its help whether the nearby bodies of water (if any) are a water barrier, or whether they are classified as a lateral barrier.

In the first case, the ball that hit the water is played from the position in which it finds itself, or with a penalty of one hit on two options:

1. The ball is thrown on the ground behind the water barrier. At the same time it should be on the line between the hole and the place where it fell.
2. The ball is beaten from the position from which it was sent into the water.

In the event that a water body is considered to be a side barrier, then in addition to the above rules, with one stroke of a fine, it can be thrown a distance of no more than 2 clubs from the place where it crossed the water barrier. This can be done either in front of the barrier, or behind it. In the second case, the distance is calculated from the point equivalent to the intersection point, relative to the well.

The ball was out of bounds or lost

The scorecard, among other things, must indicate the limits of the golf course. If the ball was knocked out of the field or the enclosing water barrier, its owner receives 1 fine strike and hits the new ball from the same place. Lost is the ball, which is not found within 5 minutes. If the player knows about where to look for the ball, but does not want to delay the team, he can use the “temporary ball”. After hitting him, the player must go in search of the lost ball, while the others also make their shots.

Unplayable ball

If the ball is on land, but you are sure that it cannot be played due to an unsuccessful position, then with a penalty of one hit it is allowed:

1. Throw the ball a distance not exceeding the length of the two clubs in any direction other than the direction of the hole.
2. Throw the ball at any distance in the direction opposite to the hole, provided that the ball remains in line with the hole and the place of the failed strike.
3. Replay the ball.

Acquainted with the basic rules, consider some attributes, without which this game would be inferior. Golf is not just a sport, but a whole action in which there are no trifles.

Clothes and shoes

Properly chosen golf clothing shows respect for the person who invited you to the game and to the game itself. In this game, the representative view is not an excess, but the rule of good form. To look appropriate on a golf course, pay attention to such moments:

1. A shirt (t-shirt) with a collar is a mandatory attribute.
2. Shorts can be worn instead of trousers, but they should go at least to the knees.
3. Denim clothing is not allowed!
4. On the pants or shorts must be strap under the belt.
5. The most suitable belt is leather.
6. Golf clothing can be colored, but you should not use many colors at the same time. It looks good when one bright color is combined with a neutral one. Patterned and checkered elements should be no more than one.
7. Golf shoes are also different from simple sports shoes. It used to be with metal spikes. Now they are replaced with soft spikes or just a special pattern of the sole. In case you are going to stay in the club house for lunch, you should take a pair of simple sports shoes with you. If you wear pants, the color of the socks should be in harmony with them. And if the shorts - socks are selected under the shoes.
8. The headgear is worn at discretion. The main thing is to match the style.
9. In cold weather, in addition put on sweaters, vests or golf jackets.

Sticks and balls

As already mentioned, the rules of golf are allowed to use no more than 14 clubs. At the same time, if you start the game with a smaller amount, you can replenish your arsenal during the game. “How many times can you change a club in golf?” Is an actual question among beginners. It is possible to take a new club for each strike, as long as it is included in those 14. Another important point: during the game it is forbidden to change the characteristics of selected clubs by adjusting them or weighting / alleviating them.

For a beginner, 3-4 clubs with different characteristics will be quite enough. Having played a couple of games with so many, you can decide about your personal preferences and purchase additional projectiles. Buying balls is worth considering how much you are willing to lose. The more balls you lose per game, the cheaper it is to choose models. Perhaps this is all that is needed for golf at first.

Conclusion

Golf is an expensive pleasure. But is this the main reason for his belonging to the elite ways of hanging out? Learning more closely the rules of the game of golf and its etiquette, it can be understood that it’s not money that matters, but behavior that for many, even in theory, is incomprehensible and meaningless. Golf is imbued with respect for both partners and rivals, as well as for the field and the historical past of the game. All this, along with the game strategy, creates a unique atmosphere that falls in love with oneself completely and irrevocably.

The collection, entitled "Rules of Golf", is published on a regular basis and also includes rules governing the status of amateur golfers. The rules are prepared and approved jointly by R & A Rules Ltd and the United States Golf Association (USGA).

This article does not affect the rules of the game of mini-golf, which is a separate document involving a separate procedure for the development and approval.

  Golf Rules History

The game of golf originated over 600 years ago in Scotland and consisted in trying to score a ball with clubs into the hole with a minimum sequence of punches for each hole. It is believed that initially there were 3 fundamental rules that players had to follow:

• Play the ball as he lay down;

• Play the field as it is;

• If neither one nor the other is possible, do justice.

These principles are also published on the back page of the modern rules of golf with the proviso “But in order to act fairly, you need to know the rules of golf”.

The development of golf and the first official competitions in this sport required the creation of more detailed rules. By the 18th century, most golf clubs in Great Britain formed the general traditions of the game, but the player’s actions and fines were slightly different from club to club, if obstacles, obstacles or interference interfered with the game.

The earliest extant written golf rules were prepared by Gentlemen Golfers of Leith (Gentlemen Golfers of Leith) on March 7, 1744 for the tournament held on April 2. They were called "Articles and laws when playing golf" ("Articles and Laws in Playing at Golf") and consisted of 13 rules.

• 1. You must place the ball on the tees within the length of the stick from the hole.

• 2. Ti must rise above the ground.

• 3. You are not entitled to replace the ball, which struck with tees.

• 4. You may not remove stones, bones or debris from the clubs for the sake of playing the ball except when playing on the proper green and within the same length of the stick from the ball.

• 5. If your ball hit the water or any liquid dirt, you have the right to pick up your ball and place it in front of the barrier and put it on the tee; You can play the ball with any stick and must give up one blow for your opponent for having extracted your ball in this way.

• 6. If your balls are found anywhere touching each other, you should pick up the first ball until you play the last ball.

• 7. When rolling in the hole, you should honestly play your ball in the hole and not play the ball of your opponent if it does not lie in your way.

• 8. If you lost your ball because it was raised or otherwise disappeared, you should return to the point from which the last blow was made, throw in another ball and concede one blow in favor of your opponent in connection with this trouble.

• 9. No one is allowed to mark the path to the hole with a club or otherwise when rolling the ball into the hole.

• 10. If the ball is stopped by any person, horse, dog or anything else, the ball stopped in this way should be played from where it lies.

• 11. If you make a movement with your club for a strike, during a stroke you begin to move the club down and at the same time the club breaks in any way, this is considered a stroke.

• 12. The one whose ball lies farther from the hole must play first.

• 13. Trenches, moats, barriers made to save the field, training holes or trenches are not considered an obstacle; instead, remove the ball and play it with any stick.

For a number of years, two organizations acted as “trendsetters” in the Golf Rules area: Gentlemen Leith's golfers (later the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers) and the Society of St. Andrews Golfers since 1754 In 1834, the Society changed its name to the Royal And Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews), which took over the leadership of golf on a global scale (first of all in Great Britain and its numerous colonies). In 1884, the Golf Club Rules Committee was established at the club.

In the 1880s, golf developed in the United States, and in December 1894, the United States Golf Association was organized (United States Golf Association - USGA). The USGA began to produce its own rules of golf, operating in the United States and Mexico, and the Royal and Ancient (R & A) club began to manage golf "Worldwide, with the exception of the United States and Mexico." Only by 1952, the USGA and R & A agreed on an agreed text of the Golf Rules, in 1984 a rule was drafted, similar in structure to the current one, and an agreement on a completely uniform text of the rules was reached only by 2000.

In 2004, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club St. Andrews considered it inappropriate to issue international golf rules under their own name, since the main function of each golf club is to work exclusively in the interests of their member golfers. Under the auspices of the club, a private company, R & A Rules Ltd, was established, by which the former functions of the club were entrusted to develop, approve and administer international rules.

To date, golf is different from most world-wide sports. If in other sports international rules of the game are usually prepared and approved by an international or world sports federation (association, sports union), then there are two such organizations in golf: USGA (formally - a sports federation of a single country) and R & A Rules Ltd (formally - a private company although traditionally internationally respected as a “world golf leader”).

  Modern Golf Rules

The order has now been adopted when a new edition of the Golf Rules is issued once every four years and the text of the rules is the result of discussion and coordination of the editorial board with a wide range of national golf sport federations. The current 31st edition of the Golf Rules has been adopted for 2008–2011. Collection of "Golf Rules" includes the following sections.

• Preface.

• The list of changes made to this edition compared to the previous one.

• Recommendations on the use of the book (this section in the 31st edition appeared for the first time, contains useful tips on how a golfer to quickly and effectively find in the rule book a description of a specific situation when you need to know the order of your actions, penalties, etc.) .

• A quick guide to the Golf Rules (when preparing previous editions, various abbreviated versions of the rules were prepared as separate, stand-alone editions).

• Section I. Etiquette and rules of conduct on the field. Golf etiquette is considered an independent and very important part of the rules. Etiquette requirements emphasize two points: (1) respect for other golfers (honesty, safety) and (2) concern for maintaining the golf course.

• Section II. Terms and Definitions.

• Section III. Rules of the game. The current edition includes 34 rules (some rules take up several pages of text). The rules are grouped into the following sections: Game; Sticks and ball; Player responsibilities; The order of the game; Playground; Ball; Green; Shift, deflect or stop the ball; The influence of different situations and the procedure for eliminating the influence; Other game formats; Organization of the game.

• Appendix I. It consists of three parts: Part A “Local Rules”; Part B "Approximate local rules"; Part C "Competition conditions".

• Appendix II. The design of the clubs.

• Appendix III. Ball.

• The rules that determine the status of an amateur (this section, strictly speaking, does not apply to the rules of the game, but is traditionally published in the collection of "Golf Rules").

  Golf rules in the broad sense of the word

Sometimes the notion of “golf rules” is interpreted in a wider sense and in addition to the content of the collection of “Golf rules” (golf etiquette, definitions of terms, the text of the 34 rules, annexes) includes:

• Decisions on the Rules of Golf. This book is published biennially by the organizations R & A Rules Ltd and the USGA. It contains official comments, explanations, interpretations of the rules, examples of specific situations of their use, etc.

• Local rules established by the Golf Club Committee to specify the methods used to determine the boundaries of the field, ball throwing points, environmentally vulnerable areas, etc.

• Rules used in competitions, for example, a ban on the use of self-propelled vehicles during a round, or rules relating to temporary fixed obstacles (GNP).

• The rules governing the size, shape and physical and game characteristics of golf equipment (clubs and balls) defined by R & A Rules Ltd and USGA (In addition to the minimum requirements given in Appendices II and III of the rules, special collections are published containing detailed descriptions, characteristics measurement techniques, etc.).

• The rules governing the game of golf golfers with disabilities: “Modified golf rules for disabled golfers”, published by R & A Rules Ltd and USGA (contain features of the use of the Golf Rules for playing people with various mental and physical disabilities).

In Russia, when holding competitions of all-Russian scale, it is prescribed to be guided by:

• the official text of the current edition of the Golf Rules, approved by the Russian Golf Association and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of Russia;

• Regulations on relevant competitions (for competitions of all-Russian scale are approved in the prescribed manner by the Russian Golf Association and the Ministry of Sport and Tourism Russia);

• The regulations of the respective competitions (approved by the Golf Association of Russia, contain more detailed conditions of the competition compared to the Regulations, a description of the specific financial and organizational aspects of the tournaments).

• Local competition rules, approved by the main referee boards of the competition, prepared in accordance with the Golf Rules and reflecting the non-standard specific conditions of a particular golf course.

  Changes Rules  in recent years

« Golf rules»Were subjected to rather serious processing in the 29th edition of 2000-2003, when quite archaic legal English was practically rewritten again by more modern English.

Quite a lot of changes compared with the previous version contained the current 31st edition Golf rules". Policy makers cite as reasons for the change “On the one hand, rules  should not contradict the age-old fundamentals and traditions of the game, on the other hand, they should be formulated clearly, clearly and unambiguously, and the penalties provided for by the rules should be reasonable. ”

If clarification of the wording and adjustment of the penalties imposed (clarity, rationality) became mainly the subject of discussion by specialists, then the greatest public resonance of the latest changes in the rules led to stricter technical requirements for golf clubs. This is due to the struggle of two opposing tendencies. On the one hand, golf equipment manufacturers strive to use modern technologies and new materials (graphite composite materials for rod cores, exotic metals - titanium, tungsten, molybdenum - for club heads, special polymers for balls, etc.) to achieve special gaming characteristics and benefits in the inventory market. On the other hand, R & A Rules Ltd is trying to stand guard over the “centuries-old traditions of the game” and severely restrict the capabilities of manufacturers.

The most discussed issues include (1) a new rule about club heads with a too large spring effect (a certain value of the ball rebound ratio from the impact surface) and (2) a new rule regulating the characteristics of the grooves on the front surface of the clubs for a short game (decreasing the reverse speed). rotation of the ball, which players can achieve, especially when playing from Rafah). Currently, the R & A Rules Ltd website publishes allowed and prohibited driver model lists, permitted golf ball lists. The discrepancy between the equipment of golfers participating in official high-level competitions and these lists can be interpreted as a violation by them " Golf rules».

  Golf rules in Russia

First Edition " Golf rules»In Russian was prepared by the Russian Golf Association (Minutes of the Presidium meeting No. 20 of December 27, 2004).

The current third edition " Golf rules»In Russian was prepared by the Russian Golf Association and published in 2008, is a translation of the 31st international edition. The publication was carried out under a license agreement with R & A Rules Ltd. The translation was carried out by a working group led by A.M. Sidorov, the working group included experts who worked on the previous edition of A.L. Nikolov and N.A. Remizov, as well as sports judges A.V. Moskalev, V.V. Mochalov and S.P. Rakivnenko. Almost all the participants of the working group passed seminars of judges of R & A Rules Ltd, passed the exam for an international judicial certificate, had experience of working as a referee at competitions of various ranks. When translating the text was reworked, the translation of a number of English terms was clarified. The translation was reviewed at the University of Glasgow, the final version took into account the comments and suggestions of reviewers. The rules were officially approved by the Russian Golf Association (Minutes of the meeting of Presidium No. 4 of November 18, 2008). In accordance with the current legislation (see clause 4 of Article 25 of the Federal Law “On Physical Culture and Sports in the Russian Federation” No. 329-ФЗ of December 4, 2007), the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of Russia (Order No. 276 of April 2 2010). For financial and organizational reasons, the editors were available in electronic form, and were printed only in spring 2011.

• A forum dedicated to the rules of golf - interpretation and interpretation of the rules, expert advice, discussion.

If you have just started to learn golf and do not know the rules yet, do not worry! The practical minimum, coupled with the club etiquette is usually set out on the player's counting card. But if your goal is not just participation, but a sure victory, the rules of the game of golf need to be known by heart: penalties are charged for mistakes, and in the match game you will have to give in to the opposing side.

What else do you need to know?

Golf rules:

As you can see, accuracy, tact and accuracy and attentiveness are the best qualities for golf!

Golf Course Quick Guide

The purpose of this guide is to focus on the most frequently used Rules and to give the simplest explanation of these Rules. This guide does not replace the rules of golf, which should be addressed in case of any doubt. For more information on the questions outlined here, please refer to the relevant Rules.

Main provisions

The game of golf should proceed in the correct manner, for which you should read the section of the Golf Rules on etiquette. In particular:

Always show respect to other players;

Play at a good pace and be ready to invite faster groups to overtake;

Take care of the field, leveling the bunkers, returning the divos to their former place, eliminating traces of balls falling off on the greens.

Read the Local Rules on the counting card or on the information board;

Put an identification mark on your ball. Many golfers play the same brand of balls, and if you cannot identify your ball, it will be considered lost (Rules 12-2 and 27-1);

Do not ask for advice from anyone except your partner (ie, the player on your side) or your caddies; Do not give advice to anyone except your partner. But you have the right to ask questions about the Rules, distances, the position of obstacles, a flag, etc. (Rule 8-1);

Do not take any training shots while playing the hole (Rule 7-2);

Do not use any artificial devices or unusual playing equipment unless specified by Local Rules (Rule 14-3).

At the end of the round:

In a match game, make sure that the result of the match is fixed;

When playing against strokes, make sure that the score card is fully framed (including its signing by you and your marker), and submit it to the Committee as soon as possible (Rule 6-6).

Rules of the game

Blow from the tee (Rule 11)

Place the ball for the first strike between the two markers, but not in front of them. You may place the ball for the first strike within two stick lengths behind the line between the markers.

If you make the first strike from outside the tee:

There is no penalty in match play, but your opponent has the right to demand a replay of the strike, provided that he does so immediately;

When you play at the expense of strikes, you incur a penalty of two hits, after which you must play from the right place.

Ball game (Rules 12,13,14 and 15)

If you think you have found your ball, but the identification mark is not visible, you can mark the position of the ball and pick it up to determine the affiliation, after notifying your marker or opponent (Rule 12-2).

Play the ball as it lies. Do not improve the position of the ball, the area of ​​the proposed stance or swing, or the line of play:

Shifting, bending down or breaking something fixed or growing, except as a result of the normal adoption of the game stand or in the process of swing;

Pressing something into the ground (Rule 13-2).

If the ball is in a bunker or water barrier, you should not:

Touch the ground (or water in a water barrier) with your hand or stick before the start of the shock motion;

Shift free interference (Rule 13-4).

If you play the wrong ball:

In match play, you lose the hole;

When playing at the expense of strikes - you are subject to a fine of two hits and are obliged to correct the mistake by playing the correct ball (Rule 15-3).

On the putting green (Rules 16 and 17)

On the putting green you have the right to:

Mark, pick up and clean the ball (always returning it exactly to its original place);

Eliminate traces of falling balls or traces of previous holes, but not any other damage, such as traces of shoe spikes (Rule 16-1). When making a hit on the putting green, make sure that the box is removed from the hole or maintained. A check mark can be removed or maintained even when the ball is outside the putting green (Rule 17).

Shifting the ball at rest (Rule 18)

In general, when your ball is in play, and with it:

You accidentally pushed him;

You raised it when it is not allowed;

The ball moved after you were ready to strike;

turn down your free kick and return the ball to its former place (but there are exceptions - see Rules 18-2a and 18-2b).

If someone besides you, your partner or your caddies moved your ball at rest, or it was moved by another ball, then return: howl the ball to its original place without penalty.

If the ball is at rest, moved by the wind or spontaneously, play it from the position in which it was, without penalty.

Rejecting or stopping a moving ball (Rule 19)

If the ball you played is rejected or stopped by you, your partner, your caddy or equipment, add yourself a free-kick and play the ball 13 in the position it was in (Rule 19-2).

If the ball played by you is rejected or stopped by another ball that was at rest, in general it should be played without penalty from the position in which the ball was. However, only when playing against shots, you are subject to a two-hit penalty, if both balls were on the putting green before your shot (rule 19-5a).

Raising, throwing and setting the ball (Rule 20)

Before lifting the ball, which must be returned to its original place (for example, when the ball is raised on the putting green for cleaning), its position must be marked (Rule 20-1).

If the ball is raised for a throw-in or installation in another place (for example, a throw-in within two stick lengths according to the Rule on an unplayable ball, etc.), you are not required to mark the position of the ball, although it is recommended to do so.

While throwing, stand straight, hold the ball with your outstretched hand at the level of the treatment, then release it.

A thrown ball must be thrown again in the following most common situations:

The ball rolled into a position where it was influenced by those circumstances, the elimination of the influence of which was carried out (for example, a fixed obstacle);

The ball stopped at a distance of more than two stick lengths from the point where it was thrown;

The ball stopped closer to the hole than its original position, the closest impact elimination point, or the last crossing point of the water barrier.

All Rule 20-2c provides for nine cases in which an injected ball must be re-injected.

If the re-thrown ball has rolled back to any of these positions, set it to the point of the first touch of the field when re-throwing. Ball that helps or interferes with the game (Rule 22)

You may:

Raise your ball or demand to raise any other ball, if you think that the ball can help any other player;

Require to raise any ball if it can affect your game.

You must not agree to leave your ball in a position that helps another player play.

A ball that has been raised to help or hinder the game cannot be cleared, except when it was raised on the putting green.

Free Interference (Rule 23)

You have the right to move free interference (i.e., loose natural objects, such as stones, fallen leaves or branches), except for cases where both the obstacle and the ball are in the same obstacle. If you remove free interference and at the same time move the ball, the ball must be installed in the same place, and you are subject to a penalty of one hit, except when the ball is on the putting green.

Moving obstacles (Rule 24-1)

Moving obstacles (i.e., artificial moving objects, such as rakes, bottles, etc.) that are located anywhere can be moved without penalty. If at the same time the ball moved, it should be installed in its original place without penalty.

If the ball lies inside or on a moving obstacle, the ball can be lifted, the obstacle removed, and the ball is thrown at a point without a fine at the point directly below the place where the ball lay on the obstacle (except for the putting green, where the ball should be set to this point).

Fixed obstacles and abnormal condition of the field site (Rules 24-2 and 25-1)

A fixed obstacle is any artificial object on the field that cannot be moved (for example, a building) or which can only be moved by applying excessive efforts (for example, a fixed pointer). Objects denoting field boundaries are not considered obstacles.

The abnormal condition of the field site is random water, the repaired area, as well as a hole, a dent in the soil or a path made in the field by a burrowed animal, a reptile or a bird.

Except when the ball is in a water obstacle, you have the right to eliminate the influence of a fixed obstacle or an abnormal state of a section of the field if it physically interferes with the position of the ball, your stand or the swing. You have the right to pick up the ball and throw it within the same club length from the nearest impact elimination point (see definition “The closest influence elimination point”), but no closer to the hole than this point (see diagram). If the ball is on the putting green, it is placed on the nearest impact elimination point, which may be outside the putting green.

You have no right to eliminate the influence of interference in the game line, except for the case when both your ball and the intervention are on the putting green. An additional option is available if your ball is in a bunker. You have the right to eliminate the interference effect by throwing the ball out of the bunker behind it with a penalty of one hit.

This diagram illustrates the concept of the “nearest point of eliminating the influence” of Rules 24-2 and 25-1 for a player with a right-sided stand.

Game direction

Right handed player

B1 = position of the ball on the track, in the repaired area, etc.

P1 = closest impact elimination point

Shaded area P1 = area within which the ball must be thrown, with a radius of one length of the club from the P1 point, measured by any club B2 = position of the ball on the track, in the repaired area, etc.

Estimated rack for a game from point P2 with a club that the player chose for the next strike P2 = closest impact elimination point

Shaded zone P2 = the zone within which the ball must be thrown in, with a radius of one club length from the P2 point, measured by any club

Water Barriers (Rule 26)

If your ball is in a water hazard (yellow pegs and / or lines), you are entitled to play the ball from the position in which it finds itself, or with a one-hit penalty:

Play again from the point where you last hit;

Throw the ball at any distance behind the water barrier, on the continuation of a straight line from the hole through the point where the ball last crossed the water barrier.

If your ball is in a side water barrier (red pegs and / or lines), then in addition to the possibilities for a ball in a water barrier (see above), you have the right to throw the ball within two clubs from two stick lengths from:

The point where the ball last crossed the barrier of the obstacle;

Points on the opposite border of the barrier, equidistant from the hole; but no closer to the hole than these points are.

The ball, played from the tee at point A, stopped at a lateral water barrier at point B after the last time he crossed the boundary of the water barrier at point C.

The player has the following features:

Play the ball as it lies, without penalty, from point B, or with a penalty of one hit:

Play another ball from the field

Throw the ball behind the obstacle anywhere on the dotted line going backwards from point D

Throw the ball in the shaded area at point C (i.e., within two stick lengths from the point C, but no closer to the hole than point C)

Throw the ball in the shaded area at point E (that is, within two stick lengths from point E, but no closer to the hole than point E).

The ball is lost or out of bounds. Provisional Ball (Rule 27)

Specify how the field limits are determined by the Local Rules on the scorecard. Usually they are defined by fences, walls, white pegs or white lines.

If the ball is lost outside a water hazard or turned out to be out of bounds, you must play the ball with a penalty of one hit from the point from which the last kick was played (i.e., using the kick and distance procedure).

You have 5 minutes to search for the ball. If the ball is not found within 5 minutes, it is considered lost.

If, after a strike, you assume that the ball may be lost outside the water hazard or may be out of the field, you should play a temporary ball. You must declare that this is a temporary ball and play it before you start moving to find the original ball. If the original ball is lost (outside the water hazard) or out of the field, you must continue playing with a temporary ball with a one-hit penalty. If the original ball is found within the field, you must continue playing this ball, and the game with the temporary ball must be stopped.

Unplayable Ball (Rule 28)

If your ball is in a water obstacle, and you do not want to play it as it lies, you are obliged to act according to the rule about water barriers - the rule about an unplayable ball does not apply. In any other part of the field, if you think your ball is unplayable, you are entitled to a one-hit penalty:

Throw the ball at the point where you last played the ball;

Throw the ball at any distance behind the point where the ball is located, on the continuation of a straight line from the hole through this point;

Throw the ball within two clubs from the place where the ball lies, but no closer to the hole.

If your ball is not played in the bunker, you have the right to act as described above, but when throwing the ball in the line backwards or within two stick lengths you must throw it in the bunker.

The ball, played from the court at the point A, stopped in the bushes at point B.

In the event that a player considers this ball unplayable, he has the following possibilities with a penalty of one hit:

Play the ball from the playground to throw the ball behind point B on the dotted line

Throw the ball in the shaded area (that is, within two stick lengths from point B, but no closer to the hole than point B).

Golf (from the English. golf) - a male Olympic sport in which individual participants or teams try to drive a small ball by striking clubs into special holes. Importantly, the ball needs to be rolled into the hole for fewer strokes.

   The history of the origin and development of golf

The exact date of the occurrence of golf is not known, but it is believed that it was invented by Scottish shepherds who tried to roll stones into rabbit holes with their staffs. Although many historians disagree with this, it is believed that golf originated in the Roman Empire and the game was played with bent sticks and a ball full of feathers. According to other theories, golf appeared in China, during the Ming dynasty, a scroll with an image of the emperor, who is trying to push the ball into the hole with something like a stick, says this.

However, modern golf comes from Scotland. The first mention of the game is considered to be the decree of 1457, King Jacob II of Scotland, banning golf, as it distracted archers from training. There were also invented the rules and system with 18 holes on the field.

In 1900, golf was first included in the program of the Olympic Games in Paris (France).

   Golf rules (briefly)

Before you start the game, you must do the following:

1. Read the local rules of the game.
2. Put the identification mark on the ball. This is necessary so that you can identify your ball among the rest. If the ball could not be identified, it is considered lost.
3. Check the number of clubs, allowed to have no more than 14 pieces.

The game of golf starts from the starting zone or as it is also called the “tee” zone. It is so named because of the T-shaped stand, on which the ball is mounted. Ideally, the player with the first strike should direct the ball into the main zone, then, over several blows, overcome it and send the ball to the platform with perfect grass (“green”). In order to roll the ball into the hole with the green, you must use a special putter.

In addition to standard rules, in golf there are rules of etiquette:

• Refrain from playing until the team ahead retires to a safe distance.
• Never delay a game. Release the putting green immediately after all the players in your group have passed the hole.
• Skip ahead groups playing faster than you.
• Recover the sod.
• Level the tracks in the bins.
• Do not stand on the line of putting another partner
• Do not put clubs on the putting green.
• Insert the flag into place neatly.

   Golf course

The golf course must meet a number of requirements, namely, consist of a series of holes, each hole must have its own launch pad. On the launch pad there are two marks that show the permissible boundaries of the zone for installing the ball peg. In addition to the launch pad, the field contains: a smooth field, an uneven field, and other obstacles.

The final part of the area is the hole, which is marked for easy orientation. The hole is placed on a plot with a minimum height of grass, which is called "green." In the remaining areas, the height of the grass fluctuates, this is done in order to make it difficult for players to pass the ground.

As a rule, the holes are located in the line of sight from the launch pad to the green. But this is not always the case, if the holes are deflected to the left or to the right, such holes are called “left dogleg” and “right dogleg”, respectively. If the direction bends twice, then the hole is called “double dogleg”.

The sites consist of 18 holes, but there are areas with 9 holes, in such a situation they pass two times, which adds up to the same 18 holes.

   Golf equipment and gear

Let's start a review of golf equipment with clubs. A player can take no more than 14 clubs with him to the game, each of them is designed to perform a certain hit. Golf clubs are divided into two types:

• "Wood" - clubs, designed to perform strikes over maximum distances, as a rule, such are the first blows. They are called "wood" (from the English. "Wood") because of the wooden head, although modern woods are made from metal alloys based on titanium.
• “Iron” (irons) - clubs, designed to perform strikes at different distances, depending on the position of the ball. The clubs have this name because their head is made of metal.

In addition to the material, the clubs differ in the shape of the heads. So for strikes over short distances and with high trajectories, they use “pitching wedge” clubs (wedge), the angle of inclination of such clubs is 50-60 degrees. If the blow must be made from a sand bin, then the sand wedge is suitable for this, it has a heavier base and a special shape. For the final blows, the players use a stick called “putter” (putter), it is designed specifically for strikes on a flat surface with great accuracy.

In the wood and iron groups, the clubs are numbered depending on the angle between the shaft and the front impact surface of the head. The smaller the number, the longer the potential trajectory of impact. The difference in the length of strikes clubs next room is about 10 meters.

Another important piece of golf equipment is balls. They must have the following characteristics:

• diameter not less than 4.27 cm
• weight in the range of 41-46 grams,
• the surface of the ball should have 300-500 depressions (the larger the depressions, the higher the ball flies),

Considering the golf balls, mention should be made of the "compression" index. In simple terms, compression is the level of deformation of the ball upon impact. Its conditional value varies from 0 (the ball is strongly deformed upon impact) to 200 (the ball is not deformed upon impact). Most of the balls have a compression of 80-100 (compressed by 2-3 mm at impact).

According to the internal arrangement, balls can consist of one, two, three or more layers-components. Single-layer balls because of their low cost are ideal for training beginners.

Double-layer balls consist of a hard core and a thin hard shell. They combine low cost, durability and range, therefore suitable for most golfers.

Three-layer balls are wound from an elastic thread over an elastic or gel-like core. Such balls can be very tightly twisted, sometimes it is very beneficial for athletes.

In four-layer balls there is an additional layer between the sheath and the shell. The potential of such balls can be revealed only by professionals.

   Golf tournaments

The most prestigious and popular professional tournaments include:

• Omni games. Golf was included in the program of the Olympic Games of 2016, before that golf was only 2 times at olympiads (1900, 1904).
• Masters ( The masters tournament) - one of the four major golf tournaments of the series (similar to the Grand Slam tournaments in tennis).
• The US Open (US Open) is an annual open golf championship held in the United States.
• The Open Championship (The Open Championship) is the oldest golf competition, one of the four major tournaments in the series.
• The Professional Golf Association Championship (PGA Championship) is an annual golf tournament held by the Professional Golfers Association of America.