Golf is played by millions around the world and is growing in India, with more courses, tournaments and young players. The Rules of Golf are written jointly by The R&A and the USGA, and were simplified in a major update in 2019. Here is a beginner friendly guide.
The basics
- The aim is to hit the ball into a series of holes using as few strokes as possible.
- A standard course has 18 holes.
- Each hole has a tee box where you start, a fairway, rough, hazards like bunkers and water, and a putting green with the hole.
What is par
Par is the number of strokes an expert golfer is expected to need for a hole. Holes are usually par 3, par 4 or par 5. A full course is often around par 72.
Scoring terms
- Birdie: one under par on a hole.
- Eagle: two under par.
- Albatross: three under par.
- Bogey: one over par.
- Double bogey: two over par.
- Hole in one: holing the tee shot in a single stroke.
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Formats
- Stroke play: all strokes over the round are counted, and the lowest total wins. Most professional tournaments use this.
- Match play: players compete hole by hole. The player who wins more holes wins the match, as in the Ryder Cup.
Handicap
The World Handicap System, introduced in 2020, gives each amateur golfer a handicap index that reflects their ability. It allows players of different levels to compete fairly.
Key rules
- A player can carry a maximum of 14 clubs.
- Play the ball as it lies, unless the rules allow relief.
- Out of bounds or a lost ball: penalty of one stroke, and the player usually replays from the previous spot, called stroke and distance.
- Water hazards, called penalty areas, allow relief with a one stroke penalty.
- Bunkers: avoid touching the sand with the club before the stroke, with some exceptions.
Etiquette
- Stay quiet when others play.
- Repair divots and pitch marks, and rake bunkers.
- Keep pace with the group ahead.
- Shout fore to warn others if your ball is heading towards them.
Golf at the Olympics
Golf returned to the Olympics at Rio 2016 after more than a century. India’s Aditi Ashok finished fourth in women’s golf at the Tokyo Games, narrowly missing a medal.
Golf in India
The Indian Golf Union governs amateur golf in India. Indian professionals like Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Anirban Lahiri and Shubhankar Sharma have competed on international tours.
Bottom line
Golf rewards patience and precision. Learn par, the scoring terms and a few key rules, and the game becomes easy to follow.
Source / स्रोत: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Indian Golf Union, International Golf Federation
