The first documented mention of golf dates back to 1457, making it one of the oldest sports still practiced today worldwide. Especially because of this long tradition, golf continues to fascinate new generations. We have summarised the most important rules of this sport for you here in brief.
A set of rules with hundreds of changes
Regardless of how many holes you play in golf, the goal is always the same: to complete the round with as few strokes as possible. However, the rules of golf are much more complicated than that now sounds. The main reason for this is the fact that golf is played outdoors. This results in a multitude of situations that require uniform rules. That is why the rules have changed regularly since they were first drafted in 1744. However, as rules are also subject to interpretation, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews also publishes decisions on individual issues. This collection now comprises more than 800 pages. So even though there are only 34 rules for golf, they have been refined and interpreted over the centuries to suit each individual case.
- We have listed the golf rules in detail for you here
- On the basis examples you can understand the most important rules of golf
The most important goal: as few strokes as possible
Since the number of strokes decides on victory and defeat, the most important basic rules of sport also deal with this number. For each individual course a certain value is fixed, which is called “par”. This is the number of strokes a very good golfer needs to complete the course. It is based on two strokes, so-called putts, on the turf surrounding the hole, the so-called green. The number of strokes is determined mainly by the difficulty of the hole. It is the length of the course, the number of sand pits called bunkers or water hazards. If more than par is required for a shot, it is a bogey. A stroke less is a birdie. Two strokes less is an eagle. If the hole is hit with only a single shot, it is called an ace, in English ace or hole in one. The number of strokes required for a course is also decisive for the handicap of a player. According to the statutes of the German Golf Association, DGV for short, this is determined after the counting game to Stableford. The points scale of this system grants up to five points per hole, starting with one point for one over par.
The sport of golf – a world of its own
As mentioned above, despite its advanced age, golf still regularly receives a wealth of new official and semi-official rules. But the weather does not only have a decisive influence on the rules. The outcome of many games is also decisively influenced by the prevailing weather as well as by the natural conditions on and around the golf course. These external influences will ensure that the rules of this sport will continue to be developed in detail for years and decades to come – and thus keep a centuries-old tradition alive.
The Etiquette
Etiquette means nothing other than appropriate and sporting behaviour on the golf course. The disregard of the etiquette does not result in punitive shots, but the annoyance of the other players.
Without the rules of conduct a fluent and fair game would hardly be possible. But also in order to protect the golf course in the best possible way, it is essential to observe these rules.
The most important rules of golf etiquette in key points:
- Make sure you wear appropriate clothing (no blue jeans, tracksuits, sneakers, etc)
- Pitch marks on the green must be carefully removed
- Level the bunker again after blows and put the rake into the bunker
- Reinsert divots and press firmly
- no trial swings on the tees
- play fast and loose
- Observe the right of way on the pitch (play faster games, play the following flight when looking for a ball, on busy days: four-ball before three-ball before two-ball, single players have no right of way and must let every other game pass)
- Only play when the players in front of them are out of range