Purpose of Rule: Rule 5 covers how to play a round – such as where and when you may practise on the course before or during your round, when your round starts and ends and what happens when play has ...

Purpose of Rule: This Rule allows you to do things on the putting green that are normally not allowed off the putting green, such as being allowed to mark, lift, clean and replace your ball and to ...

The Equipment Database identifies golf balls and clubs that have been submitted and evaluated for conformance to the Rules of Golf by the United States Golf Association and/or The R&A. 3) Clubs ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 8 covers a central principle of the game: “play the course as you find it.” When your ball comes to rest, you normally have to accept the conditions affecting the stroke and not ...

Handicap allowances are designed to provide equity in different formats of play, over both 9 holes and 18 holes. The National Association is responsible for establishing handicap allowances, or it can ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 14 covers when and how you may mark the spot of your ball at rest and lift and clean your ball and how to put it back into play so that your ball is played from the right place.

You must fairly strike at the ball with the head of the club such that there is only momentary contact between the club and the ball and you must not push, scrape or scoop the ball. If your club ...

If you're new to the system and posting your initial three scores to establish your Handicap Index®, the maximum hole score you can post is par + 5. Once your Handicap Index has been established, the ...

What are the changes associated with Phase 2 of the USGA Handicap Review Tool? Which reports should a golf club run to identify any individual players who may require a Handicap Review?

Play the course as you find it and play your ball as it lies. Play by the Rules and in the spirit of the game. You are responsible for applying your own penalties if you breach a Rule, so that you ...

Learn more about the leadership of the United States Golf Association, as well as the USGA's non-profit mission, vision statement, and our annual awards, given to individuals who impact golf at the ...