Rule of the Week

All Rules Topics


8/8/2021 - Equipment - Clubs; Part 1
​7/4/2021 - Equipment - Clubs; Part 2
6/28/2021 - Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person, Animal or Object; Deliberate Actions to Affect Ball in Motion; Part 2
5/23/2021 - Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person, Animal or Object; Deliberate Actions to Affect Ball in Motion; Part 1
4/14/2021 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Part 4
​3/14/2021 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Part 3
1/27/2021 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Part 2
1/16/2021 - Preparing for and Making a Stroke; Advice and Help; Part 1
12/20/2020 - Course Played as It Is Found: Actions That Improve Conditions Part 2
12/6/2020 - Course Played as It Is Found: Actions That Improve Conditions Part 1
11/28/2020 - Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Your Ball Part 2
11/15/2020 - Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Your Ball Part 1
10/26/2020 - Ball Dropping in Relief Area
9/15/2020 - Replacing Ball on Spot
9/6/2020 - Marking, Lifting and Cleaning Ball
8/19/2020 - Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play
8/9/2020 - Relief from Moveable Obstructions
7/19/2020 - Relief from Loose Impediments
6/17/2020 - Lifting Your Ball to See If It Lies in Condition Where Relief Allowed
6/112020 - Scoring in Stroke Play
5/31/2020 - Dangerous Animal Condition
5/24/2020 - Relief for Ball on the Putting Green
5/17/2020 - Relief from ACC in General Area and Bunker
5/10/2020 - Relief from Abnormal Course Condition
4/4/2020 - Relief from Red Penalty Area
3/29/2020 - Relief from Yellow Penalty Area
3/22/2020 - Embedded Ball
3/15/2020 - Substitution of a Ball Always Allowed When Taking Relief
3/8/2020 - Unplayable Ball
​4.1 Clubs
​4.1a Clubs Allowed in Making a Stroke
(1) Conforming Clubs. In making a stroke, a player must use a club that conforms to the requirements in the Equipment Rules:
  • A club used to make a stroke must conform not only when the club is new, but also when it has been deliberately or accidentally changed in any way.
  • But if the performance characteristics of a conforming club change because of wear through normal use, it is still a conforming club.
(2) Use or Repair of Club Damaged During Round. If a conforming club is damaged during a round or while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, the player normally must not replace it with another club. (For a limited exception when the player did not cause the damage, see Rule 4.1b(3)).
But no matter what the nature or cause of the damage, the damaged club is treated as conforming for the rest of the round (but not during a play-off in stroke play, which is a new round).
(3) Deliberately Changing Club’s Performance Characteristics During Round. A player must not make a stroke with a club whose performance characteristics he or she deliberately changed during the round (including while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a):
  • By using an adjustable feature or physically changing the club (except when allowed to repair damage under Rule 4.1a(2)), or
  • By applying any substance to the clubhead (other than in cleaning it) to affect how it performs in making a stroke.
Exception – Adjustable Club Restored to Original Position: If a club’s performance characteristics were changed by using an adjustable feature and, before the club is used to make a stroke, the club is restored as nearly as possible to its original position by adjusting the feature back to where it was, there is no penalty and the club may be used to make a stroke. 

​Penalty for Making Stroke in Breach of Rule 4.1a: Disqualification.
  • There is no penalty under this Rule for merely having (but not making a stroke with) a non-conforming club or a club whose performance characteristics were deliberately changed during the round.
  • But such a club still counts towards the 14-club limit in Rule 4.1b(1).
4.1 Clubs
​4.1b Limit of 14 Clubs; Sharing, Adding or Replacing Clubs During Round
​You must not start a round with more than 14 clubs or have more than 14 clubs during the round. If you start a round with fewer than 14 clubs, you may add clubs during the round up to the 14-club limit.
When you become aware that you are in breach of this Rule by having more than 14 clubs, you must immediately take the excess club or clubs out of play, using the procedure in Rule 4.1c. ​
Penalty for Breach of Rule 4.1b: The penalty applies based on when you become aware of the breach:
  • While playing the hole: The penalty is applied at the end of the hole you are playing. In match play, you must complete the hole, apply the result of that hole to the match score and then apply the penalty to adjust the match score.
  • Between two holes: The penalty is applied as of the end of the hole just completed, not the next hole.
Penalty in Match Play - Match Score Revised by Deducting Hole, Maximum of Two Holes:
  • This is a match adjustment penalty – it is not the same as a loss of hole penalty.
  • At the end of the hole you are playing or just completed, the match score is revised by deducting one hole for each hole where a breach happened, with a maximum deduction of two holes in the round.
  • For example, if you started with 15 clubs and become aware of the breach while playing the 3rd hole and then win that hole to go three up in the match, the maximum adjustment of two holes applies and you would now be one up in the match.
Penalty in Stroke Play - Two Penalty Strokes, Maximum of Four Strokes: You get the general penalty (two penalty strokes) for each hole where a breach happened, with a maximum of four penalty strokes in the round (adding two penalty strokes at each of the first two holes where a breach happened). 
Rule 11.1 Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence
11.1b Ball Must Be Played as It Lies
If your ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence, your ball must be played as it lies, except in two situations:
Exception 1 – When Your Ball Played from Anywhere Except Putting Green Comes to Rest on Any Person, Animal or Moving Outside Influence: The player must not play the ball as it lies. Instead, the player must take relief:
  • When Ball Is Anywhere Except on Putting Green. The player must drop the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):
    • Reference Point: The estimated point right under where the ball first came to rest on the person, animal or moving outside influence.
    • Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: One club-length, but with these limits:
    • Limits on Location of Relief Area:
      • Must be in the same area of the course as the reference point, and
      • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point.
Exception 2 – When Your Ball Played from Putting Green Accidentally Hits Any Person, Animal or Movable Obstruction (Including Another Ball in Motion) on Putting Green: The stroke does not count and the original ball or another ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2), except in these two cases:
  • ​Ball in Motion Hits Another Ball at Rest or Ball-Marker on Putting Green. The stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. (See Rule 11.1a for whether a penalty applies in stroke play).
  • Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Flagstick or Person Attending Flagstick. This is covered by Rule 13.2b(2), not by this Rule.
Rule 11.1 Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence
11.1a No Penalty to Any Player
If a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence:
  • There is no penalty to any player.
  • This is true even if the ball hits the player, the opponent or any other player or any of their caddies or equipment.
Exception – Ball Played on Putting Green in Stroke Play: If the player’s ball in motion hits another ball at rest on the putting green and both balls were on the putting green before the stroke, the player gets the general penalty (two penalty strokes).

​Rule 10.2  Advice and Other Help
10.2a. Advice
During a round, you must not:
  • Give advice to anyone in the competition who is playing on the course, or
  • Ask anyone for advice, other than your caddie.
  • Touch another player’s equipment to learn information that would be advice if given by or asked of the other player.
10.2b Other help
Pointing Out Line of Play for Ball Anywhere Except on Putting Green. This is allowed, but any person must move away or any object must be removed before your stroke is made.
Pointing Out Line of Play for Ball on Putting Green. You or your caddie may do this, but:
  • Although you or your caddie may touch the putting green with a hand, foot or anything you are holding, you must not improve the conditions affecting your stroke, and
  • You or your caddie must not set an object down anywhere on or off the putting green to show your line of play. This is not allowed even if that object is removed before your stroke is made.
While the stroke is being made, your caddie must not deliberately stand on or close to your line of play or do anything else (such as pointing out a spot on the putting green) to point out the line of play.
Exception – Caddie Attending Flagstick: The caddie may stand in a location on or close to the player’s line of play to attend the flagstick.
No Setting Down Object to Help in Taking Stance. You must not take a stance for the stroke using any object that was set down to help in lining up your feet or body.
Restriction on Your Caddie Standing Behind You. When you begin taking your stance for the stroke and until your stroke is made:
  • Your caddie must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of your line of play behind your ball for any reason.
  • If you take a stance in breach of this Rule, you cannot avoid penalty by backing away.
Physical Help and Protection from Elements. You must not make a stroke:
  • While getting physical help from your caddie or any other person, or
  • With your caddie or any other person or object deliberately positioned to give you protection from sunlight, rain, wind or other elements.
Rule 10.1  Making a Stroke
10.1c. Making Stroke While Standing Across or on Line of Play
The player must not make a stroke from a stance with a foot deliberately placed on each side of, or with either foot deliberately touching, the line of play or an extension of that line behind the ball. 
​10.1d. Playing Moving Ball
You must not make a stroke at a moving ball. But there are three exceptions where there is no penalty:
  • Exception 1 – Ball Begins to Move Only after You Begin Backswing for Stroke.
  • Exception 2 – Ball Falling Off Tee.
  • Exception 3 – Ball Moving in Water.
In stroke play, a stroke made in breach of this Rule counts and you get two penalty strokes.
Rule 10.1  Making a Stroke
10.1b. Anchoring the Club
In making a stroke, you must not anchor the club either directly or indirectly, either:
  • Directly, by holding the club or a gripping hand against any part of the body (except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm), or
  • Indirectly, through use of an “anchor point,” by holding a forearm against any part of the body to use a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.
If the player’s club, gripping hand or forearm merely touches his or her body or clothing during the stroke, without being held against the body, there is no breach of this Rule.
For the purposes of this Rule, “forearm” means the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist.
Rule 10.1  Making a Stroke
10.1a. Fairly Striking the Ball
In making a stroke:
  •  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 accidentally hits the ball more than once, there has been only one stroke and there is no penalty.
Rule 8 Course Played as It Is Found
8.1  Your Actions That Improve Conditions Affecting Your Stroke
c. Avoiding Penalty by Restoring Conditions Improved in Breach of Rule 8.1a(1) or 8.1a(2)
If a player has improved the conditions affecting the stroke by moving, bending or breaking an object in breach of Rule 8.1a(1) or moving an object into position in breach of Rule 8.1a(2):
  • There is no penalty if, before making the next stroke, the player eliminates that improvement by restoring the original conditions in the ways allowed in (1) and (2) below.
  • But if the player improves the conditions affecting the stroke by taking any of the other actions covered by Rules 8.1a(3)-(5), he or she cannot avoid penalty by restoring the original conditions.
(1) How to Restore Conditions Improved by Moving, Bending or Breaking Object. Before making the stroke, the player may avoid penalty for breach of Rule 8.1a(1) by restoring the original object as nearly as possible to its original position so that the improvement created by the breach is eliminated, such as by:
  • Replacing a boundary object (such as a boundary stake) that had been removed or moving the boundary object back into its original position after it had been pushed to a different angle, or
  • Returning a tree branch or grass, or an immovable obstruction to its original position after it had been moved.
But the player cannot avoid penalty:
  • If the improvement is not eliminated (such as when a boundary object or branch has been bent or broken in a significant way so that it cannot be returned to the original position), or
  • By using anything other than the original object itself in trying to restore conditions, such as: Using a different or additional object (for example, placing a different stake in a hole from which a boundary stake had been removed or tying a moved branch into place), or Using other materials to repair the original object (for example, using tape to repair a broken boundary object or branch).
(2) How to Restore Conditions Improved by Moving an Object into Position. Before making the stroke, the player may avoid penalty for breach of Rule 8.1a(2) by removing the object that was moved into position.
Rule 8 Course Played as It Is Found
8.1  Your Actions That Improve Conditions Affecting Your Stroke
a. Actions That Are Not Allowed
Except in the limited ways allowed in Rules 8.1b, c and d, you must not take any of these actions if they improve the conditions affecting your stroke:
  • Move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object, or immovable obstruction, integral object or boundary object, or tee-marker for the teeing area when playing a ball from that teeing area.
  • Move a loose impediment or movable obstruction into position (such as to build a stance).
  • Alter the surface of the ground.
  • Remove or press down sand or loose soil.
  • Remove dew, frost or water.
b. Actions That Are Allowed
In preparing for or making a stroke, a player may take any of these actions and there is no penalty even if doing so improves the conditions affecting the stroke:
(1) Fairly search for his or her ball by taking reasonable actions to find and identify it (see Rule 7.1a).
(2) Take reasonable actions to remove loose impediments (see Rule 15.1) and movable obstructions (see Rule 15.2).
(3) Take reasonable actions to mark the spot of a ball and to lift and replace the ball under Rules 14.1 and 14.2.
(4) Ground the club lightly right in front of or right behind the ball.
But this does not allow:
  • Pressing the club on the ground, or
  • When a ball is in a bunker, touching the sand right in front of or right behind the ball (see Rule 12.2b(1)).
(5) Firmly place the feet in taking a stance, including a reasonable amount of digging in with the feet in sand or loose soil.
(6) Fairly take a stance by taking reasonable actions to get to the ball and take a stance.
But when doing so the player:
  • Is not entitled to a normal stance or swing, and
  • Must use the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation.
(7) Make a stroke or the backswing for a stroke which is then made.
But when the ball is in a bunker, touching the sand in the bunker in taking the backswing is not allowed under Rule 12.2b(1).
(8) In the teeing area:
  • Place a tee in or on the ground (see Rule 6.2b(2)),
  • Move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object (see Rule 6.2b(3)), and
  • Alter the surface of the ground, remove or press down sand and soil, or remove dew, frost or water (see Rule 6.2b(3)).
(9) In a bunker, smooth sand to care for the course after a ball played from the bunker is outside the bunker (see Rule 12.2b(3)).
(10) On the putting green, remove sand and loose soil and repair damage (see Rule 13.1c).
(11) Move a natural object to see if it is loose.
But if the object is found to be growing or attached, it must stay attached and be returned as nearly as possible to its original position.
​Rule 7 Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Ball
7.3 Lifting Ball to Identify It
If a ball might be yours but you cannot identify it as it lies, you may lift the ball to identify it. But the spot of the ball must first be marked, and the ball must not be cleaned more than needed to identify it (except on the putting green).
If the lifted ball is your ball or another player’s ball, it must be replaced on its original spot.
If you lift your ball when not reasonably necessary to identify it, fail to mark the spot of the ball before lifting it or clean it when not allowed, you get one penalty stroke.

7.4  Ball Accidentally Moved in Trying to Find or Identify It
There is no penalty if your ball is accidentally moved by you, your opponent or anyone else while trying to find or identify it.
  • If the ball was on, under or against any immovable obstruction, integral object, boundary object or growing or attached natural object, the ball must be replaced on its original spot on, under or against such object.
  • If the ball was covered by sand, the original lie must be re-created and the ball must be replaced in that lie. You may leave a small part of the ball visible if the ball had been covered by sand.
Rule 7 Ball Search: Finding and Identifying Ball
7.1a. You May Take Reasonable Actions to Find and Identify Ball
You may fairly search for the ball by taking reasonable actions to find and identify it, such as:
Moving sand and water, moving or bending grass, bushes, tree branches and other growing or attached natural objects, and also breaking such objects, but only if such breaking is a result of other reasonable actions taken to find or identify the ball.
If taking such reasonable actions as part of a fair search improves the conditions affecting the stroke there is no penalty. But if the improvement results from actions that exceeded what was reasonable for a fair search, you get the general penalty.

7.1b. What to Do If Sand Affecting Lie of Your Ball Is Moved While Trying to Find or Identify It
You must re-create the original lie in the sand, but may leave a small part of the ball visible if the ball had been covered by sand.
If you play the ball without having re-created the original lie, you get the general penalty.

7.2  How to Identify Your Ball
You may identify your ball by seeing it come to rest or seeing your identifying mark on the ball.
​14.3 Dropping Ball in Relief Area
14.3a. Original Ball or Another Ball May Be Used
You may use any ball each time you drop or place a ball under this Rule.
14.3b. Ball Must Be Dropped in Right Way
You must drop a ball in the right way, which means all three of these things:
  • You must drop the ball (neither your caddie nor anyone else may do so).
  • You must let go of your ball from a location at knee height so that the ball falls straight down, does not touch any part of your body or equipment before it hits the ground.
  • Ball must be dropped in the relief area
14.3c. Ball Dropped in Right Way Must Come to Rest in Relief Area
You have only completed taking relief when your ball dropped in the right way comes to rest in the relief area. It does not matter whether your ball, after hitting the ground, touches any person, equipment or other outside influence before coming to rest.

What to Do if Ball Dropped in Right Way Comes to Rest Outside Relief Area. You must drop a ball in the right way a second time, and if that ball also comes to rest outside the relief area, you must then complete taking relief by placing a ball on the spot where the ball dropped the second time first touched the ground.
If the placed ball does not stay at rest on that spot, you must place a ball on that spot a second time. If the ball placed a second time also does not stay on that spot, you must place a ball on the nearest spot where the ball will stay at rest, subject to the limits in Rule 14.2e.
14.2  Replacing Ball on Spot
14.2a. Original Ball Must Be Used
When your ball must be replaced after it was lifted or moved, your original ball must be used.
14.2b. Who Must Replace Ball and How It Must Be Replaced
Your ball must be replaced under the Rules only by you or any other person who lifted your ball or caused it to move. If you play a ball that was replaced in a wrong way or replaced by someone not allowed to do so, you get one penalty stroke.
14.2c. Spot Where Ball Is Replaced
Your ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) except when the Rules require you to replace your ball on a different spot.
14.2d. Where to Replace Ball When Original Lie Altered
  • Ball in Sand - You must re-create the original lie as much as possible. In re-creating the lie, you may leave a small part of the ball visible if the ball had been covered by sand. If you fail to re-create the lie in breach of this Rule, you have played from a wrong place.
  • Ball Anywhere Except in Sand - You must replace the ball by placing it on the nearest spot with a lie most similar to the original lie that is within one club-length from its original spot (which if not known must be estimated), not nearer the hole, and in the same area of the course as that spot.
If you know that the original lie was altered but do not know what the lie was, you must estimate the original lie and replace your ball
14.2e. What to Do If Replaced Ball Does Not Stay on Original Spot
If you try to replace your ball but it does not stay on its original spot, you must try a second time.
If your ball again does not stay on that spot, you must replace the ball by placing it on the nearest spot where it will stay at rest, but with these limits depending on where the original spot is located:
  • The spot must not be nearer the hole.
  • Original spot in general area – the nearest spot must be in the general area.
  • Original spot in bunker or penalty area – the nearest spot must be either in the same bunker or in the same penalty area.
  • Original spot on putting green – the nearest spot must be either on the putting green or in the general area.
14.1  Marking, Lifting and Cleaning Ball
14.1a Spot of Ball to Be Lifted and Replaced Must Be Marked
Before lifting your ball under a Rule requiring it to be replaced on its original spot, you must mark the spot, which means to: Place a ball-marker right behind or right next to your ball, or to hold a club on the ground right behind or right next to your ball.
If you lift your ball without marking its spot, mark its spot in a wrong way or make a stroke with a ball-marker left in place, you get one penalty stroke.
When you lift your ball to take relief under a Rule, you are not required to mark the spot
14.1b Who May Lift Ball
Your ball may be lifted under the Rules only by you or anyone you authorize, but you must give such authorization each time before your ball is lifted rather than giving it generally for the round. Exception - your caddie may lift your ball on the putting green without authorization.
14.1c Cleaning Lifted Ball
When you lift your ball from the putting green it may always be cleaned. When you lift your ball from anywhere else it may always be cleaned except when you lift it:
  • To see if it is cut or cracked – cleaning is not allowed.
  • To identify it – cleaning is allowed only as needed to identify it.
  • Because it interferes with play – cleaning is not allowed.
  • To see if it lies in a condition where relief is allowed – cleaning is not allowed, unless you then take relief under a Rule.
If you clean a lifted ball when not allowed, you get one penalty stroke.
15.3  Ball or Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play
15.3a. Ball on Putting Green Helping Play
If you reasonably believe that a ball on the putting green might help anyone’s play (such as by serving as a possible backstop near the hole), you may mark and lift the ball if it is your own, or if the ball belongs to another player, require the other player to mark and lift the ball.
15.3b. Ball Anywhere on Course Interfering with Play
If another player reasonably believes your ball might interfere with his or her play, the other player may require you to mark the spot and lift your ball, which must not be cleaned (except when you lifted it from the putting green).
If you do not mark the spot before lifting your ball, or you clean the lifted ball when not allowed, you get one penalty stroke. You are not allowed to lift your ball under this Rule based only on your belief that your ball might interfere with another player’s play. If you lift your ball when not required to do so by another player (except when lifting the ball on the putting green), you get one penalty stroke.
15.3c. Ball-Marker Helping or Interfering with Play
If a ball-marker might help or interfere with play, you may move the ball-marker out of the way if it is your own, or
if the ball-marker belongs to another player, require that player to move the ball-marker out of the way, for the same reasons as you may require a ball to be lifted.
Rule 15.2 - Moveable Obstructions
15.2a Relief from Moveable Obstruction (artificial objects)
You may remove a moveable obstruction without penalty anywhere on or off the course, and may do so in any way. But there are two exceptions.
Exception 1 – Tee Markers Must Not be Moved When Ball Will Be Played from Teeing Area (see Rules 6.2b(4) and 8.1a(1)).
Exception 2 – Restrictions on Deliberately Removing Movable Obstruction to Affect a Ball in Motion (see Rule 11.3).
If a player’s ball moves while he or she is removing a movable obstruction:
  • There is no penalty, and
  • The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
Rule 15.1 - Loose Impediments
15.1a. Removal of Loose Impediment
You may remove a loose impediment without penalty anywhere on or off the course, and may do so in any way (such as by using your hand or foot or a club or other equipment). But there are two exceptions.
Exception 1 – Removing Loose Impediment Where Ball Must Be Replaced: Before replacing a ball that was lifted or moved from anywhere except the putting green.
Exception 2 – Restrictions on Deliberately Removing Loose Impediments to Affect Ball in Motion (see Rule 11.3). Full USGA Rules Explanation
15.1b. Ball Moved When Removing Loose Impediment
If a player’s removal of a loose impediment causes his or her ball to move:
  • The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
  • If the moved ball had been at rest anywhere except on the putting green (see Rule 13.1d) or in the teeing area (see Rule 6.2b(6)), the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b, except when Rule 7.4 applies (no penalty for ball moved during search) or when another exception to Rule 9.4b applies.
16.4  Lifting Your Ball to See If It Lies in Condition Where Relief Allowed
If you reasonably believe that your ball lies in a condition where free relief is allowed under the Rules, but you cannot decide that without lifting your ball:
  • The player may lift the ball to see if relief is allowed, but:
  • The spot of the ball must first be marked, and the lifted ball must not be cleaned (except on the putting green)
If the player lifts the ball without having this reasonable belief (except on the putting green), he or she gets one penalty stroke.
If relief is allowed and the player takes relief, there is no penalty even if the player did not mark the spot of the ball before lifting it or cleaned the lifted ball.
If relief is not allowed, or if the player chooses not to take relief that is allowed the player gets one penalty stroke if he or she did not mark the spot of the ball before lifting it or cleaned the lifted ball when not allowed.
Under the United States Golf Association’s Rules of Golf, a person other than the player, known as a “marker,” is typically responsible for keeping a player’s score during a competition. At the end of the day, however, the player is responsible for presenting his score accurately to the tournament committee. Signing an incorrect scorecard carries serious penalties.
Rule 3.3 Stroke Play
3.3b - Scoring in Stroke Play. The player’s score is kept on his or her scorecard by the marker, who is either identified by the Committee or chosen by the player in a way approved by the Committee. The player must use the same marker for the entire round, unless the Committee approves a change either before or after it happens.
3.3b(1) - Marker's Responsibility. After each hole during the round, the marker should confirm with the player the number of strokes on that hole (including strokes made and penalty strokes) and enter that gross score on the scorecard. When the round has ended, the marker must certify the hole scores on the scorecard.
3.3b(2) - Player's Responsibility. During the round, the player should keep track of his or her scores for each hole. When the round has ended, the player should carefully check the scores entered by the marker and make sure the marker certifies the scores. The player must certify the hole scores on the scorecard and promptly return it to the Committee, after which the player must not change the scorecard. If the player breaches any of these, the player is disqualified.
3.3b(3) - Wrong score for a hole. If the player returns a scorecard with a wrong score for any hole:
  • Higher score than actual. The higher score stands
  • Lower score that actual or no score. The player is disqualified.
Rule 16.2 Dangerous Animal Condition
16.2a - A "dangerous animal condition" exists when a dangerous animal (such as poisonous snakes, stinging bees, alligators, fire ants or bears) near a ball could cause serious physical injury to the player if he or she had to play the ball as it lies.
A player may take relief from interference by a dangerous animal condition no matter where his or her ball is on the course, except that relief is not allowed:
  • When playing the ball as it lies is clearly unreasonable because of something other than the dangerous animal condition (for example, when a player is unable to make a stroke because of where the ball lies in a bush), or
  • When interference exists only because the player chooses a club, type of stance or swing or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable under the circumstances.
16.2b - When there is interference by a dangerous animal condition:
  1. When Ball Is Anywhere Except Penalty Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b, c or d, depending on whether the ball is in the general area, in a bunker or on the putting green.
  2. When Ball Is in Penalty Area. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b, except that the nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be in the penalty area.
Rule 16.1d Relief for Ball on the Putting Green
If your ball is on the putting green and there is interference by an abnormal course condition, you may take free relief by placing the original ball or another ball.
The diagram assumes the player is left-handed. When a ball is on the putting green and there is interference by an abnormal course condition (ACC), free relief may be taken by placing a ball on the spot of the nearest point of complete relief. The nearest point of complete relief must be either on the putting green or in the general area. If there is no such nearest point of complete relief, the player may still take this free relief by using the point of maximum available relief as the reference point, which must be either on the putting green or in the general area.
Rule 16.1b Relief for Ball in General Area
Free relief is allowed when the ball is in the general area and there is interference by an abnormal course condition (ACC). The nearest point of complete relief should be indentified and a ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the relief area. The relief area is one club-length from the reference point, is not nearer to the hole than the reference point and must be in the general area. When taking relief, the player must take complete relief from all interference by the ACC.
Rule 16.1c Relief for Ball in Bunker
The diagram to the right assumes a right handed player. When there is interference from an abnormal course condition in a bunker, free relief may be taken in the bunker under Rule 16.1b (above) or relief may be taken outside the bunker for one penalty stroke. Relief outside the bunker is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball in the bunker. The reference point is a point on the course outside the bunker chosen by the player that is on the reference line and is farther from the hole than the original spot (with no limit on how far back on the line). The relief area is one club-length from the reference point, is not nearer to the hole than the reference point, but may be in any area of the course. In choosing this reference point, the player should indicate the point by using an object such as a tee.
Rule 16.1a covers free relief from interference by animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions or temporary water collectively called Abnormal Curse Conditions (ACC). This rule does not give relief from movable obstructions, boundary objects or integral objects.
(1) Interference by an Abnormal Course Condition (ACC) exists when any one of the following is true:
  • Player's ball touches or is in or on an ACC,
  • An ACC physically interferes with the player's area of intended stance or area of intended swing, or
  • Only when the ball is on the putting green, an ACC on or off the putting green intervenes on the line of play.
If the ACC is close enough to distract the player but does not meet any of the above, then there is no relief under this Rule.
This diagram illustrates the free relief options under Rule 16.1 for two different ACC situations, including an immovable obstruction. for a right-handed golfer. In this case the ACC is a cart path. Free relief is allowed when the ball touches or lies in or on the condition (B1), or the condition interferes with the area of intended stance (B2) or swing.
The player must take the nearest point of relief so for B1 is P1. For B2, the nearest point of complete relief is P2, as the stance has to be clear of the ACC.
Note however, that for B2 the nearest point of relief is not the other side of the cart path!
(2) Relief is allowed anywhere on the course except when the ball is in a Penalty Area.
(3) No relief is allowed when:
  •  it is clearly unreasonable to play the ball because of something other than an ACC such as standing temporary water or an immovable obstruction but would be unable to make a stroke because of where the ball lies in a bush, or
  • interference exists only because a player chooses a club, or type of stance or swing or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable under the circumstances.
​Rule 17.1 When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a red penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has three options each for one penalty stroke:
(1)  The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing from a relief area based on where the previous stroke was made. The relief area is one club-length from the reference point and must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must be in the same area of the course as the reference point
(2) The player may take back-on-the-line relief by dropping the ball in a relief area based on a line going straight back from the hole through point X. (Not the line from point X to where the previous shot was played!) The relief area is one club-length from the reference point and must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and may be in any area of the course except the same penalty area.
​​(3) The player may take lateral relief. The reference point for taking lateral relief is point X, which is the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area. The relief area is two club-lengths from the reference point, is not nearer to the hole than the reference point and may be in any area of the course, except the same penalty area.
The reference point should be indicated by using an object (such as a tee).
Rule 17.1: When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a yellow penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has two options, each requiring a one stroke penalty ("X" is the point that the ball entered the penalty area):
(1) The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing from a relief area based on where the previous stroke was made. The relief area is one club-length from the reference point and must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and must be in the same area of the course as the reference point.
(2) The player may take back-on-the-line relief by dropping the ball in a relief area based on a line going straight back from the hole through point X. (Not the line from point X to where the previous shot was played!) The relief area is one club-length from the reference point and must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and may be in any area of the course except the same penalty area.
The reference point should be indicated by using an object (such as a tee).
Rule 16.3 allows relief for a ball embedded anywhere in the “general area,” except when embedded in sand. This even includes the rough unless a local committee rule prevents it. (General area is the new term for the area previously known as “through the green”).
​The reference point for taking relief is the spot right behind where the ball is embedded. The relief area is one club-length from the reference point, is not nearer to the hole than the reference point and must be in the general area. A ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the relief area.
Rule 6.3 Substitution of Another Ball While Playing Hole
When taking relief by dropping or placing, you may use either the original ball or another ball.
When playing again from where a previous stroke was made, you may use either the original ball or another ball.
When replacing a ball on a spot, you are not allowed to substitute a ball and must use the original ball, with certain exceptions contained in Rule 14.2a.
Rule 19.1  You May Decide to Take Unplayable Ball Relief Anywhere Except Penalty Area
You are the only person who may decide to treat your ball as unplayable. Unplayable ball relief is allowed anywhere on the course, except in a penalty area.
Rule 19.2 Relief Options for Unplayable Ball in General Area or on Putting Green.
You may take unplayable ball relief using one of the three options shown, in each case adding one penalty stroke.
(1) The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing from where the previous stroke was made.
(2) The player may take back-on-the-line relief by dropping on a line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball, no closer to the hole than the spot of the original ball. Relief is one club-length on either side of that line, with no limit how far back.
(3) The player may take lateral relief, dropping two club lengths from the spot of the original ball .not nearer the hole.
The above Rules have been taken from the 2019 Player's Book Rules of Golf.
The Full Edition of Complete Rules of Golf can be found here: www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-2019/rules-of-golf/rules-and-interpretations.html