Rules Crew

Every week our experts address frequently encountered rules questions. Check your understanding of the game by watching the latest video segment, and catch up on past videos.


Beverage Cart		Party in a Bunker
What happens if your ball lands in a moving beverage cart?		A player or his caddie may now rake a bunker prior to taking a shot.


Nearest Point of Relief	Etiquitte	Wrong and Right Reference Rules
The nearest point of relief is not always the most convenient.	The SCGA Rules Crew shows how not to act on the golf course	What you can and cannot do on the golf course.


Rule 14-2b	Overhanging Putt	Rule 12-1
Indicating a line of putt	What is and isn't allowed when your ball comes to rest overhanging the lip of the hole?	What do you do if you can't find your ball in a bunker?


Rule 4-4	Decision 20-4/1	Caddy Tips 2.0
How many clubs can you have in your bag, and what happens if you have too many?	You mark your ball on the green, set the ball back down, and suddenly a gust of wind blows it. Your marker is where you left it ... can you bring your ball back to where it originally was?	There are a lot of responsibilities involved when you are a caddy. Watch as the Rules Crew explains some of the actions a caddy is not permitted to do on the course.

Rule 25-3b Landing on an Adjacent Green

Rule 2-4/6

Caddy Tips

What do you do if your ball lands on the wrong putting green? Do you play it as it lies or take relief?

When playing in a four-ball or best-ball match, are you allowed to putt out after your stroke has been conceded?

Having a caddy assist you on the course can save you time and help make your round more enjoyable. Watch as the Rules Crew explains what a caddy is permitted to do on the course.

Distance Matters

Rule 26-1 (Bunker Surrounding a Lateral Water Hazard)

15-3. Wrong Ball

In Match Play, who goes first? Is distance from the hole the only factor? Does it matter if you are on the green?

If your ball went into a lateral water hazard that is surrounded by a bunker, do you have to drop your ball in the bunker?

If player makes a stroke at a wrong ball, what is the penalty? Do you correct your mistake or continue playing with that wrong ball?

Dress Code

Rule 26-1

Rule 13-3

Can I play in a golf tournament barefooted?

Your golf ball rolls into a lateral water hazard. What are your options for relief? Can you try to hit your shot from there?

What is the difference between fairly taking a stance and building a stance?


Rule 20-2/a	Perfect Ground Conditions	Rule 11-3
When can I take a re-drop?	Should I expect perfect ground conditions when I play?	What happens if I accidentally knock my ball off the tee while addressing it? Does that count as a stroke or can I re-tee it?


Decision 33-8/34	Rule 20-3b	Rule 24-1
Divot Disaster! Do you get relief?	What happens if your ball is golf roadkill?	You find your ball resting against a rake in a bunker. What can you do?


Rule 15-3	Rule 27-1c	Rule 19-2
Don't let your golf ball be naked!	I can't find my ball!	Bang! Was that my cart?


Decision 8-1/2	Rules 16-1b and 20-1	Rules 13-2
Can I exchange distance advice?	Ever question if you, or your partner, are properly marking the ball on the putting green?	Willing to do anything to improve your lie?


Rule 5-3	Rule 18-2/a	Decision 17-1/6
When is my ball unfit for play?	Oops! I accidently moved my golf ball!	My playing partner moved a removed flagstick while another ball was in motion - does anyone get penliazed?


Rule 25-2	Rule 8-2/a	Rule 17-3
How do I play an embedded ball?	Can I use my golf club to assist with my alignment?	What happens if I strike the flagstick?

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SCGA Rules Crew

Wrong and Right Reference Rules

Rule 12-1

Decision 20-4/1

Caddy Tips 2.0

Rule 25-3b Landing on an Adjacent Green

Rule 2-4/6

Caddy Tips

Distance Matters

Rule 26-1 (Bunker Surrounding a Lateral Water Hazard)

15-3. Wrong Ball

Dress Code

Rule 26-1

Rule 13-3

Rule 20-2/a

Perfect Ground Conditions

Rule 11-3

Decision 33-8/34

Rule 20-3b

Rule 24-1

Rule 15-3

Rule 27-1c

Rule 19-2

Decision 8-1/2

Rules 16-1b and 20-1

Rules 13-2

Rule 5-3

Rule 18-2/a

Decision 17-1/6

Rule 25-2

Rule 8-2/a

Rule 17-3

Related Information