Rules of Golf: How To PLAY GOLF Explained
Golf rules explained with real examples—learn penalties, water hazards, and more without the confusion.
Why Watch This?
This video breaks down the rules with real-life examples, so youʼre not left guessing. If you ever wondered what to do if your ball lands in a pond or what a stroke penalty really means, this video makes it clear.
Rules of Golf: How To PLAY GOLF Explained
13 Rules Beginner Golfers NEED To Know
18 Simple Etiquette Tips for When Youʼre on the Golf Course
7 Etiquette Mistakes New Golfers Should Try to Avoid
Golf Rules for Beginners: An Easy Guide to Follow
Important Golf Terms Explained
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A Beginnerʼs Guide to Golf Rules & Etiquette
So youʼve decided to take up golf? Great choice! But let's be real—golf has a lot of rules. Some of them make perfect sense, while others feel like they were written by a lawyer who never swung a club. If you're a beginner, donʼt worry—Iʼve got your back.
Golf should be fun, not a rulebook nightmare. So hereʼs the deal: weʼll go over the official rules you should follow, but Iʼll also let you in on some “beginner- friendlyˮ adjustments that wonʼt get you kicked off the course.
Golf Rules for Beginners (And the Stress-Free Version)
(Because Letʼs Be Honest, You Just Want to Hit the Ball and Have a Good Time.)
The Objective
The goal is to get your ball from the tee into the hole in as few strokes as possible. But as a new golfer, your goal is to actually make contact with the ball and have it land somewhere in the general direction of the hole.
Golf is an awesome game. But it comes with a boatload of rules and unwritten etiquette that can make beginners feel like theyʼve stepped into a secret society. Weʼll go through some of the key rules with the official version and our beginner-friendly version to keep things fun for everyone.
Rule Category | Official Rule | Beginnerʼs Stress-Free Version |
Starting a Hole | Tee up between the tee markers, but never in front. Hitting outside the area can result in a penalty. | Just put the ball anywhere between the markers and swing away. No one's watching that closely. |
Lost Ball | You have 3 minutes to find your ball. If you donʼt, you must return to where you hit from and take a penalty stroke. | If your ball disappears into the void, just drop a new ball near where you lost it and keep going. No one wants to watch you search forever. |
Playing the Ball as It Lies | You must play your ball from wherever it lands—no moving it, fluffing it, or teeing it up again. | If itʼs in mud, a divot, or a terrible spot, go ahead and move it to a better lie. Golf is hard enough. |
Order of Play | The player farthest from the hole hits first. On the tee, whoever had the best score on the last hole goes first. | Just play “ready golfˮ—if youʼre ready and itʼs safe, hit your shot! Keeps things moving. |
Fixing Damage to the Course | Fix ball marks on the green, replace divots, and rake bunkers before leaving. | If you dig a hole in the green, fix it with a tee. If you make a mess in a bunker, rake it just enough so itʼs not a disaster for the next person. |
Bunkers (Sand Traps) | You canʼt ground your club (touch the sand) before your shot. Play it as it lies. | Sand is tricky—if you need to, move it slightly for a better shot. Just try to smooth out the sand after. If you get stuck after a few shot, just pick it up and move on. |
Putting Etiquette | Never walk in someoneʼs putting line. Always mark your ball if itʼs in someoneʼs way. | Just be aware of where others are aiming and donʼt step in their path. |
Keeping Up the Pace | Be ready to hit when itʼs your turn. If youʼre slow and a group is waiting, let them play through. | Hit your shot and keep moving. If youʼre really holding up a group, just wave them through. |
Maximum Number of Clubs | Youʼre allowed a maximum of 14 clubs in your bag. Having more means penalty strokes in official play. | You probably donʼt have 14 clubs yet. No oneʼs counting. Just bring what youʼve got. |
Scoring & Penalties | Count every stroke. If you take an unplayable drop, add one penalty stroke. | Keep a loose count of your shots. If you lose track, just estimate and move on. |
Golf Etiquette: AKA How Not to Be That Guy
Golf has a lot of unwritten rules, but here are the main ones that will keep you from being a social pariah on the course.
1. Keep Up the Pace
Slow play is the number one cause of golf rage.
Be ready to hit when itʼs your turn. Take practice swings before, not when it's finally time to go
If youʼre holding up a faster group, let them play through. Itʼs not a big deal, and theyʼll appreciate it
2. Respect the Green
DO NOT walk in someoneʼs putting line. This is golfʼs version of stepping on someone's shoe on prom night.
If the flag is in the hole and someone is putting, stand still and be quiet. Sudden movements are more distracting than a phone ringing in a movie theater.
3. Know Where to Stand
Never stand directly behind someone swinging. Itʼs creepy and dangerous.
On the putting green, avoid casting a shadow over someoneʼs ball. Itʼs a real thing, trust me
4. Manage Your Bag Like a Pro
Leave your bag in a logical place—ideally near the exit of the green so you can quickly move to the next hole.
Avoid wandering back and forth across the green because you left your putter 30 yards away.
5. Silence is Golden
Golfers get weirdly sensitive about noise.
No talking during swings, no jingling your clubs, and absolutely no opening a bag of chips mid-backswing.
Common Golf Terms You Should Know
Term | Meaning |
Par | Expected number of strokes for a hole. |
Birdie | One stroke under par. |
Bogey | One stroke over par. |
Mulligan | A do-over (not allowed in official play, but common among friends). |
Fairway | The short grass leading to the green. |
Rough | The longer grass around the fairway. |
Bunker | A sand trap hazard. |
Green | The smooth grass area where the hole is located. |
Final Thoughts
Golf might seem like it has a million rules, but once you get the basics down, itʼs really just about being considerate and keeping the game moving.
Now go forth, young golfer, and play with confidence! GG and Have Fun!
(And donʼt forget to yell “FOREˮ if you hit a wild shot. Seriously. Itʼs not just for show.)