KimAllen

August2014

Simplicityistheultimatesophistication.
LeonardodaVince

TheRulesareeasytounderstandandapplyinallsituations.Theywillenhancetheenjoymentofthegamefor
alltherecreationalgolfers.

Contents
Preface...........................................................................................................................................................................i
RulesofRecreationalGolf............................................................................................................................................1
Objectives.................................................................................................................................................................1
GuidingPrinciples....................................................................................................................................................1
TheRules..................................................................................................................................................................1
1. TheGame.....................................................................................................................................................1
2. PlayingYourBall...........................................................................................................................................1
3. LooseImpedimentsandMovableObstructions..........................................................................................1
4. IdentifyingYourBall.....................................................................................................................................1
5. FreeDropofYourBallorReplayofYourShot.............................................................................................1
6. LostBall........................................................................................................................................................2
7. PlacementofYourBallwithPenalty(BallisUnplayable,InaHazard,orOutofBounds)..........................2
8. OnthePuttingGreen...................................................................................................................................2
9. TheFlagstick.................................................................................................................................................2
10. BallDeflected,StoppedorMoved...............................................................................................................3
11. BallInterferingwithorAssistingPlay..........................................................................................................3
12. ClubsandtheBall.........................................................................................................................................3
13. PracticeandAdvice......................................................................................................................................3
14. UseofDistanceMeasuringDevices.............................................................................................................3
15. TeeitForward..............................................................................................................................................II
16. PlayReadyGolf.............................................................................................................................................I
17. DoubtastotheRuleorProcedure..............................................................................................................II
EtiquetteandBehaviourontheCourse....................................................................................................................I
1. TheSpiritoftheGame..................................................................................................................................I
2. Safety............................................................................................................................................................I
3. ConsiderationforOtherPlayers...................................................................................................................I
4. CareoftheCourse........................................................................................................................................I
5. Behaviour......................................................................................................................................................I
18. PlayersResponsibilities...............................................................................................................................3
APPENDIXA...................................................................................................................................................................I
1. FormsofPlay...............................................................................................................................................III
2. BreakingTies...............................................................................................................................................III
3. ScoringforHandicapPurposes...................................................................................................................III
4. SlopeRating................................................................................................................................................IV
5. CallawayHandicapScoring.........................................................................................................................IV
6. HandicappingScrambleTournaments........................................................................................................IV

TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
Preface

Whilst it is considered important that the Rules be

faithful to their historical principles, they must be clear,
comprehensive and understandable, and the penalties
mustbeappropriateisstatedintheForwardoftheRules
ofGolf.Yetafter250yearsofhardworkanddedication
bytheR&A1,manygolfersareconcernedaboutslowplay
and that the Rules of Golf are complicated and
unnecessarily penal to recreational golfers. The set of
rulesisrecreationalgolfisonlythreepageslong.

Theimpactonthepaceofplayandthescoreofpenalties
andhazardsismuchmoreseverefortherecreationgolfer
thanapro.Prosrarelyincurastokeanddistancepenalty
foralostball(lotsofpeoplearearoundtohelpthemfind
theirball);proscanhitashotoverawaterhazard,soitis
not a problem for them to drop behind the hazard; pros
cangetoutofbunkersonthefirstshot;andtheproscan
often chip out of lies in the woods that recreational
golferswoulddeemedtobeunplayable.Manyhavetried
to address these issues in their own way. Many
recreationalgolfersplaylostballsandoutofboundsareas
as a lateral hazard as they do not want to waste time
lookingforballsandgoingbacktowheretheballwashit
afterfailingtofindtheirball.Hittingprovisionalballsdoes
not speed up the process much because some players
nowhavetosearchfortwoballs!Formanyrecreational
playerslosingtheballispenaltyenough!

Manycourses,bylocalrules,haveestablisheddropareas
onthegreensideofawaterhazardforaplayerthatfails
tonegotiatethewaterhazard.Thisapproachpermitsthe
recreational golfer to test his/her skill once to get across
thehazardandthengetonwiththegame.Coursesthat
are not as manicured as those that the pros play may
adoptwinterrulestopermitplayerstoplayfromgood
sectionsofthefairways.

Coursesalsopromotepeopleplaying:
ReadyGolfwhereyouplaywheneverit'ssafetoplay
regardlessofhonours.

FastTrack2program,whichpromotesroundsinunder
four hours, includes ready golf, a maximum of 7
stokes,amaximumof3putts,abandonlostballsafter

1 minute and on the third time the group falls 5

minutesbehind,theyareaskedtoleavethecourse.

Tee it Forward3, places golfers at the set of tees that

matchestheirdrivingdistancetomakegolfmorefun
for golfers of all skill levels by providing a challenge
that better aligns with their abilities. It will produce
more enjoyment and elevate their desire to come
backandplayevenmoregolfandimprovesthepace
ofplay.

Recreationgolferslovetomakethat1in20shot,getting
onthegreenintwoonaparfiveoverwater.TheRulesof
Golfencourageconservativeplayandthusgolferslayup.
TheRulesofRecreationalgolfrestoretheexcitement...
thefunofpullingoffashotthattheprosmake.

Asacompendiumofgoodpracticesforrecreationalplay,
the Rules of Recreational Golf provides a simple set of
rules that can be easily applied by all players. These
rules provide fair penalties, and keep the game moving.
For example, the rules: provide a maximum score and
numberofputts;providerelieffromdivotsandsandfilled
divots;eliminatesthestrokeanddistancepenalty;places
the ball on the fairway after a penalty; incorporates the
dropareaapproachinall situations;therulesforbunker
and waste areas are the same; loose impediments and
moveable obstructions are treated the same and
eliminates disqualification for penalty assessed after
round.Theyarebuiltonthelongstandingtraditionthat
golfisplayedbyhonestmenandwomenwhowillensure
fairness through the fair application of the Rules of
RecreationalGolf.

TheRulesofRecreationalGolfisanalternativesetofrules
that may adopt by: your foursome, Golf Courses as local
rules,orrecreationaltournamentofficials.Itspurposeto
enhance the enjoyment of the game for the recreational
players,maintainthepaceofplay,respectsthecourseso
itcanbeenjoyedbyotherplayers,fairtoallplayinginthe
group and are easy to understand and apply in all
situations.

Enjoy!

Kim Allen

Golfsrulesanddevelopmentbody
3
CrystalSpringsResort
USGApilotprogramJuly2011
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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
Rules of Recreational Golf
Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Enjoymentofyourgame.
Rulesareeasytounderstandandapply.
Fastpaceofplay.
Respectthecourseandfellowgolfers.
Embracethespiritofthegame.

Guiding Principles
1. Youmayadoptthe Rules ofRecreationalGolffor
your group. The Golf Course or tournament
organizersmayadoptthemforallplayers.
2. Therulesapplytoallplayers.
3. You get a free drop if your ball comes to rest
on/in/nearsomethingthatisnotdesignfeatureof
the course (i.e. manmade object, ditch, divot,
hole,etc.).
4. You may take one penalty stroke and place your
ball on the fairway anytime your ball is lost or
unplayable.
5. There is no additional penalty for this honest
mistake.
6. If something is not covered by these rules, do
whatyouthinkisfair.
7. Playwithoutdelay.

The Rules
1. The Game
1. Togetyourballfromtheteeboxgroundintothe
designatedholeinasfewstrokesaspossible.
2. Youmuststriketheballfairlywiththeheadofthe
club.Youmaynot:
a. push,scrapeorraketheball,
b. accept any assistance oruse any artificial
aidinmakingyourstroke,
c. hityourballwhileitismoving.
3. Countastrokewhenyouintendedtohityourball
andmakecontact.
4. You may place your ball on the fairway after
takingapenaltystroke.
5. Themaximumscoreonanyholeis8.Whenyou
reach8,pickupyourballandrecordascoreof8.
2. Playing Your Ball
1. Playyourballasitlies,subjecttotherules.
2. Your club may be grounded lightly behind your
ball. You must not improve your lie by pressing

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down behind your ball. If your ball moves just

replaceit.Thereisnopenalty.
3. You may not improve the area of your stance,
intendedswingpathorlineofplaybybendingor
breakinganythinggrowing,suchastreebranches
orlonggrassorbuildingastance.Thereisaone
strokepenalty.Placeyourballonthefairway.
4. When you are in bunker, a waste area or in a
water hazard, you may not touch the sand,
ground or water, with your club or your hand
before or during your back swing. There is a one
strokepenalty.Placeyourballonthefairway.
5. You may not position a marker to indicate your
lineofplay.
3. Loose Impediments and Movable Obstructions
Youmayremovealooseimpediments(i.e.naturalobjects
thatarenotgrowingorfixedsuchaslooseleaves,twigs,
fallenbranches,woodchips,mulch,stones,insects,snow,
ice, etc.) or movable obstruction (i.e. artificial or man
made objects including bottles, cans, paper, rakes, etc.)
anywhere on the course. Sand and loose soil are loose
impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere. If
your ball moves when you remove the obstruction,
replaceyourball.Thereisnopenalty.
4. Identifying Your Ball
1. Identify your own ball before play it. You may
remove loose impediments and movable
obstructionsorliftit.
Note:Puttingauniquemarkonyourballishelpful,in
casesomeoneelseisusingthesamebrandofball.
2. Ifyouplayaballthatisnotyours,thereisaone
strokepenalty.
3. Free Drop of Your Ball or Replay of Your Shot
1. Youmayreplayashotwithoutpenaltyifyourball:
a. strikes a permanent elevated power line
orcable,
b. strikesamanmadeobjectonthefairway
(i.e.yardagemarker,sign,post,etc.);or
c. was not correctly teed between the tee
markers and up to two club lengths
behindthemarkers.
2. You may replace your ball without penalty if: it
falls off the tee, you accidentally move it, it is
movedbyanyoutsideagent,oritisdamaged.
3. You may drop your ball at the closest point of
relief,withoutpenalty,ifyourballcomestorest:
a. inoronatemporaryfairwaydefect(i.e.in
a divot, sandfilled divot, seams of cut

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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf

4.

5.

6.

7.

turf,footprintortiretrack,anydamaged
area,oronabarepatch,flatrock,etc.);
b. onthewrongputtinggreenorteebox;or
c. embeddedinitsownpitchmark.
You may drop your ball at the closest point of
relief, without penalty, if your ball comes to rest
where something interferes with the your stance
oryourintendedswing,suchas:
a. nearstakedtreeortreewell;
b. nearthescreenprotectingplayersontee
boxorgreenoratemporarystructure(i.e.
seating,signsortowers)
c. in casual water, visible by pressing down
withyourshoes;
d. ongroundunderrepair,
e. near an immovable obstruction (i.e.
sprinkler heads, shelters, buildings, cart
paths, bridges, retaining walls, flower
beds, yardage, hazard or boundary
markers,fencing,retainingwall,etc.);
f. in a manmade ditch or a burrowing
animalhole;
g. inwashedoutanddamageareas,or
h. inanenvironmentallysensitivearea.
You may move you ball to the nearest point of
reliefwithinabunkerorwasteareaifitcomesto
restinafootprint.Thereisnopenalty.
If your ball comes to rest, where you may be
injuredbythereboundingballofyournextstroke,
you may drop your ball at the closest point of
relief.Thereisnopenalty.
Ifyourballcomestorestonthefairwayandyour
intended swing may damage any tree or sapling,
(staked or unstaked), you may drop your ball at
theclosestpointofrelief.Thereisnopenalty.

4. Lost Ball
1. A ball is deemed lost if you do not find and
identifyitwithinoneminuteafteryouhavebegun
tosearchforit.Ifyoudonotbelieveitwasout
ofbounds or in a hazard, you may drop a
substitutedballwhereyoubelieveitcametorest,
nopenalty.
2. If it is known or virtually certain that your ball,
whichhasnotbeenfound,hasbeenmovedbyan
outside agency, is in an obstruction, is in an
abnormalgroundconditionitmaybedropatthe
closetpointofrelief,nopenalty.

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3. Under all other circumstances when your ball is

lost,youdroptheballonthefairwaynocloserto
thehole,onestrokepenalty.
5. Placement of Your Ball with Penalty (Ball is
Lost, Unplayable, In a Hazard, or Out of Bounds)
1. If your ball is: unplayable, outofbounds (white
stakes),inalateralwaterhazard(redstakes),ina
waste area, you may take a penalty stroke and
place your ball on the fairway not closer to the
hole.
2. Ifyourballcametorestinawaterhazard(yellow
stakes)orinabunker,anddonotwishtoplayit,
youmaytakeapenaltystrokeandplaceyourball
onthefairwayontheholesideofthehazard.
3. If you ball comes to rest before the start of the
fairway,youmaytakeapenaltystrokeandplace
yourballonthestartofthefairway.
4. Aprovisionalballshallnotbeplayed.
6. On the Putting Green
1. Ifanypartofyourballistouchingthegreen,itis
onthegreen.
2. Youmayrepairballmarks,marksmadebyspikes
orshoesbeforeplaying.
3. You may brush away loose impediments, but
otherwiseyoumaynottouchyourlineofputt.
4. You may not test the surface of the green by
rollingaballorscrapingthesurface.
5. Threeisthemaximumnumberofputts.Youmay
trytwoputtsandifyouhaventholedit,count3.
6. If your ball comes to rest within 18 (length of a
standardputtergrip)oftheedgeofthehole,you
maypickupyourball.Countoneadditionalstoke.
7. If your ball overhangs the edge of the hole, you
maywaittensecondstoseeifitdropsin.Ifitfalls
inafter10seconds,addastroketoyourscore.
8. When you pick up your ball up to clean it or get
out of another player's way, mark your ball by
puttingasmallcoinorothermarkerbehindit.
9. Whenatemporarygreenisinplay,youhaveputt
maximum of 2. Try for a one putt, and if you
haventholeditcount2putts.
7. The Flagstick
1. If your ball is played from off the green and it
strikestheflagstick.Thereisnopenalty.
2. Taketheflagstickoutwhenallplayersareonthe
green. If your ball is played from on the green
anditstrikestheflagstickaddonepenaltystroke.

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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
3. Replacetheflagstickbeforetheplayersleavethe
puttinggreen.
8. Ball Deflected, Stopped or Moved
1. Ifyourballhitsanotherball.Thereis nopenalty.
Youplayyourballasitlies.Theowner:
a. must replace his/her ball if your ball was
playedfromonthegreen;or
b. mayreplacehis/herballorplayitasitlies
ifyourballwasplayedfromoffthegreen.
2. If your ball hits your opponent, caddie, or
equipment; you may play your ball as it lies or
replaytheshot.Thereisnopenalty.
3. Ifyourballhitsanyobjectnotcoveredabove,play
itasitlies.Thereisnopenalty.
4. Ifsomeoneorsomething,includingwindorwater,
movesyourball,replaceit.Thereisnopenalty.
5. If your ball hits you, your equipment, partner or
caddie. Play your ball as it lies. There is a one
strokepenalty.
9. Ball Interfering with or Assisting Play
1. If a ball interferes with your swing or is on your
lineofplay,asktheownertomarkit.
2. If your club, divot or debris from the shot moves
another players ball, the owner must replace it
nearitsoriginallocation.
3. If your ball is near the hole and might assist
anotherplayer,youmayliftyourball.
10. Clubs and the Ball
1. You may use no more than fourteen different
clubsinaround.Addonepenaltystokeforeach
additionalclubused.
2. Youmayreplaceaclubdamagedduringplay.
3. Youmaycleanyourclubsatanytime.
4. Onthegreenonlyaputtermaybeused.
5. Youmayonlychangeyourballduringtheplaying
ofahole,ifyouloseitorifitisdamaged.
6. Youmaymark,liftandcleanwhenyourballis:on
the green, in a location that interferes with
another players play, or has mud or animal
droppingsonit.

12. Use of DistanceMeasuring Devices

GPS systems and laser range finders operating in the
mode to measure distance only are permitted for use.
Any devices/mode which measures gradient, wind, etc.
maynotbeused.
13. Doubt as to the Rule or Procedure
1. Ifhaveasituationwhereyouareunclearofarule,
just play your ball according to the ruling that
yourgroupcollectivelythinksiscorrect.
2. If you are in a tournament and have a situation
where you and your group are unclear of a rule,
playtheoriginalballasitliesandplayanotherball
accordingtotherulingthatyourgroupcollectively
thinks is correct. Both balls are played into the
holeandbothscoresrecorded.AsktheConvenor
afterfinishingplayforthecorrectrulingandcount
thatscoreforthehole.
14. Players Responsibilities
1. Knowtherulesandetiquetteofgolf.
2. Ensure your score for each hole is correct before
submittingyourscorecard.
a. If the score is added up incorrectly, the
officialwillcorrectit.Thereisnopenalty.
b. If a penalty becomes apparent after you
submitted your scorecard, the penalty is
justadded.Thereisnoadditionalpenalty
forthishonestmistake.
3. Useyourcorrecthandicap.
4. Bereadytoplayyourteetime.
5. Read the notices given to you at the course.

11. Practice and Advice

1. You may not hit a practice shot while playing a
hole.
2. You may ask players in your group for advice on
how to play, about the rules, or the position of
hazards,ortheflagstick,oryardage.
3. You may give advice to your opponent or fellow
competitorwhenasked.
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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
Etiquette and Behaviour on the Course4
1. The Spirit of the Game
Golf relies on your integrity to show consideration for
otherplayersandtoabidebytherules.Conductyourself
in a disciplined manner, demonstrating courtesy and
sportsmanshipatalltimes.

2. Safety

4.
5.
6.

theheadofaclubintotheground,whetherin
angerorforanyotherreason.
Ensurethatnodamageisdonetotheputting
greenwhenputtingdownbagsortheflagstick.
Donotstandtooclosetothehole.
Takecareduringthehandlingoftheflagstickand
theremovalofaballfromthehole.Theheadofa
clubshouldnotbeusedtoremoveaballfromthe
hole.
Donotleanonyourclubwhenontheputting
green,particularlywhenremovingtheballfrom
thehole.
Replacetheflagstickintheholebeforetheplayers
leavetheputtinggreen.
Strictlyobservealllocalnoticesregulatingthe
movementofgolfcarts.

1. Ensurethatnooneisstandingclosebyorina
7.
positiontobehitbytheclub,theballorany
stones,pebbles,twigsorthelikewhenyoumakea
strokeorpracticeswing.
8.
2. Playwhentheplayersinfrontareoutofrange.
3. Alwaysalertgreenstaffnearbyoraheadwhenyou
9.
areabouttomakeastrokethatmightendanger
them.
4. Ifyouplayaballinadirectionwherethereisa
5. Behaviour
dangerofhittingsomeone,immediatelyshout
1. Youshould:
fore,thetraditionalwordofwarning.
a. followtheClubsdresscode;
b. invitefastergroupstoplaythrough;and
3. Consideration for Other Players
c. demonstrate respect for the course staff,
1. Donotdisturbotherplayersbymoving,talkingor
other golfers, volunteers, spectators, and
makingunnecessarynoisewhentheyareaboutto
tournamentofficials.
play.
2.
Youshouldnot:
2. Ensurethatanyelectronicdevicetakenontothe
a. throwclubs;or
coursedoesnotdistractotherplayers.
b. useabusivelanguage.
3. Ontheteeinggroundteeyourballonlywhenitis
yourturntoplay.
6. Play Ready Golf
4. Donotstandclosetoordirectlybehindtheball,or
1. Your preshot routine should be adequate to
directlybehindthehole,whenaplayerisaboutto
prepareyoufortheshot,however,itshouldfairly
play.
short, keep it to a couple of waggles and avoid
5. Ontheputtinggreen,whenanotherplayers
beingmotionlessformorethan10seconds.
makingastroke,youshouldnotstandonlineof
2. ReadyDriving
puttorcastashadowovertheirlineofputt.
a. Theplayerwhohasthelowestscoreona
6. Youshouldremainonorclosetothegreenuntilall
hole has the honours, and should be
otherplayersinthegrouphaveholedout.
readytohitfirst.Ifthatplayerisn'tready,
thenanyonewhoisreadytogomayhit.
4. Care of the Course
b. Onateebox,ifyourgrouphastowaitfor
1. Beforeleavingabunker,carefullyfillupand
the group in front of you, the shortest
smoothoverallholesandfootprintsmadeby
hitter should hit as soonas those in front
themandanynearbymadebyothers.
areoutofrange,includingpar3s.
2. Carefullyrepairanydivotholesyoumakeandany
3. ReadyFairway
damagetotheputtinggreenmadebytheimpact
a. Walktoyourballassoonaspossible.
ofaball(whetherornotyoumadeit),damageto
b. Walk down the side of the fairway to
theputtinggreencausedbygolfshoesshouldbe
reach your ball and then approach the
repaired.
center.
3. Avoidcausingdamagetothecoursebyremoving
4. ReadyStanding
divotswhentakingpracticeswingsorbyhitting

AdoptedfromtheRulesofGolf31stEdition
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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
a. Pay attention to those behind you and
protect yourself (hide behind a tree, cart,
oryourbag)whileyouwait.
b. Make sure you are not distracting your
fellow competitors by talking, moving, or
obstructingtheirview.
c. Whilewaitingtohit,usethetimetogauge
thewind,selectaclub,makeanypractice
swings,andifpermittedimproveyourlie.
d. Ifsomeoneisdistractingyouorstandingin
yourwayletthemknowimmediately.
e. Play your ball if wont distract another
playeranditissafetodoso.
5. ReadyPutting
a. The player closest to hole is responsible
fortendingorremovingflagstick.
b. If you're on the green before others in
yourgroup,youmayputtwhileothersare
rakingsandtraps,lininguplongerputts,or
justwalkingtothegreen.
c. Be ready to putt as soon as others mark
their ball or retrieve their ball from the
cup. While others are putting, read your
puttandridyourlineofloseimpediments,
ballmarksandspikemarks.
d. Ifyoudon'tneedtoreadyoursecondputt
(or can read it with a quick glance) keep
puttinguntilyouholeout,ifyouwontbe
standing on someone else's line,
otherwise,markyourball.
e. The second to last player to hole out is
responsible for replacing the flagstick. As
soon as this player holes out he/she
shouldgopickuptheflagandbereadyto
returnitassoonasthelastplayerfinishes.
f. Set your clubs/bag down between the
green and the next tee box so that after
youfinishputtingyouminimizethetimeit
takes to retrieve your bag and get to the
nexttee(youllalsolosefewerclubs!).
g. Don't stand around after you've finished
thehole.Writedownthescoresorgeta
newballatthenexttee.
6. ReadyGolfCarts
a. Whendrivingacart,dropoffyourpartner
first, let him/her pick a club(s) and then
drivetoyourballtogetreadytoplay.
b. When you leave the cart be prepared for
yournextshot(s)bytakingeverythingyou
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7.

8.

9.

10.

need(i.e.nearthegreentakeaputterand
a wedge, on the fairway take 3 clubs, the
clubyouthinkneed,thenextshortest,and
nextlongestclubandanextraball.)
c. Minimize the number of transactions you
make with your golf bag by getting into
thecartwithoutputtingyourclub(s)away
from the previous shot, as you put your
clubs away at the same time when your
getyournextclubout.
ReadyLostBalls
a. Youareonlyallowedoneminutetosearch
foralostball.
b. Whenyousearchforthelostball,carryan
extraballinyourpocket,theclubyouwill
useifyoufindyourball,andtheclubyou
willuseifyoucan'tfindit.
c. Setyourbagdownnearwhereyouwould
playintheeventyoucan'tfindyourball.
d. Playersshouldhittheirshotsbeforetrying
tohelpfindalostball.
e. Ifmorethanoneplayerlosesaball,search
simultaneously. Your group has 3 minute
search limit per hole regardless of the
numberoflostballsonthehole.
Yourgrouptomustplayholesinanaverageof13
minutes,play:
Par5sin15minutes,
Par4sin12.5minutes,and
Par3sin10minutes.
Whenyourgroupismorethan10minutesbehind
the courses pace of play and the group behind
you has been waiting, pick up your balls and
proceed to the next hole. Players count the
strokes taken and add the number they would
reasonablefinishtheholein.
If your group loses a clear hole on the players in
front,invitethegroupfollowingtopass.

7. Tee it Forward
Playthesetofteesthatbestmatchyourdrivingdistance.
Take your Driver Distance times 1.5 times the number of
holes(i.e.225yardsX18X1.5=6,025yards,youdusethe
set of tees closest to 6,025 yards). Each member of the
foursome may the tees that are most suitable for them
individuallyorthemarkersthatbestthemostmembersof
thefoursome.

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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
Other Information

players or the best ball of three other

players.
f. FourBall: A match in which two players
play their better ball against the better
balloftwootherplayers.
5. Stableford: A stroke play event using a points
scoring system rather than total strokes. It is not
necessarytoholeoutoneveryhole.
Bogey1point
Par2points
Birdie3points
Eagle5points
Doubleeagle8points
Stablefordmaybeplaywithfullhandicapapplied.
6. Dog Fight: A variation of a scramble, all players
tee off and one player must independently play
his/herballonthehole,theotherplayerschoose
another ball and play a three person scramble.
Theteamscoreisthesumofbothballsholedout.
Over18holesallplayersmustplaytheirownball
for4holes.
7. MoveUp MoveBack: All players start at the
middle set of tees, if you score par or better you
movebackonesetofteesforthenexthole;ifyou
scorebogeyorworseyoumoveuponesetoftees
for the next hole. Players record their individual
score.

1. Forms of Play
1. Stroke Play: In stroke play, the competitor with
thelowesttotalscorefortheround(orrounds)is
thewinner.Youmustplayyourballintothehole
before starting the next hole. Anyone you are
playingwithisafellowcompetitor.
a. Individual: A competition in which each
competitorplaysasanindividual.
b. Foursome: A competition in which two
competitorsplayaspartnersandplayone
ball.
c. FourBall: A competition in which two
competitorsplayaspartners,eachplaying
his/her own ball. The lower score of the
partners is the score for the hole. If one
partner fails to complete the play of a
hole.Thereisnopenalty.
2. Scramble: In scramble play, the team (2, 3 or 4
persons)withthelowesttotalscorefortheround
(or rounds) is the winner. All players play a ball
from the tee, selected the best shot and all team
members play from that location and continue to
play in that manner until the ball into the hole.
Doublebogeyisthemaximumteamscoreonany
hole.Teamsthatreachascoreofdoublebogeyon
aholearetopickupandmoveontothenexttee.
3. Texas Scramble: All players tee off and the team 2. Breaking Ties
selectsthebestlocation.Allplayersplayholeout
1. Any competitor involved in a playoff, and not
their own ball. The lowest two scores are the
immediately available, takes last playoff position.
teamscore.
Multiplenoshowsforplayoffsshallbedecidedby
4. MatchPlay:Inmatchplay,eachholeisaseparate
lot.
contest.Ifyouwinthefirsthole,youare"oneup";
2. Ties for first place and below in a team
ifyouloseit,youare"onedown";ifyouhalveit,
competition will be decided by retrogression,
youare"allsquare."
where scorecards will be matched whereas the
a. Single:Amatchinwhichoneplayerplays
winnerwillbetheIndividual/Teamwiththelowest
againstanotherplayer.
aggregatescoreforthefirst17Holes.Ifthetieis
b. Threesome: A match in which one player
stillnotbroken,thenthelowerorlowestscorefor
plays against two other players, and each
thefirst16holes,15holes,andsoon,willbeused.
sideplaysoneball.
3. During a shotgun format, the order of the holes
c. Foursome: A match in which two players
used for matching scorecards is the natural order
play against two other players, and each
ofholesontheOfficialTournamentScorecard,and
sideplaysoneball.
nottheshotgunstartingorder.
d. ThreeBall: Three players play a match
against one another, each playing his/her 3. Scoring for Handicap Purposes
1. Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is a method of
own ball. Each player is playing two
recordingscoresusedtocalculateagolfhandicap.
distinctmatches.
a) ESCsetsslidingscalesystem,basedonthe
e. BestBall: A match in which one player
currenthandicapofthegolfer,tolimitthe
plays against the better ball of two other
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TheRulesofRecreationalGolf
number of strokes "above par" for
determiningyourhandicap.
b) Handicaps are base on the Rules of Golf
andrequireamodifiedapplicationofESC,
iftheRulesofRecreationalGolfisused.
Add on stoke to for each ball lost
on a hole to the score to a
maximumofthescoresassetout
inthetablebelow.
2. For handicap purposes the maximum score per
holeis:
Your
Handicap

MaximumNumber
onanyHole(RCGA)

Your
Handicap

MaximumNumber
onanyHole(USGA)

0or+

1overpar

upto9

DoubleBogey

118

2overpar

1019

1932

3overpar

2029

33andover

4overpar

3039

40andover

10

4. Tieforlowestnetiswonbyplayerwithlowest
Grossscore.
ADJUSTEDGROSS
72orless
73
74
75

76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101 102 103 104 105
106 107 108 109 110
111 112 113 114 115
116 117 118 119 120
121 122 123 124 125
126 127 128 129 130
AdjustmenttoDeduction
2
1
0
+1
+2

Deduct*
nohandicap
worstholeandadjustment
worstholeandadjustment
1worstholesandadjustment
2worstholesandadjustment
2worstholesandadjustment
3worstholesandadjustment
3worstholesandadjustment
4worstholesandadjustment
4worstholesandadjustment
5worstholesandadjustment
5worstholesandadjustment
6worstholesandadjustment

*theworstgrossscoreregardlessofparforthehole,
theholecannotexceeddoublepar,excludethe16th,
17th, 18th holes. HalfHole Entitlements are applied
tothesmallestoftheworstholes.

4. Slope Rating
1. Thesloperatingindicatesthemeasurementofthe
6. Handicapping Scramble Tournaments
relative difficulty for a bogey golfer compared to
UsetheModifiedScheidScrambleHandicapSystemto
the course rating. Slope rating is computed from
handicapscrambletournamentsasfollows:
the difference between the bogey rating and the
AdjustedTeamScore
Deduct*
courserating.
49orless
nohandicap
2. The lowest slope rating is 55 and the highest is
50 51

noholesandadjustment
155.Theaveragesloperatingis113.
52 53 54

worstholeandadjustment
3. Tocomputethehandicapstrokesfromagivenset
55 56 57

1worstholeandadjustment
58 59 60 61

1worstholesandadjustment
of tees on a specific course with a slope of "s"
62
63
64
65

2worstholesandadjustment
given a handicap index of "h," the following
66 67 68 69

2worstholesandadjustment
formulaisused:(s/113)*hroundedtothenearest
70 71 72 73

3worstholesandadjustment
integer.
74 75 76 77

3worstholesandadjustment
Example: A 20 handicap golfer plays a course with
78 79 80 81 82 4worstholesandadjustment
Slope Rating 126, and Course Rating 72.5. Per the
AdjustmenttoDeduction

2
1
0
+1
+2

formula,his/herhandicapwouldforthiscoursewould
be (126 /113) X 20 = 22.3 (rounded to 22). This
*Deductworstholesbasedonlyonrelationtopar.(i.e.
golfer's average of his/her ten best (out of twenty)
a5onapar3isworsethana6onapar5).
scoreswouldbe94.8fromthisparticularsetofteesat
1.Noholemaybescoredatmorethandoublebogey.
thiscourse.
2.Halfstrokescountaswhole.
3.Inties,thelowestgrossscoretakespreference.
5. Callaway Handicap Scoring
The Callaway Method applies a onetime handicap
that's actually based upon a player's score for the
event.TheCallawayMethodhasthesesteps:
1. Calculate "Adjusted Gross" by applying
DoubleParstrokecontroltoallholes
2. Apply "Adjusted Gross" to the table to
determinetheCallawayHandicapentitlement
3. Apply the adjusted Callaway Handicap to the
"Gross"Scoretoobtain"Net"
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TheRulesforRecreationalGolfmaybereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutpermission.