USGA Rules & Education

 

Rules of Golf is a joint publication of the USGA and Royal & Ancient (R&A) based in St. Andrews, Scotland. Think of the Rules as a reference, with great explanatory pictures, rather than a publication to read cover-to-cover. On the website, scroll down the right column and select a rule, which then displays and scrolls in the left column. 

 

These other USGA website links are particularly helpful:

• The USGA Rules of Golf App is available for free for smartphones. Find it on the Apple App Store and Google Play in addition to the USGA website.
•  The USGA’s Tips and Suggestions for Improving Pace of Play are particularly useful if you are struggling to play nine holes in 2 hours and 15 minutes. 
• Per Local Niners Rules of Play, a player can elect to use USGA Model Rule E-5, rather than Rule 18, when her ball is out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area.  
• 15 Rules Every Golfer Should Know is a one-page graphic that addresses common questions, like how to take relief from obstacles, what to do if you accidentally move a ball, and what you are allowed to do on the green, in a bunker, or in a penalty area.
• In clips less than 2 minutes long, the Rules of Golf Explained Videos cover the 12 rules you are most likely to use.
•  Rules 101 is a more extensive video course that takes about 6 hours to complete. The course contains nine sections that are divided into learning activities of several minutes.