GOLF STUDY GUIDE
Golf is a game of etiquette and quiet skill, in which golfers use various types of clubs
to hit a ball into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes
(hits).
Golf courses are typically 18 holes which include: the Tee area, fairway, rough and
other hazards (water or sand traps), and the putting green surrounded by a fringe,
where the cup and pin (flagstick) are.
The Official Rules of Golf Made Easy
CLUBS and STROKES:
The driver is the largest headed and longest club used to tee off and get distance out
of your hit.
The next hit is usually from the fairway and depending on the distance from the
hole, you would use one of your irons (which are numbered 3-8).
Once you get closer to a short distance shot around the green (smooth area around
flag and hole), you might chip the ball up (using a 9 iron or pitching wedge) so it
lands on the green and rolls toward the hole.
The putt is a gentle hit to put the ball into the cup.
THE GOLFER DOES NOT HIT THE BALL – RATHER SWINGS THE CLUB, WHICH
THEN STRIKES THE BALL. THE NUMBER CLUB IS BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF
ANGLE OF THE CLUB WHICH THEN DETERMINES HOW HIGH OR FAR YOU MIGHT
MAKE THE BALL GO. Caddies are people who carry the golfer’s bag, and helps give
advice on which club to use for the appropriate shot.
SCORING:
Par is the number of strokes a skilled golfer should require to complete play at that
particular hole (based on distance and hazards).
Par for most holes is usually 3-5 strokes.
BIRDIE = one stroke under par (-1)
EAGLE = two strokes under par (-2)
***** PAR = you took put the ball in the hole in the number given
BOGEY = one stoke over par (+1)
DOUBLE BOGEY = two strokes over par (+2)
Golf Etiquette
As golf is still considered to be “the gentleman’s game”, it is important to understand
what behavior on the golf course is frowned upon. As golf is played without close
supervision, it is up to the individual golfer to show integrity, honesty, and
sportsmanship. This is what golf etiquette is all about – it is the spirit of the game of golf.
Here are some more specific golf etiquette rules:
* Safety – Don’t swing your club when someone is standing nearby and could be hit by
your club, ball, or some other object.
* Don’t tee off or hit your approach shot to the green until the group in front is well out
of reach or have departed the green.
* When your ball is hit in the direction of someone and there is a danger that it may hit
them, you are obliged to shout a warning such as “fore”.
* If your group is consistently playing slower than the group behind, then let them play
through. You should always be ready to play your shot when it is your turn.
* Show consideration to other golfers – don’t make any noises, cast a shadow, or make
movements when they are taking their shots.
* After hitting out of a bunker, you should rake away your footmarks and any other
marks you make. In fact, golf etiquette dictates that you should leave the bunker in a
better condition than you found it.
* You should always replace or fill in your divots on the fairway.
* If you hit your ball into a water hazard or out of bounds, you must play another ball
from the designated drop zone or from a position any distance behind the hazard
(including the original position of where your ball was) but no closer to the hole – you
will be penalized a stroke.