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Golden Rules of Golf ™

1. Lose a ball, find a ball

a. The philosophy behind a penalty stroke was to encourage players to

conserve matter. But clearly if you find more than you lose, the result is a net

benefit.

b. Thus, if you find at least as many golf balls on the course as you lose

in one round there are no penalty strokes for lost golf balls.

c. Also, because the person who lost the ball already took the penalty

stroke, you get a “lost ball mulligan” to use in that round.2. Mulligans – not just for tee shots anymore

a. A mulligan is allowed on every shot, sometimes more than one.

b. You may gain more mulligans by finding more lost golf balls on the

course – see Rule Number 1.

3. Material Advancement Rule

a. If any stroke does not materially advance the ball towards the hole,

then the stroke does not count.

b. This rule applies everywhere on the course, but is especially usefulon or near the green. Examples:

i. If you run your three foot putt five feet past the cup, the

three foot putt does not count as a stroke, because you did not materially

advance the ball to the hole.

ii. Also, if you fly your chip shot over the green, the stroke did

not materially advance the ball to the hole and does not count.

iii. This rule is frequently used for bunker shots that fail toleave the sand.

c. Generally stated, if you do not receive a benefit from the stroke it

should not count against you.

4. Improve your lie

a. If your lie is in someone else’s un-repaired divot then you have the

right to improve your lie.

b. If there is an obstruction in front of you, like a tree, improve your lie

so you have a clear shot at the hole.

c. If the sand in the trap is wet and packed down, move your ball to the

nearest first or second cut of rough, as needed, for a clear shot.

d. You should not be hindered by a poorly maintained course for which

you paid good money to play.

5. Three to make two

Not approved for use in tournaments or by low handicap players.



a. If you are putting and you miss, try it again from the same spot. If

you can make two out of three attempts, it only counts as one stroke, an

excellent way to save par or card a birdie.

b. This rule is especially helpful for those short putts you should make

anyway, but can also come in handy for long putts where the first miss showsyou the line.

Copyright – Derric Saville – 2005

Golfing Buddies, Inc.



6. Scoring

a. Because of the “lose a ball, find a ball” rule, if you find

more than you lost, congratulate yourself on a fine round.

b. However, if you lose more than you find, you must buy a

drink for every ball you lost. Hint - Consider spending more timelooking for your wayward balls next round.

7. Betting

a. If anyone bets that you cannot make a shot, and you succeed, the shot

counts, but the stroke does not count. Thus, if you were on in three and one

putted, the putt is not counted and you score a three.

b. This rule applies even if no money is involved in the bet.

c. Also, the word “bet” need not be used, a simple derogatory statementis sufficient to invoke this rule.

d. This rule is designed to encourage your group to support you, instead

of belittling your game.

8. Hole in one

a. If you get a hole in one, after a derogatory comment about your

game, the score card will reflect that you made the hole in one, but the stroke is

subtracted at the end of the round similar to a handicap to achieve a final score.

b. You still have to buy drinks at the next stop, or end of the round.c. However, if you are at a par three, on in one, are bet that you cannot

make the putt, and you do, the hole is scored as one stroke, but not officially a

“hole in one”, so no trophy, or name on the wall of the clubhouse, and no

bragging.

9. Free drop

a. If you cannot find your ball, you are entitled to take a free drop from

any location where you think your ball went.

b. There is no penalty stroke. The other members of your group areequally responsible for watching your drive, so if they did not keep sight of it,

it is not a penalty for you.

c. Free drops can be taken for balls that sailed out of bounds, entered a

hazard, or were simply lost in the rough, and there will be no penalty stroke.

10. Average Stroke Rule

a. If you play a particular course regularly and have a bad hole, it is

permissible to give yourself the average you usually shoot on that particular

hole. b. There is no reason to ruin your round just because you had a few too

many shots on any given hole.

c. Theoretically you could invoke this rule on every hole, but at some

point you must admit you could have stayed home and shot the same score.





d. If you invoke this rule even once during the round, do not claim low

score of the day, even if you finish well under your companions, so be wise

when invoking this rule.

