TheRules
The starter will offer key reminders to your group as you depart on your championship round.
Avoid Bad Habits
A guide to the common mistakes golfers make in competition— and how to steer clear of them by CHARLES ROLEN
USGA
So, you’ ve decided to step into the world of competition golf. Congratulations! Following the Rules of Golf may feel intimidating at first, but the foundation is simple: Play the course as you find it and play the ball as it lies. This piece doesn’ t cover every nuance, but it does highlight several key differences between casual golf and tournament golf.
Remember, integrity is at the heart of tournament play. You are responsible for applying your own penalties and avoiding any unfair advantage.
Four things to check before you start
1. Count your clubs( Rule 4.1b) You’ re allowed to have a maximum of 14 clubs. Count before you tee off to avoid carrying an extra club.
2. Turn off the slope function on your rangefinder Rule 4.3a prohibits the use of equipment that measures elevation changes. Just turn it off and leave it off.
3. Put away training aids You can carry them in your bag, but don’ t use them during a round.
4. Review the“ Notice to Players” sheet This sheet includes local rules, competition specifics, and unique course conditions like Drop Zones or special out-of-bounds areas. Read it carefully.
Teeing area awareness The Teeing Area is defined as a rectangle two club-lengths deep from the front edge of the tee markers. That’ s more space than you might think. Do not casually tee your ball a few inches in front of the markers. Doing so in stroke play can carry serious penalties if not corrected before you start the next hole( Rule 6.2).
Preferred Lies( lift, clean, and place) Preferred Lies( MLR E-3) means you may lift, clean, and place your ball within the designated relief area, usually one club-length or one scorecard-length, not nearer the hole.
A few reminders:
• You may change balls.
• Marking the original spot is optional but a good habit.
• Rolling the ball into place carries at least a one-stroke penalty( Rule 14.2b( 2)).
And if you really want to annoy a Rules Official, just ask,“ Are we rolling it today?”
Provisional Balls( Rule 18.3) Use a Provisional Ball only when your original ball might be out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area. It is not for a shot that may or may not be in a penalty area. Relief options in a penalty area follow Rule 17.
Pitch marks When your ball is off the green, don’ t repair pitch marks short of the green on your line of play. Rule 8,“ play the course as you find it,” protects against improving conditions that could affect your next stroke. After playing, you may repair them as you walk to the green.
Advice Rule( Rule 10.2a) Understanding the Advice Rule is vital in avoiding costly penalties in competitions. Refrain from giving or receiving advice from competitors. A breach results in two penalty strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.
Examples of advice( penalty applies):
•“ Nice shot, Josh. What club did you hit?”
•“ You’ ve got no shot. I’ d take unplayable ball relief.”
Exchanges not considered advice( no penalty):
• Location of course features
• Distance between two points
• Wind direction( added in 2023)
• Rules clarification
Important exception: You may, almost always, give or receive advice from your partner or caddie.
Time to level up Tournament golf is as much about discipline as it is about skill. Understanding and respecting the Rules of Golf not only protects the integrity of the entire competition but also enhances your enjoyment of the game. vsga. org J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2026 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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