Top 10 Most Common Golf Rule Questions and Answers

1. Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions

Includes cart paths, sprinkler heads, temporary water, ground under repair, and animal holes.

Players often ask: Do I get free relief?·

Answer: Yes, if it interferes with your stance, swing, or ball position (Rule 16). Drop within one club length from the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole.

2. Penalty Area Relief

Common question: What do I do if my ball is in a water hazard or penalty area?·

Answer: You can play it as it lies or take relief with a one-stroke penalty (back-on-the-line or lateral relief options).

3. Ball Out of Bounds

What’s the penalty for hitting out of bounds?

Answer: Stroke and distance · replay from the previous spot with a one-stroke penalty.

4. Unplayable Lie

Can I declare my ball unplayable anywhere?

Answer: Yes, except in a penalty area. You have three options: stroke and distance, back-on-the-line, or two club lengths (all with one-stroke penalty).

5. Embedded Ball

What if my ball is embedded in the ground?

Answer: Free relief in the general area (Rule 14.3), unless in a penalty area or bunker.

6. Loose Impediments

Can I move stones, leaves, or twigs around my ball?

Answer: Yes, even in bunkers and penalty areas, but don’t move the ball or improve conditions beyond the rules.

7. Accidental Ball Movement

Is there a penalty if I accidentally move my ball while searching or on the green?

Answer: No penalty in most cases under the current rules (Rule 14.2d).

8. Wrong Ball

What happens if I hit the wrong ball?

Answer: Two-stroke penalty in stroke play; loss of hole in match play.

9. Dropping Procedure

How do I drop correctly?

Answer: From knee height, within the relief area, and it must stay in that area after two drops (or place it).

10. Search Time

How long can I look for a lost ball?

Answer: Maximum of 3 minutes (changed from 5 minutes in 2019).