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The Rules of Golf
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About Definitions
There are over 70 defined terms and these form the foundation around which the Rules are written. A good knowledge of the defined terms (which are in a lighter blue and bold) is very important to the correct application of the Rules.
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A
Abnormal Course Condition
Advice
Animal
Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans).
Animal Hole
Areas of the Course
B
Ball-Marker
Boundary Object
Bunker
C
Caddie
Club-Length
Committee
Conditions Affecting the Stroke
Course
D
Drop
E
Embedded
Equipment
Equipment Rules
The specifications and other regulations for clubs, balls and other equipment that players are allowed to use during a round. The Equipment Rules are found at RandA.org/EquipmentStandards.
F
Flagstick
Four-Ball
Foursomes (also known as "Alternate Shot")
G
General Area
General Penalty
Loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play.
Ground Under Repair
I
Immovable Obstruction
Improve
To alter one or more of the conditions affecting the stroke or other physical conditions affecting play so that a player gains a potential advantage for a stroke.
In Play
Integral Object
K
Known or Virtually Certain
L
Lie
Line of Play
Loose Impediment
Lost
M
Mark
Marker
Match Play
Maximum Score
A form of stroke play where a player’s or side's score for a hole is capped at a maximum number of strokes (including strokes made and any penalty strokes) set by the Committee, such as two times par, a fixed number or net double bogey.
Movable Obstruction
Moved
N
Natural Forces
The effects of nature such as wind, water or when something happens for no apparent reason because of the effects of gravity.
Nearest Point of Complete Relief
No Play Zone
O
Obstruction
Opponent
The person a player competes against in a match. The term opponent applies only in match play.
Out of Bounds
Outside Influence
P
Par/Bogey
Partner
A player who competes together with another player as a side, in either match play or stroke play.
Penalty Area
Point of Maximum Available Relief
Provisional Ball
Putting Green
R
Referee
Relief Area
Replace
Round
18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee.
S
Scorecard
Serious Breach
Side
Stableford
Stance
Stroke
Stroke and Distance
Stroke Play
Substitute
T
Tee
An object used to raise a ball above the ground to play it from the teeing area. It must be no longer than four inches (101.6 mm) and conform with the Equipment Rules.
Teeing Area
Temporary Water
Three-Ball
W
Wrong Ball
Wrong Green
Wrong Place