School of Rules

Chapter 1: Golf English
Learning the rules of golf - Assuming you want to!

As with most learning, the first step to learning the rules of golf begins and ends with the basics, learning to speak golf English, or the definitions. If you don’t know what a penalty area is, how do you know if you are in it , and what to do to get out of it? If you have never read the definitions to the rules of golf and learned to speak golf English, then you shouldn’t be surprised you don’t really have a clue.

Definition of the Week

Known or virtually certain (netted down version):

  1. Means more than just possible or probable.
  2. The player or other witness saw it happen or found THE ball. 
  3. There is at least a 95% chance it happened
Rule of the Week

Rule 17.1c – Relief for Ball Not Found but in Penalty Area

If a player’s ball has not been found and it is known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in a penalty area:

  • The player may take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d or 17.2.
  • Once the player puts another ball in play to take relief in this way:
    • The original ball is no longer in play and must not be played.
    • This is true even if it is then found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time (see Rule 6.3b).

But if it is not known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in a penalty area and the ball is lost, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief under Rule 18.2.

Important Links
Download the free USGA Rules of Golf to your phone from the app store or bookmark the USGA link:

For a hardcopy to read to help you go to sleep, you can purchase it from the USGA at:

This Week’s Homework
  1. Read the definition of Abnormal Course Condition (ACC). Hint: the USGA Rules of Golf link will take you to it. 
  2. Remember AGIT once you have read it
  3. Extra Credit : Read the other 4 definitions within the definition of ACC.