You grab your club and venture out on a lush green course. With tremendous enthusiasm, you hit the ball but get penalized and are left wondering what you did. Golf is such a complex game. There are a ton of rules that can be confusing for new players. However, we can’t stop enjoying golf despite complex rules, can we?

So, the next time you play golf, be armed with the knowledge of these 8 somewhat obscure but important golf rules. After all, knowledge is power, right?

Avoiding a Stroke Penalty (Rule 12-1B)

Let’s say you hit the ball into a bunker. There’s sand everywhere but after a lot of effort, you finally find the ball. Now, if you aren’t aware of rule 12-1B, trouble is inevitable. This rule states that you cannot hit the ball without re-covering it with sand.

The penalty in such a case is considerable – you’ll be hit with two strokes! So, to avoid a two-stroke penalty, it is mandatory to re-cover your golf ball with sand. You can, however, remove loose impediments before hitting the ball from a bunker. So, always keep this in mind when your ball lands in a sandy area.

The Club Swing Rule

Downswing and upswing are the most common motions in any game of golf. On some occasions, your clubhead can fall off inadvertently. Now, the club swing rule states that your clubhead fall can determine the count of a stroke. For example, say you are swinging in the direction of the ball, that is, a downswing. Unfortunately, your clubhead falls. Does the stroke count?

Yes, it does. During the downswing, a fallen clubhead won’t save your stroke count. However, during a backswing, a fallen clubhead won’t result in counting the stroke. Overall, be wary of your clubhead fitment. It’s always better to play it safe than to regret it later.

Hitting Golf Ball in Water

Let’s consider you hit the golf ball into a body of water. Consequently, the ball begins to move on the surface of the water. Golf rules state that you are permitted to hit the moving ball. However, you aren’t allowed to wait until it reaches a suitable position. In a nutshell, you need to make the stroke without any delay if your ball lands in the water.

Never Wipe your Golf Ball

This golf rule is a tad weird but still very much in play. In case you visit the fairway early morning to play a game, dew is often present. Players often wipe the dew from their golf ball with their hands or a cloth. However, if you do this, you can get penalized for two strokes. In short, you are not allowed to wipe dew off your golf balls! On the other hand, this rule doesn’t apply to a tee box – you can wipe the dew off the tee box before playing a stroke.

The Flagstick Rule (Rule 11.2)

When playing golf, you need to be aware of certain conditions when dealing with a flagstick. If you hit the flagstick accidentally after removing it, there is no penalty. However, if you use the flagstick to deliberately deflect the ball, you will get a general penalty. This is only the case if the person holding the flagstick is a player in your caddie. This is then a breach of rule 11.2 and the penalty will apply.

The 90-Degree Rule

Another important but lesser known rule is the 90 degree rule golf. This rule applies to the movement of golf carts. The fairway has designated routes where you can drive a golf cart. According to the 90-degree rule, you need to drive your cart at a right angle – in other words, avoid driving on the fairway to reach your destination. This rule is vital to maintain the quality and consistency of the turf. It encourages discipline for everyone driving golf carts.

No Penalty for Hitting Others

You won’t get penalized for hitting another golfer. In most cases, such incidents are accidental. However, this rule doesn’t permit you to go crazy and hit other people on the golf course. Be careful and be sure to apologize if an unintentional incident does occur.

Pine Cones Are Obstacles

If your ball settles in a bunker and gets stuck to a pine cone, you’re not allowed to remove this obstacle. In other words, you need to play the stroke as it is. If you do move the pine cone, there is a penalty of two strokes, so you should think of the pine cone as an obstacle. Just take a deep breath and focus on your stroke.

Endnotes

Whether you are a beginner golfer or a seasoned player, golf rules can get the best of anyone. So it’s important to study not only the basic rules but also the more obscure ones before venturing out on the course. A lack of knowledge in this field can seriously end up hampering your game with unwanted penalties!