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Is there a printable guide for common Rules every golfer should know?

Yes. Our Rules Situation Quick Reference Guide is a simple, easy-to-use resource that highlights common on-course scenarios, along with the correct procedures and any applicable penalties.

It’s designed as a quick reference you can review before or during your round.

▶️For a printable version of this guide, please click HERE

Common Situations & Applicable Procedures
Each scenario in the top section is paired with one or more letter codes. Refer to the Procedures & Penalties section below to see what those letters mean.

Out of Bounds or Lost Ball - D 

Unplayable Ball - D, E, H 

Ball in Yellow Penalty Area - C, D, or F 

Ball in Red Penalty Area - C, D, F, or I 

Hitting the Wrong Ball (must correct) - A or B 

Playing from a Wrong Place - A, B, or J 

Grounding Club in Penalty Area - C 

Grounding Club / Touching Sand near Ball in Bunker Before Making a Stroke - A or B 

Giving or Asking Advice - A or B 

Ball on Cart Path or in Abnormal Course Condition – C, D, G 
(ground under repair, immovable obstruction, temporary water, animal holes) 

Agreeing to Waive a Rule - J 

Procedures & Penalties 

A   Two Stroke Penalty – Stroke Play General Penalty

B    Loss of Hole – Match Play General Penalty

C   No Penalty – Play the ball as it lies

D    One stroke penalty and replay from where the ball was last played
       *If Model Local Rule E-5 is in effect, please reference MLR E-5
         in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. 

E    One stroke penalty and drop back-on-the-line relief from the hole through the lie of the ball

F    One stroke penalty and drop back-on-the-line relief from the hole through where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area

G    No penalty – Free relief and drop a ball in lateral relief area of one club length, no closer to the hole

H   One stroke penalty and drop a ball in lateral relief area of two club lengths from where the ball lies, no closer to the hole

I   One stroke penalty and drop a ball in lateral relief area of two club lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area, no closer to the hole

J   Disqualification

IMPORTANT DROP RULE UPDATES 

  • All drops are from knee height (no longer from shoulder height).  
  • A ball must be dropped and come to rest in the relief area.  
  • You are allowed to substitute a ball when taking a drop.  

Obsolete Terms: Hazard, Through the Green, Margin, Burrowing, Outside Agency 

New Terms: General Area, Penalty Area, Edge, Abnormal Course Condition, Temporary Water, Outside Influence, Back-on-the-Line Relief 

Note: The term “opposite margin” is no longer used , and that option no longer exists for red penalty areas unless specified in a local rule. 

ADDITIONAL REFERENCE 
For full language regarding relief options, please reference the Rules of Golf