FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Digital Book
  • Profiles
  • Sustainability
  • Travel
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Public Affairs
Know the Rules
Home›Know the Rules›Avoid Those Penalties

Avoid Those Penalties

By Jimmy Becker
April 1, 2014
6060
0
Share:
penalties

Have you ever stepped up to the first tee at your club championship, a SCGA qualifier or some other golf competition and had butterflies in your stomach? Your hands are shaking, your insides are like jelly and your head is spinning because you just had a bad warm-up session and now you have to battle these inner demons and the rest of the field for 18 holes.  The last thing on your mind is the Rules of Golf and the responsibility you have to them when out on the golf course in a competitive setting.  Have no fear, the Rules Crew is here to give you a few tips.

Read any information sent to you before the event

Rule 6 is one of the most important rules of golf. Perfectly titled “The Player,” it is the rule in which you are responsible for knowing the rules during a stipulated round.  Ignorance of the rules is not necessarily going to absolve you from penalty on the course.  The Conditions of Competition establish the guidelines under which the tournament or qualifier is being played.  This document will tell you things such as if carts or caddies are allowed.  It is vital to know these things so you can prevent yourself from earning a penalty for violation of a condition.  Also, make sure you pick up the local rules document.  It is usually on the back on the hole location sheet and these are course specific situations that the committee wants you to know about.

Count your clubs and be to your starting tee on time

Rule 4-4a only allows you a maximum of 14 clubs during a stipulated round. Many players from a beginner to advanced level do not always count their clubs before a round and end up being penalized after their round has started for not removing excess clubs.  The ten seconds it takes you to count your clubs can prevent you from earning two or even four bonus strokes (penalty strokes, but bonus doesn’t sound as bad).

The most frequently violated rule in any event is a player being late to the tee. Rule 6-3a states that a player must start at the time established by the Committee or a penalty of two strokes (if he/she arrives within 5 minutes) or disqualification will be imposed.  It is the player’s – and only the player’s – responsibility to be on the tee ready to play at the assigned starting time.  A good rule of thumb is to be at your assigned tee when the group in front of you is teeing off.  You can never be penalized for being to your assigned tee early, but you sure will for being late!

Check and sign your score card

Another place where penalties frequently occur is in the scoring area. The player is responsible for 20 things on their own score card.  A player must have 18 hole-by-hole scores in the appropriate boxes along with two signatures – their own and that of the person who kept score for them.  Most players just want to dump their score card and leave the scoring area without checking it.  It is vital to take a few minutes and double check your score card to make sure everything is right.  Any changes can be made when you are still in the scoring area, but once you leave that area, no alterations can be made to the score card and usually the players who do not check their cards are the ones who end up having issues.

Tournament golf is a great way for players of all levels to compete in an environment that tests their skills, both physically and mentally. If you follow these three basic tips in a competition, your day will more than likely be rather smooth and uneventful. Your performance…well, that’s up to you.

Previous Article

Par for Paradise: Hawaii Stay-and-Play Options for ...

Next Article

King of TaylorMade: With Big Dreams and ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Jimmy Becker

Jimmy's career in golf administration began in 2004 as an intern with the SCGA and spent some time at the NCGA from 2005-2011. Since rejoining the SCGA in 2011, he helps administer SCGA, CGA and USGA qualifiers/championships, and is featured in the Rules Crew video series, teaching the Rules of Golf to SCGA members and its clubs. He is also in charge of the site procurement process for the Championships & Golf Operations department along with managing the exemption and Player of the Year programs. He has served as a Rules Official at numerous USGA National Championships and has achieved the highest level of rating on the PGA/USGA Rules Exam. A native Southern Californian, in his free time he enjoys hanging out with friends, playing sports and going to the beach.

Related articles More from author

  • Core MissionFeaturedKnow the RulesSpring 2025

    Rule 25

    May 15, 2025
    By Jimmy Becker
  • four ball
    Know the Rules

    What is Four-Ball and How Does It Affect the Rules?

    January 1, 2015
    By Jimmy Becker
  • rules tsar
    Know the RulesSpring 2016

    Rules Tsar: Easy Fixes I’ll Make When I’m in Charge

    April 1, 2016
    By Ken Van Vechten
  • Know the Rules

    The USGA’s Major Proposed Changes to the Rules of Golf

    December 14, 2017
    By admin
  • Rules Book
    Know the Rules

    Bring Your Smartphone: In the Decisions for 2014, more devices can now be used on the course

    January 1, 2014
    By Jeff Ninnemann
  • Know the RulesSummer 2021

    20 Things You Didn’t Know About Golf Equipment

    July 22, 2021
    By Jimmy Becker

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhousePublic AffairsSpring 2025

    Doing More With Less

  • CoversFeaturedSpring 2025

    A Unified Response

  • FeaturedOn The TeeSpring 2025

    Club Spotlight

  • FeaturedIn The ClubhouseSpring 2025

    Original Wonder Woman

  • FeaturedFirst CutOn The TeeSpring 2025

    Rage or Sage

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • John Henebry

    By Judd Spicer
    May 15, 2025
  • Fun & Games

    By Kevin O'Connor
    May 15, 2025
  • Rule 25

    By Jimmy Becker
    May 15, 2025
  • Doing More With Less

    By Kevin Fitzgerald
    May 15, 2025
  • Original Wonder Woman

    By Joe Passov
    May 15, 2025
  • Handicap Hints: Exceptional Score Reductions

    By Kevin O'Connor
    October 14, 2020
  • Muni He: Return Engagement

    By Judd Spicer
    February 3, 2020
  • The Diva Golfer

    By Azucena Maldonado
    January 31, 2017
  • John Henebry

    By Judd Spicer
    May 15, 2025
  • Club Spotlight: Making Cuts On & Off the Course

    By Scott Fluhler
    October 13, 2020
  • melhor código de indicac~ao da binance
    on
    July 14, 2025

    True Spec Golf Opens at La Costa

    Your article helped me ...
  • TRY TO
    on
    July 14, 2025

    The Comeback at Callaway: How new President and CEO Chip Brewer is reviving a Legacy

    Howdy! Do you use ...
  • lloyds chemist viagra
    on
    July 14, 2025

    Handicap Hints: Exceptional Score Reductions

    Many children take good ...
  • binance code
    on
    July 14, 2025

    Birdies and the Beach: New Co-Ed Club Encourages Couples Golf, Giving Back

    Thank you for your ...
  • Kaitlyn655
    on
    July 14, 2025

    The Heart of Idaho

    Promote, refer, earn—join our ...

RECENT COMMENTS

  • melhor código de indicac~ao da binance on True Spec Golf Opens at La Costa
  • TRY TO on The Comeback at Callaway: How new President and CEO Chip Brewer is reviving a Legacy
  • lloyds chemist viagra on Handicap Hints: Exceptional Score Reductions
  • binance code on Birdies and the Beach: New Co-Ed Club Encourages Couples Golf, Giving Back
  • Kaitlyn655 on The Heart of Idaho
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise