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Use ordinary golf language—“ball moved”, “cart path” or “lost ball”—and open the guide that matches your situation.
30 guides available
What to do when your golf ball is lost
Search time, provisional balls and the stroke-and-distance procedure.
Golf ball out of bounds: penalty and next steps
The boundary test, stroke and distance, and the Local Rule alternative.
Accidentally moved your golf ball?
When to replace it, when a penalty applies and the important exceptions.
Golf bunker rules: what you can and cannot do
Touching sand, practice swings, loose impediments and relief.
Golf cart-path relief
When relief is free and how to find the nearest point of complete relief.
Embedded golf-ball relief
The own-pitch-mark test and the correct free-drop procedure.
Yellow and red penalty-area relief
The available options, one-stroke cost and last-crossing-point test.
Ball moved on the putting green
When to replace it and how wind or water changes the answer.
Unplayable-ball relief options
Stroke and distance, back on the line, lateral relief and bunker choices.
Played the wrong golf ball?
Match-play and stroke-play penalties and how to correct the mistake.
Are Gimmes Allowed in Golf?
When a putt may be conceded in match play and why stroke play is different.
What Is the Penalty for Carrying 15 Clubs?
The 14-club limit, penalties and how to take an excess club out of play.
Can You Ask Another Golfer What Club They Hit?
What counts as advice and which factual questions remain allowed.
Ground Under Repair Relief: When a Free Drop Applies
When GUR interferes and how to take complete free relief.
Temporary Water Relief: When a Free Drop Applies
How visible temporary water affects the lie, stance and relief procedure.
Can You Move Leaves, Sticks or Stones Beside Your Ball?
When natural loose objects may be removed and what happens if the ball moves.
Can You Move a Rake, Bottle or Stake Beside Your Ball?
How to remove artificial movable objects and replace a ball that moves.
Double Hit in Golf: Does It Count as Two Strokes?
Why an accidental multiple hit during one stroke counts only once.
Golf Ball Hits You or Your Equipment: Is It a Penalty?
The usual outcome when a moving ball accidentally hits the player or equipment.
Played from the Wrong Place? Penalty and What to Do Next
The general penalty, serious breaches and when the mistake must be corrected.
Can You Use a Slope Rangefinder in Golf?
When straight-line distance is allowed and why slope must be switched off.
Ball on the Wrong Green: Must You Take Relief?
Mandatory complete relief when another putting green interferes.
Golf Ball Drop: Does It Have to Be from Knee Height?
The correct release height and how to correct an improper drop.
Wind Moved Your Golf Ball: Replace It or Play On?
When natural forces mean a new spot and when the ball goes back.
Teed Off from the Wrong Markers: What Happens?
The different correction rules for stroke play and match play.
Can You Practise a Putt After Finishing a Hole?
Where putting or chipping between holes is permitted.
Can You Clean a Golf Ball Lifted Off the Green?
How the reason for lifting determines whether cleaning is allowed.
Ball in an Animal Hole: Is Free Relief Allowed?
Which animal holes qualify and how to take complete free relief.
Putt Hit the Flagstick: Is There a Penalty?
The ordinary no-penalty result and the deliberate exceptions.
Club Broke During a Round: Can You Replace It?
Replacement after ordinary damage, abuse and Local Rule G-9.