The ruling in plain English
Usually no. During a round, asking another golfer which club they used can be prohibited advice if the answer could influence your club choice or play. You may ask your own caddie, and you may ask anyone for public information such as a distance or Rules explanation.
Apply the Rule on the course
A player must not give advice to another competitor or touch another player's equipment to learn advice. Public information such as distances, locations and the Rules is not advice. A breach gets the general penalty.
- 1
Decide whether the information is public or could influence club choice, stroke execution or strategy.
- 2
Ask your own caddie for strategic advice.
- 3
Do not ask an opponent or competitor which club to use or which club they used to guide your play.
- 4
Do not touch another player's clubs or bag to discover advice.
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What else matters
The general penalty: loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play.
Exceptions
- A player may ask their own caddie for advice.
- Partners, their caddies and authorised advice givers may exchange advice where Rules 22, 23 or 24 allow.
- Distances, locations and Rules information are public information.
Common mistakes
- Assuming another player's club choice is public information.
- Treating a distance question and a club-selection question as the same thing.
Remember: Distance is information; club choice is advice.
R&A Rule 10.2a and Definition of Advice
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.
Watch the advice rule explained
This independent rules-education video explains what players may give or ask during a round under the advice Rule.