The objective of golf is to hit a ball using a club into a hole. A game of golf is about hitting the ball into a set of holes; one set usually consist 18 holes. The area where the ball is hit by the club is called teeing ground. From the teeing ground, the ball will travel across the fairway onto a prepared area where the next hole is. This prepared area is called the putting green. To win the game, one has to hit the ball into all the holes in as little strokes as possible.
There are two kinds of play which golfers can compete in, the stroke play or the match play. The stroke play is when golfers compete to finish the game in the least number of strokes. The match play is when the winner is determined by the holes that are lost and won. There are also two simple rules to remember when playing golf. Play the course as it is and play the ball as it lies. If this is hard to follow, try your best then to do what is fair.
When it comes to basic golf courtesy, here are some tips to follow. Play with as little delay as possible. If the other players in your group have left, you should also do the same. Remove any footprints found in the bunkers and as much as possible, replace the divots. When on the putting green, don't drop your clubs and avoid standing too close to a player who is making a stroke.
There are also a few things to remember before actual play starts. Remember to count your clubs; you should not have more than 14 clubs. Label your golf ball that you will be using so that when it gets placed among other balls, you would have no problem knowing which is yours. Also, read the local rules stated on the score card which you will be holding.
When actual play starts, you must play in the appropriate area. If you play outside the specific area, you will be given a penalty of two strokes if you are in a stroke play. For the same scenario, though you do not incur a penalty in a match play, your opponent can ask you to repeat the stroke. When teeing off, it is best to tee off in front of the tee markers.
You can lift your ball to clean it before placing it on the exact spot where it was. You can also lift your ball if it is to assist another player. You may lift any other ball too as long as it interferes with another player's play or your play. When dropping the ball, stand erect and hold the ball at the length of your shoulder before dropping it. If for any reason it hits someone, the ball must be dropped again. There is no penalty for this.
