Rules Guy

Rules
OB stake

Rules Guy: Does an OB boundary extend past the last stake?

If a line of OB stakes comes to an end, does the OB boundary extend beyond the last one? Rules Guy has the answer.
Rules
embedded ball

Rules Guy: Can an embedded ball be denied free relief?

What do you do if your tee shot results in an embedded ball? Can you get free relief or take an unplayable? Rules Guy has the answer.
Rules
Golfer's hand reaching for club in bag

Rules Guy: Is it legal to add a club to your bag mid-round?

If you realize you didn’t bring a club with you mid-way through your round, is it legal to retrieve it and play on? Rules Guy has the answer.
Rules
golf ball on cart path

Rules Guy: If you choose to play the ball off a cart path and hit it OB, can you take relief on your next shot?

If you decide to play the ball off a cart path and hit it OB, is it permissible to take relief on your next shot? Rules Guy has the answer.
Rules
golfer removing golf ball from hole

Rules Guy: Is it legal to tap down grass around the hole before putting?

Is it permissible to tap down wayward blades of grass around the hole before putting? Rules Guy has the answer.
Rules
Golf ball resting against pin and about to drop into hole

Rules Guy: How much of the ball needs to be in the cup to be considered holed?

If your ball is in the hole, but not resting at the bottom of the cup, is it still considered holed? Rules Guy has the answer.
Rules
OB stake

Rules Guy: Can you play a ball that goes OB, but is in-bounds on another hole?

What do you do if you hit your ball OB off the tee, but discover the ball in-bounds on a different hole? Rules Guy has the answer.
Lifestyle
gambling golf

I lost a bet to a sandbagger. Did I have to pay? The Etiquetteist weighs in

Some golfers cheat. But a wager is a wager. And even if the match was unfair from the start, you still have to live up to your word.
Lifestyle
a golfer tees off on the golf course

Pro says high-handicappers could play faster doing this. Is it a good idea?

One PGA Tour player said high-handicappers could speed up play by being more prepared for poor shots while on tee boxes, but is he right?
Lifestyle
two golfers shaking hands on green

Can A.I. help golfers with golf etiquette? We found out

Decades after the rise of Iron Byron, robots don’t just play golf anymore. They’ve got into talking about golf, too.
Lifestyle
lose-up of a golf ball with the flag of South Korea realistically rendered in 3D.

8 ways South Korean golf course etiquette differs from the U.S.

In the golf-obsessed nation of South Korea, golf etiquette is unlike what you’ll experience in the U.S. Here are eight major differences.
Lifestyle
A pair of clean golf shoes alongside a golf glove and a ball.

At a private club, should I feel obligated to have my shoes cleaned? | The Etiquetteist

The privilege of playing as a guest at a fancy club comes with pesky questions, including whether you should have your shoes shined.
Lifestyle
A golfer hanging on to the back of a golf cart.

My playing partner asked to ride in my cart. Could I have said no? | The Etiquetteist

Offering a ride on a course to a stranger is like picking up a hitchhiker on a lonely highway. You might get an oddball in the passenger seat.
Lifestyle
Justin Rose lines up a putt using the AimPoint method.

Should weekend hackers use AimPoint? The Etiquetteist gives his read

Like plumb-bobbing before it, the time-consuming green-reading technique has seeped into the amateur game. Should it be condoned?
Courses
The 17th green at Yeamans Hall golf course in South Carolina

Why this low-country gem was my favorite course I played in 2024

Nestled in the low country of South Carolina is Yeamans Hall Club. It awed me with its views — and unlocked striking memories, too.
Travel
A look down the 6th hole at the "Old" at Leven.

A course that exists just one day a year inspired our best-read travel story of 2024

A Top 100-worthy layout that few have ever heard of and even fewer get to play, the Old at Leven hosts a one-day event in July.
Travel
best golf courses in the us

The best golf courses in all 50 states for 2024-25, ranked!

These are the best golf courses in all 50 states for 2024-25, according to GOLF’s panel of expert course raters.
Travel
Shooting Star, Teton Village WY

Best golf courses in Wyoming for 2024-25

These are the best golf courses in Wyoming, according to GOLF Magazine’s 2024-25 ranking by its expert panel of course raters.
Travel
The par-4 2nd hole at Erin Hills.

Best golf courses in Wisconsin for 2024-25

These are the best golf courses in Wisconsin, according to GOLF Magazine’s 2024-25 ranking by its expert panel of course raters.
Travel
Pikewood National

Best golf courses in West Virginia for 2024-25

These are the best golf courses in West Virginia, according to GOLF Magazine’s 2024-25 ranking by its expert panel of course raters.
Travel
Gamble Sands is located in Brewster, Washington.

Best golf courses in Washington for 2024-25

These are the best golf courses in Washington, according to GOLF Magazine’s 2024-25 ranking by its expert panel of course raters.
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