The Top 10 Most Common Rules Everyone Should Know in Competition Golf

Golf is a game built on honour and respect, which is why its rules are taken seriously, especially in competition play. For many golfers, moving from casual rounds with friends into official competitions can feel intimidating. Social games might allow “mulligans” or “gimmies,” but tournaments follow the Rules of Golf, and every player is expected to know and follow them.

The good news? You don’t need to memorise the entire rulebook to feel comfortable. By learning the most common rules, you’ll avoid unnecessary penalties, play faster, and feel more confident in any competition.

Let’s break down the 10 most important golf rules every player should know, even if you’re just getting started.

1. No Mulligans in Competition Play

In friendly weekend games, a mulligan, where you get a free re-hit after a bad shot, is often accepted. In competition, mulligans are not allowed. Once the ball is in play, every stroke counts.

Why it matters: Mulligans change the fairness of the competition. In official play, your score is only valid if every stroke is recorded.

Tip: If you top your tee shot or send it sideways, don’t panic. Accept it, take your medicine, and focus on the next shot. Competition golf is about recovering well, not playing perfectly.

2. Play the Ball as It Lies

One of the oldest principles in golf is simple: you must play the ball as it lies. You can’t move it out of a bad lie, flatten grass with your club, or break branches to create a better swing path.

Why it matters: This rule keeps the challenge of the game fair and consistent. Everyone faces tough lies at some point.

Example: If your ball ends up behind a tree root, you can’t kick it out or roll it to a nicer spot. Your options are to play it as it is or take relief with a penalty if applicable.

3. Teeing Ground Boundaries

When starting a hole, your ball must be teed up within the area defined by the two tee markers, and no more than two club-lengths behind them.

Why it matters: Teeing outside this area is considered playing from the wrong place, which can lead to penalties.

Common mistake: Some players tee the ball in front of the markers without realising. Always double-check before placing your tee.

4. Lost Ball and Out of Bounds

If your ball is lost (not found within three minutes) or out of bounds (marked by white stakes or a painted line), the standard penalty is stroke-and-distance. This means you must go back to the spot of your last shot and replay it, adding one penalty stroke.

Example: If you hit your tee shot out of bounds, you return to the tee and are now hitting your third shot. It is always advised to hit a professional ball if you are uncertain whether your ball is out of bounds or not.

Modern note: Many clubs, including The Golf Collective, use Model Local Rule E-5. This rule allows you to drop the ball near where it was lost or went out, under a two-stroke penalty, instead of walking back. It speeds up play and keeps things moving.

5. Penalty Areas

Water hazards and other marked areas are known as penalty areas, marked by either red stakes or yellow stakes.

• Red stakes: You may drop within two club-lengths, no closer to the hole, or use the back-on-the-line option.
  
• Yellow stakes: You must use the back-on-the-line option or stroke-and-distance.
  

Why it matters: Understanding your relief options avoids unnecessary penalties and confusion.

6. Order of Play and Ready Golf

In traditional match play, the player furthest from the hole always hits first. In stroke play, most competitions now encourage “ready golf”, where players hit when ready as long as it is safe to do so.

Why it matters: It speeds up the pace of play and keeps everyone moving.

Tip: Communicate with your playing partners. If you’re ready and it’s safe, go ahead. Everyone will thank you.

7. Don’t Hit the Wrong Ball

One of the easiest mistakes to avoid in competition is hitting the wrong ball. Always mark your ball with a unique symbol before your round.

Why it matters: If you play the wrong ball in stroke play, it’s a two-stroke penalty, and you must correct the mistake by playing your own ball. In match play, you lose the hole.

Example: If two players both hit into the same rough area, double-check your markings before swinging.

8. On the Green: Marking and Repairing

Once on the green, you must mark your ball before lifting it. You can clean it or realign it, but always replace it in the same spot.

You are also allowed to repair pitch marks, spike marks, or old hole plugs. However, you cannot fix natural imperfections like weeds or bare patches.

Why it matters: This protects the putting surface while still allowing fairness for everyone putting afterward.

9. Unplayable Lies

If your ball ends up in a spot where you don’t think you can hit it, like deep bushes or up against a tree, you always have the option to declare it unplayable.

Your relief options are:

• Stroke-and-distance (go back to where you last hit).
  
• Drop within two club-lengths, no closer to the hole.
  
• Drop back on a line, keeping the original spot between you and the hole.
  

Why it matters: This rule gives you flexibility. Sometimes taking a penalty drop is smarter than trying a risky recovery shot.

10. Scoring and Honesty

Golf is unique because players are responsible for their own score. In competitions, you must:

• Keep an accurate scorecard.
  
• Have it verified by a playing partner.
  
• Sign it at the end of the round.
  

Warning: Signing for a lower score than you actually made results in disqualification.

Why it matters: Golf’s foundation is honesty. Protecting the integrity of your score protects the spirit of the game.

Final Thoughts: Rules Build Confidence, Not Fear

The rules of golf can feel intimidating at first, but they exist to make the game fair and enjoyable for everyone. By understanding these ten common rules, you’ll step into any competition with confidence, knowing you can handle the basics.

Remember: competition golf isn’t about perfection, it’s about composure, fairness, and respect for the game. Learn the rules, trust them, and you’ll find that competition play is far less scary than it seems.