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There are two basic principles to always remember about golf:
1. Play the ball as it lies
2. Play the course as you find it

Here are a few other basic rules you should understand to get started in golf. As you learn more about golfing, you will learn more about special situations and the rules that apply to them:Attending the Flag stick - Before and during a stroke the player may have the flag stick attended, removed or held to indicate the position of the hole. If your ball strikes the flag stick which is still in the hole when you are putting, you incur a penalty of loss of hole in matchplay or two strokes in stroke play.

Ball in Motion - If a player’s ball in motion, after the stroke, is deflected or stopped by a ball at rest, the player shall play the ball as it lies.

Ball in Water Hazard - When your ball lands in a water hazard or lateral water hazard you may hit the ball if you can without grounding your club, or drop a ball and add one penalty stroke to your score (in in one, out in two, hit in three) – a) drop any distance behind the water hazard keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard and spot on which the ball is dropped, or b) play again from where you hit the ball into the hazard.

Ball in Lateral Water Hazard - In addition to the above options, under penalty of one stroke, drop within two club lengths of a) the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard or b) a point on the opposite side of the hazard equidistant from the hole.

Ball lost Out of Bounds; Provisional - If the ball is lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, another ball must be played from where the last ball was played under penalty of one stroke.

Casual water, GUR and abnormal ground conditions - If your ball is in casual water, ground under repair, a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal (eg rabbit), you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.

Cleaning the Ball - A ball on the putting green can be cleaned when lifted.

Obstructions - You may move any movable obstruction (artificial or man-made object). If your ball moves replace it without penalty. You may drop the ball away from an immovable obstruction (sprinkler head, car path etc) if it interferes with your swing or stance, or the ball, without penalty. Find your nearest relief not nearer the hole and drop your ball within one club length. Always mark you ball before picking it up. No penalty.

Playing through - If a group is playing faster behind you, let them through. To do this hit your next shot if possible, then move to a safe place in the rough and wave the group behind you through. Walk up the fairway with them so you are ready to play your shot when they are out of the way.

Playing the ball as it lies - The rules generally do not permit you to improve the position of your ball and you may not bend or break anything growing or fixed except in taking a fair swing. You are not allowed to press anything down but you can remove loose natural impediments such as stones, twigs or fallen leaves for no penalty, except in a hazard. In a bunker or water hazard, you are not allowed to ground your club before you hit the ball.

Provisional Ball - If after playing a shot you think the ball may be out of bounds or lost, you may play a provisional ball. You must state it is a provisional ball before it is played. If the original ball is lost you must continue with the provisional ball under penalty of one stroke. If the ball is found you must continue to play with it and the provisional ball must be abandoned.

Taking a drop - There are some instances under the rules of golf, where you can pick up the ball and relocate it – sometimes with a penalty and sometimes free. To drop the ball, you must stand upright, hold the ball at shoulder height and arms length and simply drop it. If you drop it and it accidentally touches you, your partner or equipment and rolls closer to the hole, you must drop the ball again, without penalty.

WIND

• Any crosswind over 10 miles an hour is likely to alter a shot’s performance, particularly high, soft shots. In a strong wind, the smart strategy is to punch a three-quarter 7-iron rather than try to loft a 9-iron or wedge to the green.  Aim directly at your target; regardless of the wind’s strength the ball will end up near the target.

• A headwind calls for a low tee shot. Two small setup adjustments make it easy. First, tee the ball about a half-inch lower than normal. This reduces the chance that you’ll make contact high on the face, which tends to produce more loft, particularly with today’s oversize drivers. 

• Teeing off with a tailwind would seem to be ideal: The ball will stay in the air longer for more distance. But a following wind will bring the ball down on a shallower angle than normal, so it will come in “hot” and roll more than usual.

RAIN

• With the right technique, wet sand promotes backspin for shots that stop on a dime.  Skim the sand!  As the club head reaches hip height, let your wrists hinge. Visualize a long, shallow divot and the club striking the sand about three inches behind the ball. To maximize backspin, keep the club head accelerating to a full finish.    

• You’ve found the short grass but the ground is saturated. Soggy turf is less stable than firm ground, so it can cause you to lose your balance and make fat contact. So approach rain-soaked lies as you would fairway sand: Start with the ball in the middle of your stance and your weight evenly distributed. As you swing back and through, minimize lower-body movement. You’ll keep your balance and return the club head to the ball for solid contact.

• The results of fat contact are worse when the turf is wet. Catching the grass just a hair behind the ball on a rainy day will result in a “splat” and a shot that goes almost nowhere.  Err on the side of thin contact!

TEMPERATURE

• It is very important that you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; Tour pros drink a small cup of water at every tee on a hot day.

• Warmth is a priority on a cold day, but an unrestricted swing is key to playing well. Thin layers instead of bulky clothing let you swing freely. A combination of long underwear, a turtleneck, a thin sweater and an outer shell will keep you warm without sacrificing mobility.