Australian Golf Digest
Results for "rules"
Rules of Golf Review: There’s a 50-50 chance my ball is in a penalty area or down a drain. Can I get free relief?
There is a phrase in the Rules of Golf that is important to remember and apply when you can’t see where your ball came to rest—it’s “known or virtually certain.” The phrase is the benchmark that must be met to proceed as if you know where your ball is, even when you might not. A Read more…
Rules Review: Before taking a drop, can you ‘clean up’ the area of loose impediments to ensure a better lie?
The answer comes down to whether you are replacing, dropping or placing the ball.
Best of 2025: Our most-read rules-related articles
From key rulings to common misconceptions and on-course scenarios, these were the rules-related articles golfers read most in 2025.From key rulings to common misconceptions and on-course scenarios, these were the rules-related articles golfers read most in 2025.
Wrong balls, rangefinder woes and bird poop: The most outrageous rules issues of 2025
Here’s a look back over the past 12 months on nearly two dozen rules incidents that got our attention.
Rules Review: Can you probe a bunker to see what’s really underneath your ball?
The thing to remember when you’re in a bunker is you can’t do anything that can be construed as improving your lie or testing the conditions. If you’re not sure what that means, Rule 12.2 covers when touching the sand does or does not result in a penalty.
Rules of Golf Review: I shot an 84 but it posted like I shot an 81. What gives?
You left the golf course with an 84 and when you woke up the next day, the Golf Handicap Information Network (GHIN) treated it like an 81. How is that possible? When the World Handicap System was introduced in 2020, you might have missed in the fine print that your score for any given round Read more…
Rules of Golf Review: Your drive hits a tee marker and lands behind you. Can you re-tee?
You’ve probably seen video replays of pro golfers smashing tee markers after hitting poor shots. Brooks Koepka’s assault on one at the LIV Golf Dallas tournament in late June comes to mind. So does Rory McIlroy’s treatment of one during the U.S. Open at Oakmont. What doesn’t happen as often (though it certainly does happen!) Read more…
Stupid Golf Problems: Am I an a** for enforcing the rules?
It’s hard to pick any one line as my favorite in the 1998 cult classic “The Big Lebowksi,” because there are far too many to choose from, but I think I most enjoy the moment when John Goodman’s character Walter Sobchak sees a man named Smokey go “over the line” while rolling an eight in Read more…
Rules Review: In foursomes competitions, who plays the provisional ball, me or my partner?
It’s important to know that foursomes is covered in the Rules of Golf.
Rules of Golf Review: The ball moved! Or did it? Understanding the real definition
In a rare hot-mic moment on the PGA Tour, we got to watch and listen as Justin Thomas tried to avoid a penalty for accidentally moving his ball in a waste area during the third round of the RBC Heritage in April. He eventually won, but only after getting a one-stroke penatly for telling a Read more…
Rules Review: We agreed on a ruling in our match but found out we handled it wrong. What happens now?
You can’t ignore the rules in a match, but what if you don’t know a rule and proceed incorrectly?
Rules Review: The group ahead left the flagstick lying on the green. Do I have to replace it before hitting my approach shot?
One of golf’s principles is to play the course as it’s found. This includes where golfers in the group before you left the flagstick.
Rules of Golf Review: Is pushing down the top of a sprinkler head on your line a penalty?
There are things you can do to make your next shot easier as found in the Rules of Golf, but there are a lot of things you can’t do. Rule 8.1 covers actions players can’t do to because they would improve conditions affecting the stroke. You probably know a lot of them even if you’ve Read more…
Rules Review: Another golfer found my ball and propped it up in the rough. Can I play it like that?
Can you play it as it lies? After all, you had nothing to do with the action. Several Rules of Golf come into play on this one.
NCAA champ given two-shot penalty in PGA Tour event for rules gaffe
Fans at the Sanderson Farms Championship had to be excited to see reigning NCAA champion Michael La Sasso near the top of the leaderboard during the opening round at the Country Club of Jackson. The 21-year-old Ole Miss senior had been given a sponsor’s exemption to play in the PGA Tour event roughly 160 miles Read more…
Rules Review: When does ‘tidying’ a bunker turn into improving your line of play?
Where the Rules of Golf can be a little unclear concerns actions taken in a bunker that some might consider testing the surface or improving the conditions affecting the stroke. Let’s review what is and isn’t a penalty.
Australian rules of handicapping updated with the launch of Golf Australia’s new digital platform
The updates taking effect from October 2, enabled by Golf Australia’s new digital platform and advanced scoring technology, will deliver fairer, more consistent and globally aligned handicaps for all Australian golfers.
Rules: Water, Water Everywhere
…and not a place to drop. Here’s what to do when you encounter temporary water
