Golf Rules and Definitions
Definitions of Golf - A thru E
Addressing the Ball
A player has “addressed the ball’’ when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his
club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.
Advice
Kwown as any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, the choice of a club
or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules or on matters of public information, such as the
position of hazards or the flag stick on the putting green, is not considered advice.
Ball in Play
A ball is “in play’’ as soon as the player has made a stroke on the teeing ground.
It remains in play until holed out, except when it is lost, out of bounds or lifted, or another ball
has been substituted whether or not such substitution is permitted; a ball so substituted becomes the ball
in play.
Bunker
A a hazard consisting of a prepared area of ground, often a hollow, from which turf or
soil has been removed
and replaced with soft sand. Grass-covered ground bordering or within a bunker is not part of the bunker.
The margin of a bunker extends vertically downwards, but not upwards. A ball is in a bunker when it lies in or
any part of it touches the bunker.
Caddie
The person who carries or handles a player’s clubs during play and otherwise assists him in accordance
with the Rules. When a caddie is employed by more than one player, he is always deemed to be the caddie of
the player whose ball is involved, and equipment carried by him is deemed to be that player’s
equipment, except when the caddie acts upon specific directions of another player, in which case he is
considered to be that other player’s caddie.
Casual Water
Any temporary accumulation of water on the course which is visible before or after the player takes his
stance and is not in a water hazard. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or
loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew and frost are
not casual water. A ball is in casual water when it lies in or any part of it touches the casual water.
Committee
The committee in charge of the competition or, if the matter does not arise in a competition, the committee
in charge of the course.
Competitor
Any player in a stroke competition. A “fellow-competitor’’is any person with whom the
competitor plays. Neither is partner of the other. In stroke play foursome and four-ball competitions, where
the context so admits, the word “competitor’’ or “fellow-competitor’’
includes his partner.
Course
The whole area within which play is permitted
Equipment
Considered to be anything used, worn or carried by or for the player except
any ball he has played at the hole being played and any small object, such as
a coin or a tee, when used to mark the position of a ball or the extent of an
area in which a ball is to be dropped. Equipment includes a golf cart, whether
or not motorized. If such a cart is shared by two or more players, the cart
and everything in it are deemed to be the equipment of the player whose ball
is involved except that, when the cart is being moved by one of the players
sharing it, the cart and everything in it are deemed to be that player’s
equipment.
