Everyone who plays golf dreams of long drives, below-par scores, and holes-in-one. Unfortunately, not everyone succeeds. But there is an easy way for golfers to knock a dozen strokes off their handicap. No, it doesn’t require new clubs--just new rules, designed for the game mortals actually play: Bad Golf. Here at last, in one compact, illustrated guide, are 62 of the commonly accepted Mulligans, gimmes, waivers, escape clauses, and extenuating circumstances that sensible amateurs have employed for years to level the playing field just a bit with the likes of Arnold, Jack, and Tiger. It’s a must-have for every golf bag!

It was a moment seen by millions on television. During play at the 1999 Phoenix Open, Tiger Woods had a "loose impediment? removed to play his shot -- an everyday occurrence under golf's rules. But that impediment was not a leaf or twig, it was a 350-pound boulder that took six people to move! The gallery and television audience buzzed with disbelief. How could this be legal under the rules? Indeed it could, says golf legend Arnold Palmer, who throughout his distinguished career has taken part in a sizable share of rules controversies. Despite the fact that golf has fewer rules than such sports as baseball or football or rugby, it is a contest of honor, and all players, be they tour professionals or casual weekend hackers, respect the rules. But, as Palmer points out, sometimes the rules are a little confusing -- and from time to time, even the pros are puzzled. When exactly is a ball considered "lost?? How is "slow play? defined? And when is a "drop? allowed? Palmer helps makes sense of it all with simple-to-understand language and hundreds of "infamous? pictures of some of the more controversial rulings -- affording readers a visual recall of memorable moments involving Greg Norman, Lee Janzen, Mark O'Meara, John Daly, even Palmer himself. If you're one of the millions who taketo the links every year, need a clear explanation of all the rules of the game you love, and more important, don't want to be speechless when an argument over the "coefficient of restitution? pops up, then Playing By The Rules will be an invaluable guide you'll refer to time and again.

Amateur and pro golfers alike have long been stymied by the legalistic and opaque wording in the United States Golf Association’s official Rules of Golf. In this guide, an experienced volunteer USGA rules official and an expert on language and usage--both of them avid golfers--have translated the Rules into everyday English to help players understand procedures, assess penalties, and settle disputes as the sport’s governing body intended. This edition includes updates throughout to reflect changes introduced into the USGA’s Rules in 2016.

This is an account of the way that the game of golf has developed from its origins as a simple diversion for soldiers and common folk, to its present status as an international professional sport. The first list of 13 articles constituting the official rules of golf was produced by a group of Scottish gentlemen in 1774. Since then the rules have seen many changes, although the game is still largely based on the same 13 articles. In this book the author examines how these changes came about and takes the reader step-by-step through the history and rules of the game.

"The cry for the simplification of the Rules of Golf is a stock-in-trade of the journalist during the winter months. Countless words on the subject have been poured out to an ever-tolerant public, but still the long-sought simplification does not come."—Henry Longhurst, 1937 The hopes of renowned writer and golfer Henry Longhurst—and millions of golfers before and after him—have finally been realized. In The Rules of Golf in Plain English, Bryan A. Garner, American English language and usage expert, and Jeffrey S. Kuhn, volunteer USGA rules official, have translated the knotty Rules with the encouragement and permission of the United States Golf Association. The result is a modern, readable version that offers, for the first time, clear guidance to both amateurs and professionals. Based on a 338-word set of thirteen rules written in 1744, the official Rules have grown, over two and a half centuries, to 40,000 words. Numerous contributors and a complex revision process have rendered these Rules so opaque and stylistically inconsistent that a companion volume—the 600-page Decisions on the Rules of Golf—has been published to help golfers navigate them. Both lawyers and avid golfers, Kuhn and Garner recognized the difficulties that the language of the Rules of Golf created, especially in a sport that expects players to call penalties on themselves. By reworking the Rules line by line, word by word, they have produced an accessible resource that no golfer—from the duffer to the pro—should be without.

There's a social aspect to golf that's unique to the sport. It's the only sport where you're building relationships at the same time that you're trying to play your best and win—and maybe close a business deal. While the rules of golf are clearly defined, the etiquette of golf is less codified. Making the wrong move can cause annoyance, errors in play, or even injury—all things your fellow golfers won't forget. Now bestselling etiquette authority and passionate golfer Peter Post explains what seasoned golfers and newcomers need to know to handle every situation with total confidence. Based on Emily Post Institute surveys on golfers' most annoying incidents on the course, Peter addresses: How to deal with the biggest frustration in golf—slow play. What to do if you break the cardinal rule of never being late. When is a "gimme" acceptable? The difference between friendly play and tournament play. Dealing with sandbaggers and other cheats. Do's and don'ts when playing for "a little something." Peter Post's useful tips on the subtleties of the game—such as how and when to offer advice, strategies for speeding up play, and "piniquette"—will help longtime golfers be better companions on the course. New golfers unsure of the unwritten social rules of golf will find all the information they need to avoid embarrassment. Packed with true stories from golfers about best moments and worst behavioral blunders on the course—ranging from the sandbagger who cheated himself out of an eagle to a wardrobe malfunction that gave new meaning to the term "You're out"—this book is for anyone who appreciates the spirit of the game.

The most major changes in 30 years to the Rules of Golf went into effect on January 1, 2019. This Guide to the Rules of Golf gives you a clear and quick overview of the Rules of Golf and the recent changes which most commonly come into play when you need a fast answer. This book covers stroke and match play and is divided into 7 sections: Before Starting Play, Tee Area, General Area (Fairway & Rough, etc.), Relief in the General Area, Penalty Areas, Bunkers, and Greens. Some rules are repeated in several of the 7 sections for easy reference. The next several pages, "QUICK RULES SUMMARY" will answer most rule questions in seconds with more information shown in the page reference. You don't have to remember all the rules if you keep this guide handy or on your phone for fast answers to rule questions. Happy golfing! Sincerely, Team Golfwell