Rules · Tip
Rule 1: Play It as It Lies and Play Fair
Part of our rules programs. Build a program with it
Rule 1 sets the basics. Take the course as it comes, and the ball where it stops. Follow the rules and call your own penalties. Playing in the spirit of the game means being honest. It means thinking of others, too. Play at a good pace. Watch out for people's safety. Don't distract anyone. And take care of the course. Fix divots, rake bunkers and repair ball marks. Serious misconduct can get you disqualified.
Step by step
- Play it as it lies.
- Call your own penalties.
- Keep a good pace.
- Warn others if your ball might hit them.
- Fix divots, rake bunkers, repair marks.
Why it works
Golf is played in open conditions, so the ball can stop in a good spot or a poor one. Accepting that without moving the ball keeps the game the same for every player. The game has no referee on most shots, so it depends on you reporting your own penalties. Care for the course and for other players keeps it playable and safe for the groups behind you.
Common mistakes
- Nudging the ball to a better lie when no one is looking.Leave the ball where it stopped and play it, or use a relief option the rules allow.
- Staying quiet about a penalty you know you caused.Add the penalty stroke to your score and tell your playing partners.
- Walking off without fixing your divot, bunker marks or ball mark.Replace the divot or fill it with sand mix, rake the bunker smooth, and repair the ball mark before you leave the area.
How you'll know it's working
- You play every shot from where the ball stopped, unless a rule gives you relief.
- Your scorecard includes every penalty you caused, and you reported it without being asked.
- Your group keeps pace with the group ahead, and the greens and bunkers you leave look tidy.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Play a few holes alone or with a friend and focus on just one habit at a time, such as raking the bunker.
Harder: Play a full round where you track your own penalties and your pace, and shout a warning early whenever a shot might reach another group.
Common questions
What does play it as it lies mean in golf?
It means you play the ball from the spot where it stopped, without improving the lie, the area around it or your swing path. You may only move it when a rule allows relief.
Do I have to call a penalty on myself if nobody saw it?
Yes. The rules expect you to apply penalties to yourself, even when nobody else noticed the breach.
