Golf rules and terms from A to Z
Golf, explained.
From birdie to penalty area: every term explained in brief. Rules terms come with the rule number and, where there is one, the matching video.
Most looked up
See all terms- Provisional ballRule 18.3A second ball in case the first one is lost or out of bounds. You must announce it.
- Penalty areaRule 17An area marked red or yellow, usually water. Called a water hazard before 2019.
- Lost ballDefinitionNot found within three minutes. Before 2019 it was five.
- Relief areaRule 14.3The area where you must drop the ball when taking relief, and from which you must play it.
- Club-lengthDefinitionThe length of your longest club other than your putter. You use it to measure the relief area.
- Loose impedimentsRule 15.1Stones, leaves, twigs. You may remove them almost anywhere without penalty, since 2019 also in bunkers.
Rules on video
All videosRules quiz · Question of the day
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Four levels from easy to expert, ten questions per round, and the matching lexicon entry for every one.
Go to the rules quizYour second shot ends up in a dense bush, and you decide the ball is unplayable. Neither back-on-the-line nor lateral relief gives you a usable spot. May you go back to the teeing area for one penalty stroke?