Golf

Golf is a precision club-and-ball sport in which competing players (golfers), using many types of clubs, attempt to hit balls into each

hole on a golf course while employing the fewest number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not require a

standardized playing area. Instead, the game is played on golf "courses", each of which features a unique design, although courses

typically consist of either nine or 18 holes. Golf is defined, in the rules of golf, as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground

into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules". Golf competition is generally played for the lowest

number of strokes by an individual, known simply as stroke play, or the lowest score on the most individual holes during a complete

round by an individual or team, known as match play.

Play of the game


Every round of golf is based on playing a number of holes in a given order. A round typically consists of 18 holes that are played in the

order determined by the course layout. On a nine-hole course, a standard round consists of two successive nine-hole rounds. Playing

a hole on the golf course consists of hitting a ball from a tee on the teeing area, called a drive on longer holes, a drive is a

long-distance shot intended to move the ball a great distance down the fairway, shorter holes can be reached with clubs shorter than

the driver. Once the ball comes to rest, the golfer strikes it again with a lay-up, an approach, or a chip, until the ball reaches the green,

where he or she then putts the ball into the hole. The goal of sinking the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible may be impeded

by hazards, such as areas of long grass called rough, bunkers, and water hazards. In most typical forms of gameplay, each player plays

his/her ball until it is holed.

Players can walk or drive in motorized carts over the course, either singly or with others, sometimes accompanied by caddies who

carry and manage the players' equipment and give them advice.

Rules and regulations


The underlying principle of the rules is fairness. As stated on the back cover of the official rule book: Play the ball as it lies, play the

course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair.

There are strict regulations regarding the amateur status of golfers. Essentially, anybody who has ever received payment or

compensation for giving instruction or played golf for money is not considered an amateur and may not participate in competitions

limited solely to amateurs. However, amateur golfers may receive expenses which comply with strict guidelines and they may accept

non-cash prizes within the limits established by the Rules of Amateur Status.

In addition to the officially printed rules, golfers also abide by a set of guidelines called golf etiquette. Etiquette guidelines cover

matters such as safety, fairness, easiness and pace of play, and a player's obligation to contribute to the care of the course. Though

there are no penalties for breach of etiquette rules, players generally follow the rules of golf etiquette in an effort to improve

everyone's playing experience.

Penalties

Penalties are incurred in certain situations. They are counted towards a player's score as if they were extra swing(s) at the ball. Strokes

are added for rules infractions, or for hitting one's ball into an unplayable situation. A lost ball or a ball hit out of bounds result in a

penalty of one stroke and distance. (Rule 27-1) A one stroke penalty is assessed if a player's equipment causes the ball to move, or the

removal of a loose impediment causes the ball to move. (Rule 18-2) If a golfer makes a stroke at the wrong ball (Rule 19-2), or hits a

fellow golfer's ball with a putt (Rule 19-5), the player incurs a two stroke penalty. Most rule infractions lead to stroke penalties, but also

can lead to disqualification. Disqualification could be from cheating, signing for a lower score, or from rules infractions that lead to

improper play

Scoring and handicapping

Par

A hole is classified by its par; the number of strokes a skilled golfer should require to complete play of the hole.For example, a skilled

golfer expects to reach the green on a par-four hole in two strokes (This would be considered a Green in Regulation or GIR): one from

the tee (the "drive") and another, second, stroke to the green (the "approach"); and then roll the ball into the hole in two putts for par. A

golf hole is either a par-three, -four or -five, rarely -six, very rarely -seven.

The key factor for classifying the par of a hole is the distance from the tee to the green. A typical par-three hole is less than 250 yards

(225 metres) in length, with a par-four hole ranging between 251 and 475 yards (225–434 metres), and a par-five hole being longer than

475 yards (435 metres). Although uncommon par-six and even par-seven holes do exist, and can stretch well over 650 yards. The

gradient of the course (uphill or downhill) can also affect the par rating. If the tee-to-green distance on a hole is predominantly

downhill, it will play shorter than its physical length and may be given a lower par rating and the opposite is true for uphill holes. Par

ratings are also affected by factors such as the placement of hazards or the shape of the green which can sometimes affect the play

of a hole such that it requires an extra stroke to avoid playing into hazards.

Eighteen hole courses may have four par-three, ten par-four, and four par-five holes, though other combinations exist and are not less

worthy than courses of par 72. Many major championships are contested on courses playing to a par of 70, 71, or 72. In some

countries, courses are classified, in addition to the course's par, with a course classification describing the play difficulty of a course

and may be used to calculate a golfer's playing handicap for that given course

Scoring

In every form of play, the goal is to play as few strokes per round as possible. A "hole in one" (or an "ace") occurs when a golfer sinks

his ball into the cup with his first stroke (a drive from the tee). Scores for each hole can be described as follows:

Numeric Term	Specific term	Definition
−4	Condor	four strokes under par
−3	Albatross	three strokes under par
−2	Eagle	two strokes under par
−1	Birdie	one stroke under par
0	Par	equal to par
+1	Bogey	one stroke over par
+2	Double Bogey	two strokes over par
+3	Triple Bogey	three strokes over par
+4	Quadruple Bogey	four strokes over par

Note: Quadruple bogey is not the highest score attainable. There is no limit to the number of strokes a golfer can take per hole.