14 golf rules you need to know about (but probably don't)

Think you know the rules of golf? Think again. Even lifelong players are often surprised to learn how many of golf’s quirks and technicalities fly under the radar. 

Golf is a game of precision, patience—and paperwork, if you’re not careful.

But knowing these lesser-known rules could save you shots, speed up your game, and keep you on the right side of the scorecard (and your playing partners).

So the next time you find yourself in a bunker full of leaves, chipping from behind someone’s ball, or eyeballing your phone for wind direction—remember: the rulebook might be on your side.

Let’s tee up 12 of the most unexpected, misunderstood, and downright useful golf rules you probably didn’t know existed.

Have a favorite obscure golf rule? Drop it in the comments below, and be sure to share it next time you're out on the course. It might just earn you a free drop—and a few new fans in your fourball.

1. Mulligan Magic—The Legal Way

We've all had that heart-sinking moment—a putt rockets past the hole, or a chip lands in the rough with a thud. 

Turns out, Rule 14.6 gives you a lifeline. 

As long as your ball isn’t out of bounds, you can take a one-stroke penalty and replay the shot from its original spot. 

Yes, even on the green. 

Think of it as the official version of a mulligan—one that could save you from carding a triple bogey.

Learn more about this rule here

2. Let stroke and distance be your saviour

Introduced in 2019 but still underused by amateurs, changes to the Stroke and Distance rule aim to make provisionals – or worse, and the dreaded reload – a thing of the past.

Effectively, the stroke and distance rule is designed to take the guesswork and gambling out of knowing whether your tee shot is in-play or not, giving you the option to take a drop in a convenient location rather than having to play a provisional or, worse, go back to the tee and hit your tee shot again. 

It effectively works thus: if you lose your ball on a shot, for a two-stroke penalty you can drop the ball no nearer to the hole in an area between the point your ball was lost (or went out of bounds) and the nearest edge of the fairway.

3. Clean Up the Bunker—Without Breaking the Rules

You step into a bunker and spot rocks, leaves, maybe a twig or two messing with your line. 

Good news: Rule 15 allows you to remove loose impediments from around your ball—as long as you don’t touch the ball or ground your club in the sand. 

It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference in tricky lies. 

Go ahead—clear the way.

4. Among the Foliage

Golf has myriad winter rules designed to take some of the sting out of playing golf in the months where conditions are at their worst. Perhaps the handiest of these is the lost ball in foliage rule. 

Up until recently, the accepted wisdom was that a ball lost amidst leaves, sticks and other bracken would, in essence, be treated like any other lost ball. Now, however, your club's committee can declare a Local Rule judging that accumulation of leaves at certain holes to be treated as ground under repair (GUR), allowing you to take relief and one club length no nearer the hole without any penalty. 

Just make sure you check in with the pro shop or your local rules committee ahead of your next round to make sure this is in play.

5. Double Hit? No Big Deal

Ever taken a swing and heard that dreaded clink—your club accidentally striking the ball twice in one motion? 

It used to mean a two-stroke penalty. 

But under Rule 10.1, it’s just one stroke. 

As long as the second contact is unintentional, there’s no extra punishment. 

Your scorecard will thank you.

6. Bag It, Don’t Blame It

Ever flushed an iron straight into your own golf bag. We've all had that indignity at some stage in our early golfing lies.

It's a frustrating occurrence, sure—but no longer penalising. 

Under modern rules, hitting your own equipment (or even yourself) carries no penalty. 

Just play the ball as it lies and carry on. Just remember to stash your clubs behind the ball in future.

7. Flagstick Freedom

Remember when you’d get penalised if your ball hit the flagstick while putting? 

Not anymore. 

Rule 13.2a says you can now leave the flag in the hole—and it might just help you, especially on fast greens or slippery downhill putts, the flag can act as a backstop, catching a ball that might otherwise lip out. 

Long putt? Short putt? Leave it in and aim true.

A number of the world's best PGA Tour players often putt with the flagstick in, such as England's Matt Fitzpatrick.

8. Green Etiquette—Watch Where You Hit

You’re just off the green and chip toward the hole—but your partner forgot to mark their ball. 

If your ball hits theirs and you were off the green, no penalty. 

But if both balls are on the green before you hit, and you strike theirs, you’re looking at a two-stroke penalty. 

Moral of the story? Always ask your partner to mark up.

9. A Ball in a Pocket Isn’t Lost

One of the weirdest (but real) rules: if your ball lands in someone’s pocket, jacket, or even a drink cup—no penalty. 

According to Rule 17, you get a free drop from the spot where the person (or object) was when the ball went in.

No advancement toward the hole, but no strokes lost either. 

Cheers to that.

10. Don't Bottle It

For those of us who endeavour to stay hydrated throughout a round of golf, what you might not know is that the simple act of taking a drink at the wrong time could, in certain circumstances, cost you big time.

What we're rather cryptically talking about is a little-known, rather bizarre rule that governs the use of water bottles on the putting green. More specifically it governs the act of putting your bottle down on said green, which according to the rules is an action that could constitute a two-stroke penalty.

Why? Because theoretically, water in a clear bottle could be used as a makeshift level, giving you a more accurate read of the lie of the green than what's allowed.

All in all, it's one of golf's many odd quirks that's well worth bearing in mind should you ever head out in competition play on a particularly hot day. And it's safe to say we'll be leaving our bottles firmly on the fringe just in case.

11. Golf's Fruitiest Rule

A golf rule so ridiculous that it serves as a poignant reminder of just how close to parody this whacky old sport comes sometimes, but it is indeed true. If, somehow, your ball becomes wedged in a piece of fruit after a shot, it has to be played as it lies. Don't blame us. We didn't make it up.

12. Phones Are Fair Game—Sort Of

Most golfers use apps for GPS distances and course layouts. 

That’s totally fine. 

But switch over to your weather app mid-round to check wind speed or direction? 

That’s a big no-no in competitive play, and could lead to disqualification. 

Keep it simple: toss a little grass in the air to judge the breeze—no WiFi required.

13. Unplayable Lies Aren’t Just for Trees

Fairway bunkers with steep lips. Divots in the middle of the short grass. Not all unplayable lies are hidden in the woods. 

Rule 19 says you can declare your ball unplayable anywhere on the course. 

Take a one-shot penalty, drop within a club length (no closer to the hole), and give yourself a better shot. 

Sometimes, a smarter choice beats a heroic one.

14. Standing Out of Bounds? That’s Okay

Here’s a classic misconception: if you’re standing out of bounds, surely your ball must be too. 

Not necessarily.

If your ball is still in bounds, you’re allowed to take your stance outside the boundary and play on—no penalty. 

Only when the ball is over the line does it count as out. 

It’s one of those rules that can save a stroke or two when it matters most.