The herald., 1897-10-30


Every golfer admits that the most i'm
portant move at the last meeting of the
United States Golf association was the
adoption Of the royal and ancient rules
of ST. Andrews
For the benefit Of the many who want
to know how 10 decide vexed questions
these rules are here given. They will
also guide new golf clubs into maxim &
correct start.
They are said to be the only exact
rules for golf in existence. and many an
old golfer wears them pasted in his hat.
RULE
The game of golf is played by two or
more sides, each playing its own ball. A
side may consist of one or more persons.
RULE
The game consists in each side playing
ball from tee or elevation into
hole by successive strokes, and the hole
is won by the side holing it's ball in the
fewest strokes. except as otherwise pro-
vided for in the rules. If two sides
hole out in the same number Of strokes
the hole is halved.
RULE
The teeing ground shall be indicated
by two marks placed in line at right
angles TO the course. and the players
shall not tee in front of nor on either
side OF these marks, nor more than two
club lengths behind them. A ball played
from outside the limits Of the teeing
ground, as thus defined, may be re-
called by the opposite side. The hole
shall be four and one-quarter inches IN
diameter and at least four inches deep.
RULE4
The ball must be fairly struck at and
not pushed, scraped nor spooned, under
penalty of the loss of the hole Any
movement of the club which is intended
to strike the ball is stroke.
RULES
The game commences by each sides
playing a ball from the first teeng
ground. In a match with two or more
on a side the partners shall strike off
alternately from the tees, and shall
strike alternately during the play Of the
hole. The players who are to strike
against each other shall be named at
starting, and shall continue in the same
order during the match. The player who
shall play first on each side shall be
named by his own side. In case of fail
ure to agree it shall be settled by lot or
toss which side shall have the option
of leading.
RULES
If player shall play when his partner
should have done 80 his side shall lose
the hole, except in the case of the tee
shot. when the stroke may be recalled at
10
RULE7
The side winning a hole shall lead in
starting for the next hole, and may re-
call the opponents stroke should lie play
out of order. This privilege is called the
"honor" On startirs for a new match
the winner of the long match in the
previous round is entitled to the honor
Should the first match have been halved
the winner of the last hole gained is
entitled to the honor.
RULES
One round OF the links, generally
eighteen holes, is match unless other
wise agreed upon. The match is won
by the side which gets more holes
ahead and there remains holes to be
played, or by the side winning the last
hole when the match was all even at
the second last hole. If both sides have
won the same number it is a halved
match.
RULE
After the balls are struck from the
tee, the ball furthest from the hole to
which the parties are playing shall be
played first, except as otherwise pro-
vided for in the rules. Should the wrong
side play first the opponent may recall
the stroke before his side has played
RULE 10
Unless with the opponents consent, a
ball struck from the tee shall not be
changed, touched nor moved, before the
hole Is played out, under the penalty of
one stroke, except as otherwise provided
for in the rules.
RULE II
In playing through the green all loose
,mpediments within club length of a
ball. which is not lying in or touching a
hazard. may be removed; but loose i'm
pediments which are more than. a club
length from the ball shall not be re-
moved under penalty of one stroke.
RULE 12
Before striking at the ball the player
shall not move, bend nor break any
thing fixed or growing near the ball,
except in the act of placing his feet on
the ground for the purpose of address,
ing the ball, and in soling his club to
address the ball, under the penalty of
the loss OF the hole, except as provided
for in rule is.
RULE 13.
A ball stuck fast in wet ground or
sand may be taken out and replaced
loosely in the hole which it has made.
RULE IA
When ball lies in or touches'a hazard
the club shall not touch the ground, nor