RULES
Golf is a game in which a ball is struck with a club from a prepared area, known as the ‘teeing ground’, across fairway and rough to a second prepared area, which has a hole in it, known as the ‘putting green’.

The object of the game is to complete what is known as a hole by playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole on the putting green in the fewest possible number of strokes. A ‘round of golf’ consists of playing 18 such holes.

There are basically two forms of play, one which is decided by holes won and lost (match play) and the other which is decided by the total number of strokes taken to complete the round (stroke play).

There are three important principles to remember when playing golf:

• Play the course as you find it
• Play the ball as it lies
• And if you can't do either, do what's fair

Procedure for Rules Queries

If a club member has a rules query, they should:

1) search for the answer in the Rules of Golf Book
2) if they are unable to find the answer, seek advice from their relevant Club Committee.

If the Club then requires clarification on a rules query, they can contact Golf SA.

Golf SA requests that all rules queries be emailed to Golf SA Competition Manager – leah@golfsa.com.au

Members of the Golf SA Rules Committee will then be forwarded the query and a response will be provided to the club as soon as practical.
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Rules Accreditation new format

With the announcement that the Rules of Golf will change from the 1st January 2019, Golf SA has decided to prepare for an intensive education process around the new Rules of Golf beginning in early 2018.

As a result of this historic change, Golf SA will not be conducting any further Rules Accreditation exams for the current Rules of Golf.  Throughout 2018, rules information sessions will be conducted to raise awareness of the new rules with players and officials alike.  There will be information available on the Golf SA website from early in 2018 informing interested people when and where seminars will be conducted.

 Level 2 – Exam is the highest level Rules Accreditation administered by the States.

Level 3 – Tournament Administration and Referees School is administered by the R&A in conjunction with GolfAustralia and the State Association.  The Tournament Administration and Referees School is held over a few days, and attendance is by invitation.

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R&A LEVEL 1 Rules Seminar conducted by Golf SA in 2017

The seminars are suitable for golfers with a desire to become better informed about the Rules for their personal golfing benefit. No knowledge of the Rules or a basic understanding is required.

A successful Level 1 participant (i.e. someone who passes the Level 1 online exam) is regarded by the R&A to be a reasonably well-informed golfer who would be able to proceed correctly in the majority of common situations encountered whilst playing the game.

R&A LEVEL 1 Rules Seminar conducted by Golf SA

Seminar Date: Tuesday 31 Oct 2017
Time: 6pm-8pm
Venue: Golf SA Boardroom (North Adelaide Golf Course)

> For further details click here

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List of (SA) Accredited State & National Level Rules Officials – CLICK HERE

List of (SA) Accredited Club Level Rules Officials – CLICK HERE

*The Accredited Club Level persons listed, have gained accreditation from Jan 2013.

Those holding accreditation prior to 2013 will need to attend a R&A Level 1 Rules Seminar in order to regain accreditation and be re-added to the list.

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Golf Australia Rules Newsletters

Golf Australia Winter 2017 Newsletter Click here to download

Golf Australia Autumn 2017 Newsletter Click here to download

Golf Australia Summer 2017 Newsletter Click here to download

Golf Australia Spring 2016 Newletter Click here to download

Golf Australia Winter 2016 Newletter Click here to download

Golf Australia Autumn 2016 Newsletter Click here to download

Golf Australia Summer 2016 Newsletter Click here to download

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Rules & Other Resources

Golf Australia Website for Rules of Golf & Competition Management Resources

Golf SA has the following resources available to Clubs and individual golfers:

• R&A Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status 2016 – 2019
• R&A A Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf 2016 – 2019
• R&A Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2016 – 2019
• R&A Golf Rules Illustrated 2016 – 2019 – please order via R&A or Amazon
• R&A Golf Rules in Action (DVD)
• Conditions of Competition & Local Rules for Golf Australia Amateur Championships