The rules of golf cover every possible scenario to ensure the game is played as fairly as possible between different players.

You can search through the the latest rules, which were updated most recently in 2019, on the R&A’s Official Rules of Golf pages.

But do you think you’re already a master of the rules of golf? Are you the one always settling arguments on the course with a definitive and assured assessment?

Put your expertise to the test by trying one of our ‘You Are The Ref’ golf rules quizzes.

Take a golf rules quiz

• Marking, replacing and dropping - Marking, lifting, replacing and dropping a ball are procedures that you will undertake multiple times during a round of golf. But are you proceeding correctly?
• Abnormal course conditions - If you have interference by an abnormal course condition, you are normally entitled to free relief (a drop without penalty away from the condition). Take our quiz to learn more about abnormal course conditions, when you are entitled to free relief, and how to take relief.
• Ball lying on an artifically surfaced path – what is the correct ruling when a player takes a drop from a path, but his feet are still on the path as he addresses his dropped ball?
• Accidentally moving the ball while searching for it – if a player is searching for their ball in leaves and accidentally moves it, what is the correct ruling?
• Testing the sand in a bunker – if a player wants to test the depth of sand in a bunker without incurring a penalty, what is the correct ruling?
• Playing from a poorly replaced divot – if turf from a poorly replaced divot is impacting a player’s swing on the fairway, what is the correct ruling?