Golf guide
Golf rules for beginners
New to golf? The game has a lot of vocabulary, but the idea is simple: get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as you can. This guide explains how a round works, how scoring is counted and what usually changes for young players.
The goal of golf
In golf you hit a ball from a starting area into a small hole in the ground using as few strokes as possible. Unlike most sports, you are not trying to beat an opponent's defense. You are playing against the course, and your score is simply the number of strokes you take. Fewer is better.
A full round in standard rules is 18 holes. Many young beginners play fewer holes at a time, on shorter courses or special junior tees, so ask your program what to expect.
How a single hole works
- Tee off. Every hole begins at the teeing area. The player hits the first shot, called the tee shot, from within it. The ball may be placed on a small peg called a tee.
- Play the ball as it lies. After the tee shot, you hit the ball from wherever it comes to rest. You do not move it to a better spot (except where the rules allow relief or a local rule applies), and you strike it cleanly rather than pushing or scooping it.
- Reach the green. The green is the closely mown area around the hole. Once on it, players usually use a putter to roll the ball toward the hole.
- Hole out. The hole is finished when the ball drops into the cup. Count every stroke, including any penalty strokes.
Every swing at the ball counts as a stroke, even a swing that misses it, as long as you meant to hit it. Practice swings do not count.
Par and scoring terms
Each hole has a par, which is the number of strokes an expert player is expected to need. In standard rules, holes are generally par 3, par 4 or par 5, depending on length. Your score on a hole is compared to par:
| Name | Compared to par |
|---|---|
| Albatross (double eagle) | Three strokes under par |
| Eagle | Two strokes under par |
| Birdie | One stroke under par |
| Par | Exactly the expected number |
| Bogey | One stroke over par |
| Double bogey | Two strokes over par |
A hole-in-one means the ball goes in on the tee shot. Add up the scores for every hole to get your total, and the total is often described as being a certain number over or under par for the round.
Stroke play and match play
There are two classic ways to decide who wins. For a closer look at the formats and some team games, see golf clubs, course and formats explained.
- Stroke play: every stroke over the whole round is added up, and the lowest total wins. This is the most common format in tournaments.
- Match play: two players or teams compete hole by hole. Whoever takes fewer strokes on a hole wins that hole, and a tie means the hole is halved. The player who wins more holes wins the match, and a match can end early once one side leads by more holes than remain.
Many youth events use stroke play, while casual rounds with friends often use whatever format is fun. Some programs also use team formats where players help each other, which keeps things moving and less stressful.
Penalty strokes
Sometimes a ball ends up somewhere it cannot be played easily, and the rules add a stroke to your score, usually with a way to continue play. Common situations include a ball hit out of bounds, a ball you choose to take relief from in a penalty area (often water, but not always, and sometimes the ball can be played as it lies), a ball that cannot be found, or a ball you decide is unplayable. The exact relief options have details, so a coach or playing partner can walk through them on the spot. When in doubt, beginners are often encouraged to play a provisional ball (when a ball may be lost or out of bounds, and after announcing it) or simply ask. Many youth programs also relax these rules for beginners.
Etiquette and pace of play
Golf runs on courtesy as much as rules. Players stay quiet and still while others hit, replace turf they dig up, rake bunkers smooth, and fix marks on the green. The player whose ball is farthest from the hole normally hits first. Keeping pace matters too, so be ready to hit when it is your turn.
Safety is part of etiquette. Look around before a swing, never swing when someone is close, and shout a warning if a shot is heading toward people. Read more vocabulary in golf terms for new parents, or see the golf hub page.
What is different for young players
- Shorter courses, forward tees and fewer holes are common. Distances and formats vary by program and age group, so check with yours.
- Some programs allow generous help with rules, extra tries, or relaxed scoring for beginners.
- Learning to enjoy the game and follow etiquette often matters more than the score.
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Frequently asked questions
How many holes are in a round of golf?
In standard rules a full round is 18 holes. Young beginners often play fewer holes on shorter courses, so ask your program.
What does par mean in golf?
Par is the number of strokes an expert player is expected to take on a hole. Your score is compared with it, so one under par is a birdie and one over is a bogey.
What is the difference between stroke play and match play?
In stroke play you add up every stroke and the lowest total wins. In match play you compete hole by hole and the player who wins more holes wins the match.
Does a missed swing count as a stroke?
Yes, if you meant to hit the ball, a swing and a miss counts as a stroke. Practice swings do not count.