Junior Golf

Commonly Used Rules

What it means: You can’t move the ball, press grass down, break branches, or create a better stance/swing area.
How to apply it

  • Find your ball.

  • Take your stance without “building a platform.”

  • If something is in the way, you usually must play around it unless a specific rule gives free relief.

What it means: If your ball at rest moves because you moved it (or you caused it), you normally replace it and take a penalty (often 1 stroke), unless an exception applies (e.g., on the putting green in some cases).
How to apply it

  • Mark the spot (or remember it).

  • Replace the ball on that exact spot.

  • Add the penalty if required.

What it means: If you lose it or it’s OB, you must play another ball from where you last played (and add 1 penalty stroke).
How to apply it

  • If in doubt, play a provisional ball before you walk forward.

  • If original is lost/OB: go back, replay the shot + 1 penalty.

What it means: If your ball is in a terrible spot (bushes, against a tree), you can declare it unplayable anywhere except a penalty area. Penalty: 1 stroke.
How to apply it (choose 1 option)

  • Stroke and distance: replay from previous spot.

  • Back-on-the-line: keep the spot where ball lies between you and the hole, drop back on that line.

  • Lateral relief (2 club-lengths): drop within 2 club lengths, not nearer the hole.

What it means: You can play it as it lies, or take relief with a penalty.
How to apply it

  • Decide if you can safely play it. If yes, play on.

  • If not, take 1-stroke penalty and use:

    • Back-on-the-line relief (red or yellow)

    • Lateral relief (2 club-lengths) (red only)

    • Or stroke and distance (always allowed)

What it means: In a bunker you can’t rest your club on the sand right behind/in front of the ball before the stroke.
How to apply it

  • Take your stance carefully.

  • Hover the club; don’t “test” the sand.

  • If you need relief from a bunker (unplayable): normally 1-stroke and drop in bunker; or 2-stroke to drop outside (back-on-the-line).

What it means: You may remove loose natural objects (leaves, stones) without penalty—but if the ball moves, there’s usually a penalty (exception on putting green).
How to apply it

  • If it’s loose and not attached: you can move it.

  • Be careful—if the ball moves, replace it and apply penalty if required.

What it means: If your ball is on/against a cart path or it interferes with stance or swing, you normally get free relief.
How to apply it

  • Find the nearest point of complete relief (not nearer the hole).

  • Drop within 1 club length of that point.

  • Ball must come to rest in the relief area.

What it means: If your ball is in GUR, casual water, animal holes, you usually get free relief.
How to apply it

  • Identify the condition (often marked/obvious).

  • Nearest point of complete relief (not nearer hole).

  • Drop within 1 club length.

What it means: If your ball ends up on a different putting green, you cannot play it from there.
How to apply it

  • Find nearest point of complete relief off that green (not nearer hole).

  • Drop within 1 club length.

What it means: On the green you can mark and lift your ball, repair damage, and you should avoid stepping on someone’s putting line.
How to apply it

  • Mark with a coin/marker behind the ball.

  • Lift/clean if needed.

  • Replace exactly where it was.

What it means: Traditionally, “furthest from the hole plays first,” but most casual and many junior events use ready golf to keep pace.
How to apply it

  • If it’s safe, whoever is ready can play.

  • Always keep quiet and still when someone is hitting.

What it means: You have 3 minutes to find your ball.
How to apply it

  • Start timing when you begin searching.

  • If not found in time: it’s lost → stroke and distance.

What it means: If your ball is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the general area, you typically get free relief.
How to apply it

  • Confirm it’s embedded (not just sitting down).

  • Mark the spot.

  • Drop within 1 club length, not nearer hole.

How to apply it

  • Drop from knee height.

  • Ball must land and stay in the relief area you’re entitled to.

  • If it rolls out of the relief area, re-drop (then place if needed after required attempts).

What it means: If your ball is in (or your stance/swing is affected by) an animal hole made by a burrowing animal (like rabbits), you normally get free relief under “Abnormal Course Conditions.”

How to apply it (free relief)

  1. Confirm it’s an animal hole/scrape (a hole, tunnel, or scrape made by a burrowing animal).

  2. Find the nearest point of complete relief (where the scrape no longer interferes with your lie, stance, or swing) not nearer the hole.

  3. Drop within 1 club length of that nearest point, not nearer the hole, and in the same area of the course (general area stays general area).

  4. The ball must come to rest in the relief area.

On the putting green

  • If the animal scrape affects your ball or line on the green, you normally place the ball at the nearest point of complete relief (not nearer the hole), rather than dropping.

Important notes

  • You don’t get free relief if the scrape only affects your line of play (except when you’re on the putting green).

  • If the ball is in a penalty area, there’s no free relief for animal scrapes—you’d need to play it as it lies or take penalty-area relief.