1. The game of golf is played by two persons, or by four (two of a side playing alternately). It may also be played by three or more persons, each playing his own ball.

The game commences by each side playing off a ball from the starting-point called the 'teeing-ground.' In a match of four, those who are to play off and 'strike against' each other shall be named at starting.

The reckoning of the strokes is kept by the terms 'odds,' 'like,' 'two more,' 'one off two,' etc., and the hole is won by the player holing in the fewest strokes.

The party gaining the hole ' has the honour,' i.e. leads off for the next hole, and may recall his opponent's stroke should he play out of order. On starting for a second match the winner of the previous match ' has the honour.' On starting for a second round the winner of the ' long match' in the previous round is entitled to the ' honour.' Should the first round have been halved, the winner of the last hole ' has the honour.'

No player may play his tee ball until the party in front have played their second strokes.

In match play, after the balls have been struck off, the ball furthest from the hole to which the parties are playing must be played first, or the opponent may recall the stroke.

In a three-ball match, should a ball in any degree interpose on the putting-green between the player's ball and the hole, it must be played first.

One round of the links is reckoned a match, unless otherwise stipulated.

If in a double match a player play out of his turn his side loses the hole.

Place Of Teeing

2. The ball must be teed within the limits of the ground marked out for the purpose, and not more than two club-lengths behind the front line. In match play the penalty for the infringement of this rule shall he the recall of the stroke at the option of the opponent. In medal play the stroke must be recalled, the penalty being the loss of the stroke.

A Stroke

3. The ball must be fairly struck, and not 'pushed,' 'scraped,' or 'spooned,' and any movement of the club, made with the intention of striking at the ball, must be considered a stroke.

Club Breaking

4. If, in striking, the club break, it is a stroke, if the part of the club remaining in the player's hand either strike the ground, touch the ball, or pass it. Should the club, in striking, catch in anything, such as a whin-branch or portion of paling, and break, it must be considered a stroke, even if the part remaining in the player's hand do not strike the ground, touch the ball, or pass it.

Against Changing Ball

5. A ball struck off from the tee must not be changed, touched, or moved before the hole is played out, except in striking, and the cases specially provided for in the Rules. If the players arc at a loss to know the one ball from the other, neither shall be lifted without the consent of both parties.

Balls 'Within Six Inches

6. Whenever the balls lie within six inches of each other (the six inches to be measured from the inner surfaces), the ball nearest the hole must be lifted till the other has been played, and then replaced as nearly as possible in its original position.

Ball In Water

7. If the ball lie in casual water on the course, the player may take it out, change the ball if he please, tee it, and play from behind the hazard, losing a stroke.

If the ball be in water in a hazard, or the water itself be a recognised hazard, it may be lifted and dropped behind the hazard, under the same penalty.

If the ball be seen to enter water from which it cannot be recovered, the penalty shall be the same as if recovered.

Dropping Ball

8. In all cases where a ball is to be dropped, the player shall front the hole to which he is playing, stand erect behind the hazard, and drop the ball behind him from his head, the spot at which the ball was found being kept between him and the hole.

Ball Lost

9. If the ball be lost, the player returns to the spot, as nearly as possible, from which the ball was struck, tees another ball, and loses a stroke.

If the ball be found before the party has struck the other ball, the first shall continue to be played.

Whenever the second ball is struck the first ball is out of play.

A player may not delay more than five minutes searching for a lost ball.

Ball Splitting

10. If a ball split into two or more pieces, a fresh ball may be put down where the largest portion of the ball was found; and if a ball be cracked the player may change it on intimating his intention of doing so to his opponent.

Bad-Lying Ball

11. No whins, bushes, ferns, rushes, grass, or moss shall be broken, bent, or trodden on, or adjusted in any way to enable the player to obtain a clearer view of his ball, or better swing, before playing; nor is it allowable to press down any irregularities of surface to improve the lie of the ball.

If the ball lie on sand, no impression may be made with the club, or otherwise, before striking.

Liftable Ball

12. In match or medal play, a ball may, under a penalty of two strokes, be lifted out of a difficulty of any description, and teed behind the hazard, the spot at which the ball was found being kept between the player and the hole. The hazard, in the case of whins or bushes, may be considered as the entire group.

When the ball lies on clothes, or in any of the holes made for golfing, flag-holes, rabbit-scrapes, or on ground under repair by the conservator of the course, it may be lifted, dropped behind the hazard, and played without a penalty. Should such a lie occur in a recognised hazard, the penalty for lifting shall be as in the previous paragraph.

Liftable Impediments

13. All loose impediments, within a club-length of the ball when it lies on grass, either on or off the course, may be removed previous to playing, provided always that nothing be removed which would cause the ball to move out of its place.