How to learn the Rules of Golf: John Paramor explains what you need to know
John Paramor has probably forgotten more about the Rules of Golf than most of us know. In a career which spanned nearly 45 years and saw him rise to the European Tour’s chief referee, he was the familiar face in the buggy racing round the world’s biggest tournaments dispensing his considerable knowledge.
But while the Rules of Golf can become second nature to those who have spent a life immersed in them, for many of us at our clubs they remain a thing of mystery.
Whether it’s struggling to understand the technicalities or being put off by the prospect of delving into potentially hundreds of pages of text, it can be a challenge to wrap your heads around what’s required to play the game as it should be.
In our Rules of Golf explained video series, which you can find here and on YouTube, John has been breaking down common rules situations and giving you the benefit of his experience.
In this week’s From the Clubhouse podcast, we get into how to learn the Rules of Golf, making it easier to understand them, and make your game more enjoyable…
How to learn the Rules of Golf: John Paramor joins the From the Clubhouse podcast
John joined me on the NCG From the Clubhouse podcast to discuss this in more depth.
You can listen to the full episode in the player below, or search ‘The NCG Podcast’ in your preferred podcast platform.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
