Struggling to get a grip of the rules? Check out the R&A’s new beginner’s video guide
The governing body have released a new Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf video aiming to help players become familiar with the basics
Have you ever found yourself befuddled when trying to learn the Rules of Golf? Is the prospect of scanning through a 200-page book enough to give you a headache? Well, the game’s governing body are coming to the rescue.
The R&A have released a new ‘Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf video‘ that’s designed to assist beginner golfers get to grips with the basic laws of the game.
With the help of golf commentators Iona Stephen and Kit Alexander, the video looks at 16 key themes that every golfer should know.
That includes what to do before you start a round, how to identify the various areas of the course, and how to proceed when you can’t play the ball as it lies.
The aim is to provide the essential information golfers need to get round the course and the video assumes the viewer has very little knowledge of the game or the rules.
Combining that video with diagrams, and verbal explanations, it also features short animations as well as footage from The Open and the AIG Women’s Open to explain key concepts.
And while it’s designed to assist players transitioning from a learner golfer to obtaining a handicap, there are still plenty of nuggets to help the more experienced player too.
Grant Moir, the R&A’s executive director of governance, said: “We want golfers at all levels to feel confident in playing by the Rules, particularly those who are new to the game.
“The Quick Guide video has been developed to provide easy-to-watch explanations of the most common situations golfers face on the course and to make the game more appealing and inclusive by showing that the basic Rules are actually very straightforward.”
The new Quick Guide is the latest initiative from the R&A to help golfers learn and understand the Rules of Golf. It follows the changes that came into effect in January and the newly revamped R&A Rules App, which provides more visual aids, diagrams and videos to explain the rules.
Will this new video help you learn the rules and assist you on the golf course? Do you struggle with club lengths, the knee height drop, or whether you can repair spike marks on the green? Let me know with a tweet.
Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s Level 3 rules exam with distinction, I’ll try to help by featuring the best in this column.
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.
