Q. I can’t find my ball after searching for three minutes – what are my options? A. If you can’t find your ball within three minutes, it is lost. Because it is lost, you must return to the spot of ...

Purpose of Rule: Rule 6 covers how to play a hole – such as the specific Rules for teeing off to start a hole, the requirement to use the same ball for an entire hole except when substitution is ...

Learn more about the leadership of the United States Golf Association, as well as the USGA's non-profit mission, vision statement, and our annual awards, given to individuals who impact golf at the ...

Since its founding in 1920, the Green Section has led the USGA’s efforts to improve golf course playing conditions and sustainability through research, education, course consulting, technology tools ...

New additions will normally be updated on a quarterly basis each January, April, July, and October and the next quarterly update will be in early October 2026. Note: The revised version of MLR M-4 ...

The calculated Playing Handicap is rounded to the nearest whole number, with .5 rounded upwards.

Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, typically fill voids in putting green turf created by other issues. Blue-green algae form mats that inhibit water movement and gas exchange through ...

This USGA Green Section Collection contains articles, videos and infographics related to the care and maintenance of bunkers. These materials will help superintendents provide the best possible bunker ...

When a player posts a 9-hole score played on a rated nine, a 9-hole Score Differential will be calculated for the 9 holes played, and that value will be combined with an expected score based on the ...

Learn more about the 2023 updates to the Rules of Golf below. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to the Rules Department any time at rules@usga.org or 908-326-1850.