Rules in laymans terms?

[mdbuschsr]

Is there a resource that reliably translates the USGA rules legalese into layman's terms correctly. I would like to be able to follow the rules to the best of my ability, but frankly I don't want to take the time to read, and reread the rules 5 million times to make sure I am following the rules. Given the number of bashing threads that I have read I am reticent to post my stupid questions for the sake of clarity and understanding.

[zeg]

It really doesn't take that long to read the rules, you could probably get through all of them in half an hour or less. I don't think there's a good substitute for this, as it's hard to really understand them without getting into the "legalese."

I recommend Tom Watson's annotated rule book. It's a few years out of date now, but very few rules have changed substantially. It really is the full rules, but it includes extra information on important ones, including stories about how they've come up in play, and explanations for the logic behind some. It's a bit less dry than the rules on their own.

The other thing I'd recommend is reading both the rules and the decisions. Some of the decisions are really fascinating when you realize some of the situations that have come up in play. Perhaps it doesn't rise to best seller reading material, but I think it's fun to browse them from time to time.

[Shindig]

Watson's book, as zeg suggests, is a great reference. Another good one is Arnold Palmer's "Playing by the Rules."

Watson's book explains the rules and, if I remember correctly, justification for them -- why a lost ball isn't a free drop, for example. Palmer's book is more about when the rules come up in different situations, typically in professional tournaments.

[jamo]

I've heard that "Golf Rules Illustrated" is a pretty good rule book.

[sam004]

Here's a couple links on Amazon

Playing by the Rules:
All the Rules of the Game, Complete with Memorable Rulings From Golf's Rich History

http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Rules-.../dp/0743446089

The RULES OF GOLF - THROUGH 1999

http://www.amazon.com/RULES-GOLF-THR.../dp/0671003143

[brgolf]

Decisions on the Rules of Golf

[brgolf]

You can buy the book but here, I have found it online.

http://www.randa.org/en/Rules%20and%...f.aspx#/rules/

It is the decisions part that gives the best information.