Easiest Way to Learn the Rules of Golf?

[Golf Grouch]

I know some beginner golfers that barely know the rules of golf.  What's the easiest way for them to learn the rules?  The official rules book is just too difficult to digest to recommend, right?

[phillyk]

1 minute ago, Golf Grouch said:

I know some beginner golfers that barely know the rules of golf.  What's the easiest way for them to learn the rules?  The official rules book is just too difficult to digest to recommend, right?

There are a lot of other books that you can get that simplify them.  Mostly, though, I'd just give him the quick run down on water hazard, lost ball, OB, GUR, and etiquette.

[Missouri Swede]

The USGA has videos, quizzes, learning platform, etc. to make leaning easier. 

http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/education.html

Edit: FREE! Can't beat that price.

Edited June 27, 2017 by Missouri Swede

[Rulesman]

http://www.ghin.com/eclubhouse/uploadedimages/News/575_9895_A Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf.pdf

http://www.randa.org/RulesEquipment/Rules/QuickGuide/Start

 

Edited June 27, 2017 by Rulesman

[No Mulligans]

I just searched the internet a bit for the book "The Principles Behind the Rules of Golf".  That would be a great place to start but it looks to be out of print.

1. Play the course as you find it.

2. Play the ball as it lies.

3. If you can't follow the first two rules, play fair.

Pretty simple, except for #3.  There is quite a lot of rules and explanation needed to deal with # 3 above.

Edited June 27, 2017 by No Mulligans

[chilepepper]

get the paper back Usga book. You will find the bulk of the book primarily concerned with the nuances of various competitions, equip rules, amateur status etc. these are important for competitions. The actual rules, how to legally go from tee to hole out, is quite short and could probably be printed on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper front and back

Edited June 27, 2017 by chilepepper

[DaveP043]

50 minutes ago, No Mulligans said:

I just searched the internet a bit for the book "The Principles Behind the Rules of Golf".  That would be a great place to start but it looks to be out of print.

Two comments:

First, you can get "The Principles...." from the USGA at

https://www.usgapublications.com/products/principles-behind-the-rules-of-golf-paperback-2016-edition?variant=25702107654

Second, although I think its a great resource, I think that to go very far beyond the little bit you quoted would just confuse a lot of people.  I felt like reading and understanding "The Principles...." required a reasonable knowledge of the rules to start with.  I think something like this:

https://www.usgapublications.com/products/a-quick-guide-to-the-rules-of-golf?variant=25702056198

might be a great thing for a beginning golfer to have with him (or her).  To me, learning the rules in a vacuum, sitting at a computer or reading on a "device",  would be difficult.  To have a very simplified reference to use on the course, as situations arise, is probably the best way to learn.  Even better is playing with knowledgeable players, who can help point out rules as the apply to specific situations.

[No Mulligans]

1 minute ago, DaveP043 said:

Two comments:

First, you can get "The Principles...." from the USGA at

https://www.usgapublications.com/products/principles-behind-the-rules-of-golf-paperback-2016-edition?variant=25702107654

Second, although I think its a great resource, I think that to go very far beyond the little bit you quoted would just confuse a lot of people.  I felt like reading and understanding "The Principles...." required a reasonable knowledge of the rules to start with.  I think something like this:

https://www.usgapublications.com/products/a-quick-guide-to-the-rules-of-golf?variant=25702056198

might be a great thing for a beginning golfer to have with him (or her).  To me, learning the rules in a vacuum, sitting at a computer or reading on a "device",  would be difficult.  To have a very simplified reference to use on the course, as situations arise, is probably the best way to learn.  Even better is playing with knowledgeable players, who can help point out rules as the apply to specific situations.

Thanks, I'm going to get that quick guide... $0.75, what a bargain, I think I'll buy 8 of them for my wife and friends