First Common Mistake – Golfers will often ask a player in his group “What club did you just hit?” before going ahead and hitting their own shot. That’s a loss of hole penalty in match play and two strokes in stroke play.

Second Common Mistake – When pointing out a target for a putt, golfers will sometimes touch the putting green with their putter or the flagstick and say “Hit it right here.” This is also a loss of hole in match play or a two stroke penalty in stroke play to the person doing the putting.

New for 2006 - Any player may ask another player how far their ball lies from the hole. Also, when the Local Rule allowing rangefinders is in effect, any player can “shoot” a yardage for another player and share that information.

Rule 8. Advice; Indicating Line of Play

8-1 Advice
During a stipulated round, a player must not:
(a) give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner, or (b) ask for advice from anyone other than his partner or either of their caddies.

8-2 Indicating Line of Play
a. Other Than on Putting Green
Except on the putting green, a player may have the line of play indicated to him by anyone, but no one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made. Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate the line must be removed before the stroke is made.
Exception: Flagstick attended or held up — see Rule 17-1.

b. On the Putting Green
When the player’s ball is on the putting green, the player, his partner or either of their caddies may, before but not during the stroke, point out a line for putting, but in so doing the putting green must not be touched. A mark must not be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting.
Penalty for Breach of Rule:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.

Note: The Committee may, in the conditions of a team competition (Rule 33-1), permit each team to appoint one person who may give advice (including pointing out a line for putting) to members of that team. The Committee may establish conditions relating to the appointment and permitted conduct of that person, who must be identified to the Committee before giving advice.

To view or print a summary of this Rule for club postings, click here.