There are some basic principles that don’t change. Here are three that won’t steer you wrong.

“Play the Ball as it Lies” - Start by hitting it from the teeing ground and do not touch it until the Rules allow you to touch it. For instance, the Rules allow you to mark the position of the ball and lift it when it’s on the putting green. The Rules also give you the option to lift the ball when you have interference from a cart path or a puddle of casual water among other things. Otherwise, keep hitting it without touching it until you get it into the hole.

“Play the Course as You Find It” - Part of the challenge of the game is to negotiate the course and its obstacles. If your ball is behind a tree or a building, you need to go around it not knock it down! If you have an uneven stance or a water hazard between you and the hole, you can’t pile dirt to level your stance or build a bridge over the hazard. Don’t change the course; adapt to the course and change your route to the hole.

“Start and Finish the Hole with the Same Ball” - The Rules will not allow you to substitute your shiny lucky putting ball when you get on the green. On occasion, the Rules will allow you to substitute a ball; sometimes with and sometimes without a penalty. Obviously, if you lose it in a water hazard, out of bounds or in a large puddle of casual water you can substitute a new ball. Or, if your ball is stuck up a tree and irretrievable you may substitute a ball instead of being forced to climb the tree. Hit it, find it, hole it and then change balls for the next hole if you wish.

Stick with these three principles and you’ll have a leg up on the crowd.

Remember, use the definitions, index or the table of contents to find the correct Rule that applies to the situation and follow the Rules of Golf to help yourself to enjoy the game of golf.