The 7 Weirdest Rules in Golf You Didn’t Know About

Hey there, golf enthusiasts! If you’ve ever stepped foot on a golf course, you know that few sports come with a rulebook as extensive and complicated as ours. Seriously, the official rulebook from the USGA and R&A clocks in at over 500 pages – it’s like trying to tackle War and Peace but way less exciting. Now, while most of us only need to remember a handful of basic rules to keep our game rolling, the golf rulebook has some truly bizarre and strange scenarios that might just catch you off guard. So, whether you’re a weekend warrior or looking to impress at your next tournament, let’s dig into some of the oddest rules you might encounter on the fairway!

1. The Cactus Rule – A Prickly Situation

Ever tried golfing in the desert? If so, you might want to familiarize yourself with the infamous Cactus Rule. Imagine this: you hit your ball into the desert and it lands right next to one of those prickly cacti. You pull out your trusty 7-iron, ready to get your ball back on the fairway, but you realize that a swing is going to send your arm straight into that thorny beast! Under Rule 1.2, you’re allowed to wrap your arm or leg in a towel for protection—talk about a life-saver. But hold up, before you think about wrapping that towel around the cactus itself for extra safety, think again. Nope, that’s a no-go!

2. No Relief From Oranges – Citrus Chaos!

Imagine you’re hitting the links in a citrus orchard. The scent of fresh oranges wafts through the air, and your ball lands smack dab in one of those juicy fruits. What’s your move? In this rare but possible scenario, the rules are clear: you don’t get relief. According to the rules, you’ve got two choices: play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable. That’s right, no orange juice breaks here—keep your eyes on the ball and hope it doesn’t get stuck!

3. Swinging at a Moving Ball in Water – Go for It!

This one might just blow your mind. If your ball rolls into a water hazard and starts to bob and weave with the waves, you’re actually allowed to hit it while it’s moving! Yep, you heard that right. Rule 14.6 gives you the green light to take a shot at that fluctuating ball, which isn’t the case for most other shots. Feel free to wait a sec if you think it will settle down closer to the hole, but remember—don’t drag it out just to gain an advantage. Keep it fair and square, folks!

4. Burrowing Animals Get You a Free Drop – But Not Just Any Animal

Got a gopher hole in your line of play? You’re in luck! Rule 16.1 states that if a burrowing animal messes with your shot, you’re entitled to a free drop. So if you find yourself in the woods and your lie is disturbed by some cheeky little gopher, just drop your ball and carry on like a champ. But hold your horses—if it’s just regular animal damage from roaming creatures like deer or bears, you’re out of luck and have to play it as it lies. Might want to watch out for those wandering critters next time!

5. Inside the Clubhouse? It’s Fair Game!

Here’s one that might just baffle your buddies on the green: you can technically play a shot from inside a clubhouse or other man-made structure, provided it’s not marked as out of bounds! That’s right, if you’ve got a clear swing and stance, you can take a whack from the halfway house or even the snack bar—though you might want to keep it to a minimum for the sake of decorum! Just be sure you’re not breaching any OB markers. “Hey, anyone mind if I open this window for a better shot?”

6. No Artificial Heating Your Golf Ball – Keep it Natural!

Now, here’s an interesting one for those chilly rounds of golf. Keeping your ball warm in your pocket is totally cool, but don’t even think about getting all high-tech with it! Rule 14.3 strictly prohibits artificially warming your golf ball during a round. So that means no electric warmers, no hot sauce, and definitely no grilling your ball on a George Foreman! Stick to the classic ‘keep it in the pocket’ method and you’ll be golden.

7. Headphones Are a No-Go – Stay Focused!

While you might be vibing to some tunes while practicing on the range, once you hit the course, headphones are a big no-no. Under Rule 14.3, using headphones or any audio devices during play is deemed an unfair advantage. While you might see pro golfers jamming out during practice, they’ve got to ditch those earphones before the real game begins. But don’t worry; blasting your music from a speaker is all good, just remember not to use it to block out distractions or hone your swing tempo.

So there you have it! Seven of the wackiest golf rules that you might not have known before. Golf can be a quirky game, and it’s always beneficial to know what’s what before you hit the course. Whether you’re a stickler for rules or just enjoying the laid-back vibe of the game, these nuggets could come in handy when you’re caught in a strange situation. Got any bizarre golf rules up your sleeve? Share them in the comments below!

Top Photo Caption: Matt Jones hits a golf shot during a LIV event. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)