Playing the Ball as It Lies 

There are two basic principles to always remember about golf: 

1. Play the ball as it lies. 
2. Play the course as you find it. 

Here are a few other basic rules you should understand to get started in golf. As you learn more about golfing, you will learn more about special situations and the rules that apply to them: 

Attending the Flagstick - Before and during a stroke the player may have the flagstick attended, removed or held to indicate the position of the hole. If your ball strikes the flagstick which is still in the hole when you are putting, you incur a penalty or loss of hole in matchplay or two stokes in stroke play. 

Ball in Motion - If a player's ball in motion, after the stroke, is deflected or stopped by a ball at rest, the player shall play the ball as it lies. 

Ball in Water Hazard - When your ball lands in a water hazard or lateral water hazard you may hit the ball if you can without grounding your club, or drop a ball and add one penalty stoke to your score (in one, out in two, hit in three) 

a) drop any distance behind the water hazard keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard and spot on which the ball is dropped, or 
b) play again from where you hit the ball into the hazard. 

Ball in Lateral Water Hazard - In addition to the above options, under penalty of one stoke, drop within two club lenghts of: 

a) the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard or
b) a point on the opposite side of the hazard equal distant from the hole. 

Ball lost Out of Bounds; Provisional - If the ball is lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, another ball must be played from where the last ball was played under penalty of one stroke. 

Casual water, GUR and abnormal ground conditions - If you ball is in casual water, ground under repair, a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal (eg rabbit), you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. 

Cleaning the Ball - A ball on the putting green can be cleaned when lifted. 

Obstructions - You may move any movable obstuction (artificial or man-made object). If your ball move replace it without penalty. You may drop the ball away from an immovable obstruction (sprinkler head, car path etc) if it interferes with your swing or stance, or the ball, without penalty. Find you nearest relief not nearer the hole and drop your ball within one club length. Always mark your ball before picking it up. No penalty. 

Playing Through - If a group is playing faster behind you, let them through. To do this hit your next shot if possible, then move to a safe place in the rough and wave the group behind you through. Walk up the fairway with them so you are ready to play your shot when they are out of the way. 

Playing the ball as it lies - The rules generally do not permit you to improve the position of your ball and you may not bend or break anything growing or fixed except in taking a fair swing. You are not allowed to press anything down but you can remove loose natural impediments such as stones, twigs or fallen leaves for no penalty, except in a hazard. In a bunker or water hazard, you are not allowed to ground your club before you hit the ball. 

Provisional Ball - If after playing a shot you think the ball may be out of bounds or lost, you may play a provisional ball. You must state it is a provisional ball before it is played. If the original ball is lost you must continue with the provisional ball under penalty of one stroke. If the ball is found you must continue to play with it and the provisional ball must be abandoned. 

Taking a drop - There are some instances under the rules of golf, where you can pick up the ball relocate it - sometimes with a penalty and sometimes free. To drop the ball, you must stand upright, hole the ball at shoulder height and arms length and simply drop it. If you drop it and it accidentally touches you, your partner or equipment and rolls closer to the hole, you must drop the ball again, without penalty.